For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

We had been phoned up the previous night by our son asking if we could look after the eldest granddaughter for the day and were pleased to oblige. This morning we phoned our daughter up to arrange to pick up the other granddaughter and all seemed to be going smoothly. However when we went round to my sons house it was to find the No.1 granddaughter was unwell and not able to do even this easy walk. To cut a long story short No.1 granddaughter (Renee) stayed with Edith at our house whilst I took No.2 granddaughter (Sophie) for this short walk. Note: No.1 and N.2 refer to dates born and not favourites just in case they read this.

Route Map

Having left the car in a lay-by on A65 we took the lane nearby to access the fell. Here's Sophie looking all innocent but she's tomboy.

The path rises fairly gently but Sophie was most concerned about my breathing until I explained.

The pepper-pot like building where we leave this path to head up towards the summit.

How she's keeping that top on beats me. It's really warm.

The summit comes in sight....."Signs of the earliest occupation of the parish include earthworks on the summit of The Helm, which could be an Iron Age fort. It is likely that the Romans used The Helm in conjunction with the Roman fort at Watercrook"....Wikipedia

It is a great viewpoint despite its lack of height. Today however it is very hazy and the views are restricted.

Looking over the village of Natland towards Scout Scar.

Sophie makes friends with a couple of black terrier pups who are up here for the first time.

A look southwards as we approach the summit with Arnside Knott in the centre.

Sophie at The Helm.......and that tops gone now!!

Despite my protestations she insisted that I have my picture taken......didn't she do well!

Taking in the views helped no doubt by a drink of juice.

The Howgill Fells just visible through the haze.

The path follows the ridge along....

....although we would leave it near this pair of gorgeous Rowan trees.

The land to the right of the wall was purchased by The Friends of the Lake District one of the areas main campaigning groups and the only charity wholly dedicated to protecting Cumbria's landscape for the future.....More Info.....HERE. 

We took the path through the gate which eventually led us to this small tarn. It had been the intention to stop here for a snack but there was an over abundance of insect life so we returned to the ridge.....

....where having passed through another gate we had our snack on that little rocky knoll on the other side.

Snack completed it was straight ahead towards Benson Knott in the distance.

She's got her eye on that white building below us.....I wonder why.

Another wonderful Rowan.

Suddenly there was a blur of fur and Sophie was nearly overpowered by this friendly chappie.

This is the building Sophie had her eye on.....The Station Inn was formerly a farmhouse and dates back to around the start of the last century.....but there's more!!

It also as these chappies nearby....

Mmmm....think it's called Glenn after a certain footballer who sported a similar Mullet haircut.

But I think this is what really caught her eye....the adventure playground.

Nasty Granddad is up to his tricks here....."Sophie, I bet you can't suck that piece of lemon and smile at the same time".......Sophie..."Bet I can!!"

LOL......Think I win!!!!.....love her to bits really.

After the drinks and a play it was time to make our way back. This can be done either back over the top or along the flank of The Helm or as we did along the very quiet road beneath it.

All too soon we were back at the car after an enjoyable trip out which was made all the better to find that on our return Renee was feeling a lot better to.

Next Walk:     16th August 2010 - Lake District - Barrow from Uzzicar

Last Walk:     14th August 2010 - Arnside & Silverdale - Warton Crag

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