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.

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We were unsure of where to go for a walk this morning. The day had started dull & grey again but the weatherman was promising some brightness in the afternoon. I decided to drive up through the centre of the Lakes and take it from there and by the time we reached Grasmere I was beginning to regret this decision. However as we made our way up Dunmail Raise some brightness started to appear to the west. We carried on towards Keswick and there was some sun about as we drove down Borrowdale which tempted me to drive over Honister into Buttermere....the rest is below.

Our Route

I was thinking that maybe we had made the wrong decision to leave Borrowdale for Buttermere as we ascended Honister but as we dropped down into the valley some blue sky appeared over the High Stile ridge.

Normally when doing this walk we start from Buttermere where parking for National Trust members is free. Today however not knowing how long we would keep the sun I was extravagant and shelled out the £3.00 required to park at Gatescarth Farm. It also gave the option of a cafe stop at Buttermere.

From the farm there was a short walk down the road towards Buttermere...

...and in a short while we were down on the shores of Buttermere. There are two options from whence the name is derived....One, that Buttermere means "the lake by the dairy pastures" (from the Old English "butere mere")...The second that it comes from the Old Norse personal name "Buthar", as in "Buthar's mere" (lake). This accords with local tradition which says that the valley of Buttermere was part of the holdings of an 11th century Norse chieftain called "Buthar" (sometimes spelt "Boethar")

A look across to High Crag and High Stile as we enjoy the morning sun.

It is far from being a perfect day but I would have gladly settled for this as we left home earlier.

The sun interferes a little as we take a look back towards Haystacks.

The path eventually leads down to the waters edge as we approach Crag Wood.

Hassness is hidden behind the woods with Goat Crag behind.

Behind us the drifting clouds passing before the sun were making lots of spotlights on the water.

Down the lake a hazy Mellbreak never revealed itself fully all the day.

Into the tunnel...

...and a look back we as emerge....a 30 metre tunnel, cut into solid rock. Word has it that in the 19th Century, the owner of the large country house above the headland "Hassness" had his labourers cut the tunnel by hand to give them something to do in the long winter months......wonder what was wrong with darts and dominoes?  ;-)

As we approached Pike Rigg it was quite dull both in front and behind us yet me were still enjoying the sun...

Walking through the woods.

We have now left the waterside and are making our way towards Wilkinsyke Farm...

....where we stopped at the cafe for a brew and cake.

A look up to St James's Church at Buttermere as we continue.

The rather aptly named Bridge Hotel at Buttermere...

....and The Fish....Once home to Mary Robinson - The Maid of Buttermere.

Some recent arrivals to the valley....the Hardwick's will be along later.

The view up Buttermere towards Fleetwith Pike is somewhat restricted today but who cares, just being here is enough.

Looking across Buttermere to High Snockrigg.

A teasing glimpse of the Grasmoor fells as we look back.

Despite the rather dull conditions there was still some delightful light on the lake as the sun peeped through at times.

Slowly but surely we make our way towards the head of the lake.

Looking over to Hassness.

Looking down the lake from Peggy's Bridge...

...and towards Haystacks from the same place.

Fleetwith Edge from near the farm. Fanny Mercer's Cross is just visible if you look carefully.

And finally....back to the car.

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Next Walk:      18th March 2012 - Arnside & Silverdale AONB - An Highland feast on Arnside Knott.

Last Walk:       12th March 2012 - Yorkshire Dales - A Malham walkabout.

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