Bannerdale, Angle Tarn, High Street, Steel Knotts. Wed 09 Feb 2005

Eric's giving it a miss today so I'm walking on my own. I arrived in Martindale to the east of Ullswater and left the car near St Martin's Church. It was overcast and slight drizzle as I set off up the valley to the south, heading towards Dale Head. There was still some storm damage around due to trees falling on walls. At Dale Head the path goes round the farm and then diagonally up the fell side but soon splits. The main trail goes up to Beda Fell but I continued up Bannerdale, following the minor trail. At first I couldn't see how it climbed to summit above but eventually saw the way ahead. I found it a delight to climb. Spectacular views down the valley and a steady gradient made it very enjoyable. It didn't seem long before the gradient eased and I was strolling across to the main path by Angle Tarn. Without doubt this is the best way to the tarn and is probably hardly ever used. I followed the main path to the SE and up to 'The Knott' where I saw my first and only walker of the day. The cloud level was just clipping High Raise and as I set up for a photo the view vanished just before I pressed the shutter release. I then headed north along High Street, following the line of the old Roman road all the way to Keasgill Head.

Bannerdale from Steel Knotts.

Ruin by Gowk Hill.

St Martin's Church, Martindale

St Martin's (interior)

The path down by Brownthwaite Crag we a delight. Well-constructed and nice green grass for most of its route. Below me were Howgrain Beck and the little Church of St Martin and it's attendant yew tree, which is reputed to be 1,300 years old.