12th July, Middle Fell and St Bees

With my back and hip problems forcing and end to my serious fellwalking I really wanted one last visit to somewhere relatively high to take in the views. A few days of fairly gentle walks, a good weather forecast and a plan, all was looking good except the weather as we awoke to slate grey skies and low cloud!

Patience won the day, in late morning the clouds began to clear and off we set from the cottage door to Middle Fell, 582 metres 1909 feet and a great summit for views of the big Lakeland Fells. We took a very gentle ascent route.

Greendale Gill is a splendid place, the beck gushes down with regular waterfalls.

Reaching the tarn we took a good long break to recharge the energy levels before the final climb up to the summit.

Keeping an eye out for wildlife at all times I spotted this lovely wheatear.

Time though now to head up to the col, a wide vista appears up here with a look back to the tarn and a lovely view of Haycock and Red Pike (Wasdale).

This pair of locals were keeping a close eye on our progress:-)

And so to the final push to the top, as the summit ridge is crested a stunning view appears out across Yewbarrow to Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Lingmell and The Scafells with numerous others playing a supporting role.

We made our way up to the summit and enjoyed a leisurely lunch break, this meadow pipit joined us for a while.

A closer view of Lingmell and the Scafells.

And for a grand change of scale a tiny toadstool!

Time to leave now though, a couple of summit shots before we do...Josie by the cairn and Dave in simlilar fashion.

Plenty of memories up there and a fitting goodbye to the fells that have played a large part in my life, a very careful descent as tired legs became a little jelly like!

Looking westwards over Nether Wasdale..

....and back to the Scafells

Back at the cottage we had a lengthy rest and then with a flask of coffe we headed to St Bees to enjoy some sea views and the warm sunshine.

The Isle of Man showing fairly clearly through the haze of the sea.

Dramatic St Bees Head in the bright sunshine.

Back in Wasdale the lake was in reflective mood and a perfect for photography.

One final shot of a panorama I took earlier in the day from the sumit of Middle Fell, a super day, happy memories!