This was a walk that was organized by a walking mate through the Walkers Forum and also on facebook and was done to try and raise a few quid and also awareness of a worthy cause, The Calvert Trust. The idea is that each member that attends the meet up's donates one or
more items, these could be anything to do with walking, camping or the
outdoors. For example, a spare walking pole, or a spare head torch -
anything that you think could raise money no matter how small. These
items will then be sold on stalls at the Rheged Centre in Penrith, and
all money raised will be donated to the Calvert Trust.
Although there wasn't a great number of people on this walk, it all went smoothly and it was a great pleasure to meet and walk with Sir Chris Bonington who is a supporter of the Calvert trust and donated one or two of his jackets to help raise some funds.
Although the day was a bit overcast at times, any amount of rain stayed away as we made our way from Threlkeld and followed a nice and steady path that took us along the bottom of Gategill Fell and Doddick Fell to the steep climb up on to Scales Fell
Gate Gill
nice and gentle path
Through the bracken
Mind your step
Doddick Gill
the steep climb up Scales Fell
Our first look at Sharp Edge
Our way up to Scales Tarn
We made steady progress and was soon making our way up to Scales Tarn where there was a sudden change in the weather. It wasn't rain but really strong winds. In fact it did it's best to blow us off our feet at one point. We had decided to have a break here for something to eat while we decided which route to take. Despite the wind, five of us decided to tackle Sharp Edge led by Sir Chris Bonington while the others decided on the more straight forward ascent of the well defined path from the Tarn to the summit of Blencathra
Sharp Edge overlooking Scales Tarn
Taking a break before we tackle Sharp Edge
About to start Sharp Edge (photo courtesy of Clive)
Scales Tarn from Sharp Edge showing the path the others took
Although it was very windy around Scales Tarn, there was, to our surprise, very little wind on Sharp Edge which made it a very pleasant crossing as two of our party hadn't done it before. It's no place to get caught out by very windy conditions as there are steep drops but this time it couldn't of gone any better. A great scramble
Ricardo on the crest
Looking down Sharp Edge
Sir Chris leads the way
Scales Tarn far below
The Famous five conquer Sharp Edge (photo courtesy of Clive)
We topped out on Blencathra and made our way across the plateau where the mist had started to roll in a bit and the wind was quite strong as well. Although not thick mist we still had some views but the wind made sure we didn't hang around for too long. We met the others on the summit and had a group photo before we made our way along the path to Blease Fell, from where we made our descent
Blencathra Summit Plateau
Blencathra summit (photo courtesy of Fiona)
A misty view from the summit with Halls Fell Ridge on the right
On the way to Blease Fell
Looking back to Blencathra summit from Blease Fell
The way down from Blease Fell with a view of Derwent Water
The descent was straight down and onto a zig-zag path before going though thick bracken and coming out in the village of Thelkeld from where we started. In to the local pub for a drink and a chat and also a chance to get to hear a tale or two from Sir Chris Bonington and have a photo taken with this very charming and down to earth person. A great honour to walk with him and another great day out to remember
The steep descent of Blease fell
on to more level ground
view over to High Rigg
Through the bracken
Sir Chris holding court
A pleasure to meet you sir :-)
A great day out with great company and hopefully some money raised for a great cause. Thanks to Richard for organizing the day and also a big thanks to Sir Chris Bonington for his time and his donations.
Cheers
So that's the big tent put away for another year then!! It's only been out twice this year due to other commitments but it's worth it for a few days away. The Llyn Peninsula in North Wales is a place we have looked at going for some time. It was one of the very first times that I camped out, back in the days of motorbikes and no motorways and it took forever to get there. That time me and a couple of mates had a big old canvass tent that had seen better days but it was to be home for the weekend as we took in the delights of Abersoch . Fast forward a few years, marriage and a couple of kids and it was in the caravans of Green Acres Holiday Park and the Black Rock sands that took up a few weekends to keep the kids happy. This weekend was to be a bit more gentle and quieter as we found a small campsite a couple of miles from the quaint seaside village of Aberdaron on the tip of the Peninsula. The campsite was the Bryn Tawel and is the ideal site if you want some peace and quiet away from the more busier sites nearer to the beaches.
The small campsite with the separate playing field in front
View from the back of the tent as the sun goes down over the coast
After taking it easy late Friday afternoon and into the evening we had decided to pay a visit to Aberdaron for a look round and also a short walk along the cliff tops on part of the Llyn Coastal Path.
We got parked up and headed for the beach where we walked across the rocks, as the tide was in, to pick up the path that led us up on to the high track above the coastline
The rocky walkway
The path leading from the beach to the cliff tops
View back down to Aberdaron and the beaches
This proved to be a good gentle walk round the top following the coastline with only one really steep descent and re-ascent as you get to Porth Meudwywhere you catch the boat for trips out to Bardsey Island
View of Porth Meudwy from the Wales Coastal Path
People waiting for the ferry
The ferry on it's way to Bardsey Island
Fisherman trying his luck
It was quite warm as we made our way round the gentle and easy to follow path that offered some good views of the coast and also of a few small coves that were below us. We passed the old harbour at Porth Pistyll from where granite was shipped from Graig y Cwlwm Quarry. There are the remains of an old pulley on the beach and also on the grass bank next to the path we were on
The view of our way forward with the old building down below
The view looking back to Aberdaron
The old harbour at Porth Pistyll from where granite was shipped from Graig y Cwlwm Quarry.
Another old pulley next to the path we are on
It's a long way down, above another cove
Looking back along the path and down on the cove
Bardsley Island
No sign of any seals or Dolphins
We were now at the tip of the Peninsula with Bardsley Island in full view. From here we made our way to the stone cairn on Pen y Cil and admired the views all round. Although there are meant to be quite a few Grey Seals and the odd Dolphin around these parts, on this walk we didn't spot any. The only wildlife we did see was quite a lot of butterflies, seagulls, ravens and a few kestrels.
A Kestrel over the sea
View back to a distant Aberdaron from Pen y Cil
Pen y Cil stone cairn
Bardsley Island with a few locals
We decided that we would retrace our steps from here and head back the same way. It was such a warm day that we took it easy and tried to spot some seals, which we didn't. It also gave us a chance to admire the views back towards Aberdaron and look forwards to having a play on the beach :-)
Back along the coastal path
View towards Aberdaron
Nooks and cranny's along the cliff bottom
Porth Meudwy
Aberdaron Beach
Couple of houses with great sea views
Messing on the beach where the sea was a few hours ealier
YAAAAAAAAAAA
View back along the beach and the cliff top walk
After we had devoured a lovely ice cream we decided that we'd drive a few miles round the coast to another beach, Porth Oer (whistling sands) This is another popular beach and another that is on the Wales Coastal Path. We again had a very short walk along the beach and up on to the path we some great views of the beach and out to sea
Whistling Sands Beach
Whistling Sands Beach
A small cove next to Whistling Sands
Overgrown and little used Wales Coastal Path above Whistling Sands
Whistling Sands Beach South
Whistling Sands Beach North
Happy feet :-)
All that was left to do was have another bbq as we watched the sun go down on yet another great day out on the coast of Wales
mmmmmmmmmmmm
The sun going down on another beautiful day
When we got back to the tent I went down the lane to see what was making a really loud noise. I found a bull in one field that looked like he was trying to pick a fight with the bull across the road who had all the ladies. Quite funny but as the wind had picked up the sound isn't great.
