Skeggles Water

Monday 30th April

As I write I am three walking blog posts behind. I have had this circuit on my mind since walking part of it back in 2016 during the Outlying Fells campaign, and I quote from my post on that occasion http://conradwalks.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=Skeggles+Water

W. refers of course to the old curmudgeon Alfred Wainwright.

W. gives the option of a detour to Skeggles Water, only a few hundred yards each way, and I opted out of this. But I was a bit taken aback with W's dismissive comments...

"Skeggles Water, lying in a vast bowl of heather, is conveniently visited on this walk but is an uninviting place with attractions mainly for bird watchers and anglers."

... almost as if those two  pass-times were the lowest of the low. I think he must have walked this one in a narky mood. He may have had a wake-up if he'd asked some bird watchers or anglers about their opinions of fell walkers.

My walk started in Long Sleddale where there are very few opportunities to park, and the drive in is long and harassing on single track road with few passing places. Fortunately there is a car park at the church with an honesty box only a few hundred yards from where I wanted to launch onto my route.

At the house/farm marked Hollin Root on the map I was searching for the continuation of the path which doubles back up the hillside here when I suddenly heard crazy screechy, frenetic shouting from somewhere near the house, but I was looking into the sun and couldn't source the exact spot, but presumed from tone and noise that I was being told off. Then I saw a crazy looking old lady leaning out of an upper window and I headed back towards the house with the intention of placating this harridan, but she had now disappeared and I saw nor heard no more of her as I got myself back onto the proper track. 

The rest of the walk was on an old lane, and then established cropped turf bridleway, pleasant enough, but badly rutted therefore preventing walking with any kind of rhythm.

I deployed the new seat two thirds of the way round. I am finding that I need it to be on a slope or with a wall behind so I have something to push on when I want to arise, but I am certainly finding it a useful piece of kit.

Looking north up Long Sleddale

A short steep spell up this rocky lane led out onto level open moorland and rutted track

The outflow from Skeggles Water - at the point marked "Green Quarter Fell" on the map below

South to Skeggles Water from the slopes of Cocklaw Fell