Clougha and a bit of culture.

 Monday 26th April 2021 - Clougha Pike - Grit Fell

The objective today: Andy Goldsworthy's installation near (supposedly) Clougha Pike. Andy is a British sculptor who has created many drystone wall works of art scattered around the globe and other varied artwork. Have a look at Wikipedia if you want to learn more of his metaphysical rationales for his works and his biography.

With Lockdown at bay and spring on the march I wore shorts for the first time this year.

Four years ago I ascended Clougha Pike with full knowledge of a dire forecast for a foul day with persistent rain and limited visibility. That could only have been indulgent masochism. I had already walked a couple of miles before seeing these cyclists at the Jubilee Tower from where I launched off into peat bog and swamp.  Click here if you want to know more.

Today was complete contrast with blue sky and in company with BC. We were on old tracks including an old cobbled lane where we found the "relic of all relics" for my photo file of abandoned and decaying items in the countryside. At a farm we chatted and learnt of the arduous efforts made in the early days of industrial revolution  to divert water for wheel powered mills. We crossed the path of the aqueduct that runs by gravity only from Haweswater to supply Manchester. The line is dotted with the unique waterboard iron gates, often stood alone in the middle of fields.

Rather than cross pathless moorland from Clougha summit to Andy's installation we went by Grit Fell and then onto a proper road scarring across the moorland for the grouse shooters. Grouse were evident frequently and unusually tame, probably because all their predators have been exterminated.

Andy's triple thingy was impressive, and even more so when viewed from inside where the drystone structure is  skilfully corbelled so that one seemed to be inside an egg. Andy Goldsworthy's features are certainly worth a visit. I have been to others and they are not always easy to access.

As we marched on the long descending grouse road BC was reminded of a climbing quarry which he had helped to pioneer many years ago. We only located this after having passed by and a chance look back after being distracted by crossing an aqueduct for the aforementioned pipeline from Haweswater. This was a substantial multi-arch affair demonstrating the amount of effort expended just to cross a tiny stream in a deep ravine, and that along with many other similar engineering endeavours over the 70 miles or so distance.  Construction took place between 1933 and 1955. 

We retraced to the quarry to find a couple of climbers in situ and BC was able to have a good old reminisce.

Another fifteen minutes on a good path had us back to our parking at Rigg Lane.

Onto tracks after half a mile walking down the road from the car parking

Old cobbled lane - atmospheric Industrial Revolution stuff

What a gem of a relic. Note also the old barn behind

With the help of the Chrysler badge on the bonnet I was able to identify the model back at home

Avenger, early/mid seventies. It was a good rally car in its day but not much good otherwise.

Good going on the way to Clougha

Why do they use this stuff.? I suspect it is some kind of subconscious protest

Clougha summit

I've become as bit carried away recently putting rondels on my model aircraft - it must be catching

A lonely pine. Pining for the The Two Blondes to come and decorate at Christmas?

Conspiracy theorists may say they are Stone Age beam-me-up-machines?

The Haweswater pipeline aqueduct. The quarry is behind my left shoulder