Smardale Gill

Distance: 9 miles
Ascent: 200m... if that...
Weather: rain on and off, occasional blue sky and sunshine.
Buzzards, heron, goldfinches,  long-tailed tits, red squirrel, nuthatch (probably), pixie goblet lichen

It was raining very heavily as we set off, the lanes running with water and the ground very muddy. The streams and rivers were full and fast running. The path crossed a few pillow mounds (in italics) and across grass fields with sheep to Smardale Bridge which is on the C2C path. We weren't on it for long, turning off almost straight away along Smardale Gill a very pretty valley above Scandal Beck. We saw buzzards and a red squirrel on a dry stone wall. The rain eased off and eventually stopped,  blue skies appearing and a view brief patches of sunshine.

We carried on beyond the viaduct into the nature reserve, where we did some bird watching, frustratingly lacking in binoculars or zoom camera. Here we saw a couple of trains crossing the Smardale Viaduct which is on the Settle to Carlisle line. At the end of the reserve,  we turned back towards the viaduct (taking a detour down into the treed valley, but didn't see anything very interesting down here) and then met some other walkers who soon turned back, surprisingly, seeing as they were about three minutes away from seeing a view of the very impressive Smardale Gill viaduct. It was quite windy as we crossed, then carried on along the dismantled railway line, passing lime kilns and interesting fungi, back into Newbiggin-on-Lune and afternoon tea at the garden centre.

After lunch we waited a short time for the heavy rain shower to pass, then followed the path and bridleway to Ravenstonedale.

Ravenstonedale Common

Distance: nearly 11 miles
Ascent: 830m
Weather: wet and windy
Goldfinches,  heron, wet sheep

The forecast for today was for light rain. It wasn't actually raining when we set off, but it wasn't long before it started.  We walked through Ravenstonedale village and along a very wet track up into the low cloud to Knott, where it was also windy.

We dropped down off the ridge and contoured around towards Knoutberry, with misty views of Gais Gill and its waterfall,  and then up to Green Bell (605m.)

The going was grassy and wet, a little slippy in places as the ground was sodden but pretty firm overall. We crossed over a col and headed up to Randygill Top, which was the highest point of the day at 624m. From here we went north to Hooksey,  our last Hill of the day,  and then followed the clear track along and down the ridge to Weasdale. Here we took a detour through the nature reserve over to Newbiggin-on-Lune for a fine afternoon tea at the garden centre, watching the wind and rain against the conservatory windows. By this time,  we were both pwt. Questions will be asked later.

Fine footpaths through fields took us back to Ravenstonedale,  the skies clearing slightly - although the rain didn't stop.

Marsden Moor, over March Hill

Distance: 9 miles
Ascent: 450m
Weather: blue sky, warm
Kestrels, long tailed tits,  geese formations.

 

After a fairly late decision to go for a walk (germs permitting) and it being a lovely morning,  we weren't sure if there would be any space in our chosen car park up on Marsden Moor, but there was, and we were set off walking by 11.20am. We went east along the Pennine Way, but soon turned up a path north towards March Hill, following some off road bikes in the distance.

 

I had a play in a boggy bit, then washed hands and antibacc'd, hopefully sufficiently.  As we were coming down the other side of the hill, we saw the off roaders making their way up to the main road, apart from one who was having a bit of difficulty.

 

The day was warmer than expected,  so there was some decoating,  and also some dark contrast in the shadows, making it quite hard at times to see the muddy path under the grass / reeds. Coming to the lane, there was a lot of wet and a bit of map reading practice.

 

Lunch was had overlooking Marsden, stunning in the autumn sunshine and we were visited by ladybirds and butterflies.

 

We went over Pule Hill, the incline (dis) remaining dis today. There was a couple lads coming up the other way, one of whom was struggling a bit and making some rather distressing noises. We gained an hour on Standedge Edge, enjoying the afternoon not quite setting sun.