Staveley to Kentmere Hall, over Garburn Pass down to Dubbs Reservoir and on to Orrest Head (view point).

I caught the bus to Staveley and walked up the narrow road past the weir.

It's the hottest day so far this year.

I continue up the road and eventually get off road. Now I start running up the hillside track.

Looking back the hill in the distance is Reston Scar. For those running in tomorrow's trail races, that's where they will be heading.

I follow the steep path up through farmland.

I can see the wall (just beyond those trees) that I will be running behind on my way to Kentmere Hall.

I look back and can see way into the distance, south towards Kendal.

The fells look very tempting today.

I can look down into the valley bottom now. The ponds were man made. Something to do with the Diatomite Works. No longer operational.

I'm now at the wall that I could see in the distance. I can make out Kentmere Church. That is the start of the Garburn Pass.

The track heads down hill now, I'm grateful for the descent.

This is Kentmere Hall (farm). The left hand building is centuries old, but in a state of decay now.

To my delight I find a shortcut up through a field. My delight is short lived as I arrive at the top of a little mound to find a bull. I do a big detour round the edge of the field and after negotiating a couple of walls am on to the track that leads up Garburn.

The track winds its way steeply up to the top. I'm very hot so do considerable amount of walking on this bit.

The view from the top towards Red Screes, which is just above Kirkstone Pass Inn. (Highest pub in England possibly, would have to check).

I've done this as a walk many times. It is always great to be on top of the world.

I'm dropping down into the Troutbeck Valley. To the north is Froswick, Ill Bell and Thornthwaite Beacon.

The little dip in the sky line is Threshthwaite Mouth, pronounced Threshet Mouth. Love that name.

The path has been fixed pretty well on the way down, although I very nearly measured my length on this stretch. I'm getting tired with the heat.

I get to Dubbs Reservoir. It supplies water to Windermere.

In the Lake District you will see lots of these gates. They were put there by the Water Board.

I get past the reservoir and decide I have enough energy to investigate a grassy footpath.

Just round the bend I meet some cattle on the path. I climbed up onto the wall which was quite high and start to walk along the top. The cattle turn tail and trot off. I had a bit of trouble getting off the wall. Then round the corner there is a stile into a field so I hop over that. The path disappears, but I keep going towards Orrest Head. more cows, arghhh! I walk round the edge of the field and they turn and look at me. I got to the gate and had to climb over as it was padlocked!

I was rewarded with a view of a roe deer that must have heard me coming and quickly raced off into the wood. As I approach the wood, I was VERY lucky to see the tail end of a red squirrel whizzing up an oak tree.

I head up Orrest Head through the bluebells. It is still very warm.

Orrest Head is always worth a visit on a nice day for the views.

Looking north to the Lakeland Fells.

Looking south you can see Windermere. There are a few benches up here so I pause for a breather.

 

I leave the top to head down for the village of Windermere. I see 3 jays.

The path goes down through a wood before joining the main Ambleside to Kendal road.

I arrive at Windermere Station with 4 minutes to wait for my bus back to Kendal. Just time to buy a butty from Booths.

On my way through Staveley I notice they are starting to get things ready for the fell races tomorrow. Staveley is only a small village, but has great community spirit and they will have lots of things for the whole family to do. I hope to enter next year.

Walk from Thirlmere up towards Brown Cove Crag.

This is looking up at Brown Cove Crag (the little bump on the top) from near the start of the path. I have done this walk many times. One day I hope to be able to run up to the top and along to Helvellyn summit, but not today.

The path has been "improved" by the National Trust/National Park workers.

 Looking back down the path from about quarter of the way up you get a fabulous view of Thirlmere It serves Manchester with water. It is gravity fed and was a great feat of engineering by the Victorians.

It was a miserable day and I had not packed a waterproof, so only went about a third of the way up to Brown Cove Crag today.

This is the middle part of one of my regular runs. It takes me off road at the Radio Mast, does a loop and returns to the Radio Mast.

After going through a small wood, the path opens onto farmland.

I turn down Gamblesmire Lane heading towards Cunswick Hall Farm.

 I've passed the farm and this is the view looking back at the farm. You can just see the Radio Mast on the top of the hill towards the left hand side.

 No idea what happened here, I think it is a picture of my t-shirt!! LOL

 I keep going until I come to the stile which leads into this magical little wood. Loads of garlic about to burst into flower.

 It's only a short time in the wood before I'm back out into a field that leads across to the bottom of the Scar.

 I'm now starting to climb up through the wood towards the Scar.

 Lovely violets on the path and at the edge.

 Primroses have come out, I'm sure they weren't flowering last week.

 Half way up the wood is a small ramshackled well. I would drink from it if I really had to, but it's great for scooping water on your head when it gets hot.

 This is the steepest bit of this half of the run, but it doesn't take long.

 Through a stile at the top and I'm in rabbit heaven. They scurry into the gorse and undergrowth, but I know they are there watching me!

 The views open out and you can see the Lakeland Fells in the distance. Unfortunately it's a bit hazy today.

 After a bit more climbing I reach the top of Cunswick Scar. Now I am going back to where I set off but I am going parallel to the Scar rather than back down to the farm. You may be able to make out the Radio Mast on the horizon.

 I'm looking down at the farm, now.

 Little bit of uphill back towards the Radio Mast.

 The gate you can see is where I turned down Gamblemires Lane. You can see the Radio Mast on the horizon.

 I continue along back to the stile/gate that leads into the wood where the Mast is.

 This path is strewn with exposed roots, which can be dicey when wet. No problem today.

 Back at the Mast. Most enjoyable walk on a wonderful summer's day.