SCENES FROM 2 FELL WALKS

With the advise and coaching of one of my Bardsea pub mates, John, I've taken up fell walking. The pack is 20-25 lbs, heavy boots and clothing to match, along with the safety gear that is always carried but I hope isn't required. 20-25 pounds isn't much, especially when one considers what our service personnel wear, but I passed 16 too many decades ago and respect what's left of my knees to be abusive to them, so I pursue my limitations hoping I don't actually reach them; failure being the result.

This is a view from the top of Scafell, the 2nd highest mountain in England. My 2 favorite walking companions & I reached the peak about 1:30 in the afternoon after starting about 10:30. We ate lunch here, then went down a little more than half our ascent, and started up the other side to reach the top of Scafell Pike about 3pm. Scafell Pike is the tallest mountain in England. I enjoyed Scafell better than Scafell Pike. Scafell Pike is a rock pile, and because it's the tallest, it attracts the crowds. Note the sweat soaked hat.

This is Lord's Rake, a gash in the side of Scafell that provides a scramble of a route up the major portion of Scafell. It seemed like a 45 deg pitch and several times we had to move aside as loose rocks would tumble as we sought our footing. There were just the 3 of us on Lord's Rack this morning.

Using the self timer, I took this shot from the top of Harter Fell. Although considered a mid range climb, this was and still is my most memorable walk. I had the top to myself for the hour I was there. There was virtually no wind that day, and the visibility was unlimited. Truely a spectacular day.

This view looks North from the top of Harter Fell. The two tallest peaks in England are in the distance and if you double click on the picture to blow it up, look carefully in the center of the bottom border and you'll see the remains of the Roman Fort; HardKnot Fort, so named for the pass it guards.

This is a typical view of the fells here in the lakes district. Is it any wonder people come from all over the world to visit the the Lakes District National Park? Fortunately for me, they concentrate in the eastern ends, leaving some of the western areas largely undiscovered. This view is in the western portion, west of Coniston.

This is a view of Portnahaven. It is a beautiful little town on the end of a long peninsula known as The Rinns of Islay. We found a great little pub here that served a cracking good seafood salad and fine beer.

Here's another view of Portnahaven. This is looking from NE to SW, across the harbour.

There are some beautiful beaches on Islay. This on is called The Strand and it goes on for miles. It is on Laggan Bay.

In WWI there were 2 transport ships sunk off of Islay (see older post for the American Monument). This cemetery contains the British seamen who perished. Of the 70+ graves, more than half are marked "Known only unto God".

This great private farm is open to the public to walk on their lands. Ardnave Farm is on the north end of yet another peninsula bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Loch Gruinart.

On the Atlantic coast is Machir Bay, with yet another great beach. Nope, didn't even put my toe in to check the temp. Islay's coast line is a coast of starkly different contrasts. Rocky cliffs that dive into the sea, beautiful beaches such as this, and everything b'twn.

This is another beautiful beach on the west (Atlantic) coast. This is at Saligo Bay.

This is known as Till Naoimh (Kilnave); the remains of an old church that served the once thriving population.

At the same church, another centuries old carved cross known as the Kilnave Cross. Although damaged, this is still impressive.

A view from Kilnave Church looking out over Loch Gruinart.

Finlaggan; once the seat of the Lords of the Isles. Built on a pair of Islands in Loch Finlaggan, it is where the seat of government was for all the western isles and a good portion of the Scottish coast.

A view of Finlaggan and the Loch that protected it.

A visit to Islay isn't complete until you've gone to a Whiskey distiller.

This 'safe' is where the distilled product is fed. The head distiller analyses when to capture for bottling, the right maturity of spirit.

These stills are gigantic. A lot of product can be done at once but it is the careful control of quality that brings out the best in the product.

Here's a view of the rugged south coast of The Oa of Islay. The Oa is a large land mass that is a peninsula off the SW corner of Islay.

This is the landward side of the American Monument. You can double click on the picture, then zoom in and read the plaque.

This is the seaward side of the American Monument on the point of The Oa of Islay.

Main Street in Bowmore looking out to Laggan Bay.

This is a view of the remain of Dunyvaig Castle. We were lucky to have such brilliant weather.

Kildalton Church has an 8th century cross in its cemetery. There are newer graves here too. Family history comes back to this place.

This is the Kildalton Cross, probably carved in the 2nd half of the 8th century. It is in remarkable condition and is said to be one of the best examples in Britain.

This is on the other side of the harbour from Port Ellen, across to Kilnaughton Bay.  This light is at Carraig Fhada, providing safe entrance into Port Ellen.

This little vacation spot was just up the road from Caladh Sona.   Was almost too tempting, so hard not to call the real estate agent!

This is the 2nd B&B we stayed in, also for 2 nights.  Another great place with wonderful hosts, right on the beach.

This is one of the places we ate dinner at.  In Port Ellen, there are just a few places to eat, and this was one that was always good and always consistent. 

This is the view from Samhchair B&B, the 2nd B&B we stayed in.  It looks east, back toward Port Ellen.

This is a view of Port Ellen, our first stopping point on Islay.  It is a wonderful little town, served by one of two ferry landing points on Islay. 

This is the B&B we stayed in while in downtown Port Ellen.  It is called Caladh Sona, and is in a great location, right in the center of town, right on the water front.  Our hosts were great and were very helpful in getting us where we needed to go.

Nice view of one of the 'back street' neighborhoods of Port Ellen.  We walked around here quite a bit and liked all of it.

The memorial to Islay's Great War Dead.  This is right in the center of the harbour area.

There are so many great little gardens it would be hard to pick a favorite but this one certainly rated high with us.  Might be because it is right on the waterfront and the background is hard to surpass. 

TRIP TO SCOTLAND;  DAY 1

We arrived in Alexandria, Scotland yesterday afternoon and checked into the B&B.  Went to explore the town park; Moss o' Balloch Park, and were surprised to find the annual Loch Lomond Highland Games were on!  There were many vendors and samples of Scotish food.  We heard the different pipe bands play and saw the awards ceremony. This video is an example of their skill.

ON THE OLD MAN OF CONISTON

Up in the Lake District while fell walking, the weather can change very rapidly.  This video is an example of just how fast those weather changes can occur.  I was caught in a situation with two other hikers that illustrated the danger.  The clouds enveloped us, cut visibility down to 40 yards in about 2 minutes, and then it rained, hard.  The three of us decided to stick together and Chris, Sharon and I helped each other down.  At one point, the temptation rose to take a path that could have resulted in injury.  But we consulted, got to the right decision and we emerged from the clouds 1/2 way down the peak, safe & sound.  All in all, it was a great experience and we learned a lot, trusting each other was the most important of all I think.