Skelghyll Wood

The day had turned out surprisingly warm. The lambs in the fields seemed to be taking it easy with most of them catching some sleep in the grass. I headed up the road to Skelghyll Wood. I spent a few minutes following a bee about to see if I could get a good photo. This provided much amusement to some walkers, who I'd not noticed, further up the path. I was more lucky getting a picture of a Robin who was having an afternoon snack. There were plenty of people coming down the path. Maybe they were doing the round trip with Wansfell Pike and Troutbeck.

 Jenkin Crag

I turned off the path over to the rocky outcrop that is Jenkin Crag. It has a wonderful view over Lake Windermere to the Coniston and Langdale fells, although it is a little obscured by the surrounding trees. Three women arrived at the crag as I was taking photos and we chatted for a while. Once our conversation ended I started making my way back to the main path. I almost reached the path when I heard a roar behind me; a huge plane was making its way over Lake Windermere. I dashed back to see if I could grab a photo, but  I was only able to see the massive tail wing disappear behind the trees.  What a miss! If only I'd stayed on the crag a few more seconds when talking to the women, I'd have got the perfect shot.  I did photograph a helicopter heading for Langdale, before I'd entered Skelghyll Wood, but a photo of that huge plane would have been better. 

Buzzard, Bluebells And Brooks

I headed up the path that takes you to the top of Wansfell Pike. The woodland floor was awash with bluebells. I spotted a buzzard soaring in circles above the trees but I couldn't get a good picture because of the branches and leaves. I arrived at a crossroad of paths. Carrying on straight across and uphill would have taken me up Wansfell Pike. I took the left path that contours along the hillside through woodland . Before leaving the wood I crossed a stream which I believe to be Stencher Beck.

Blue Hill Wood

It was good to reach open fell and see the neighbouring fells again. I searched the skies, hoping that the buzzard might have followed me along the hill. No luck. Just a few crows having some fun. I climbed a small hillock and had a tremendous view of the Fairfield Horseshoe. Looking down into Ambleside, there were so many trees around St Mary's church, it looked as though it was located in a wood. It seems a lot more urban when you are down there.

I made my way down through Blue Hill Wood and back into Ambleside. The walk had only taken me about an hour but was really good value.