Scandale Valley

The wind tried its best to prevent our progress up the Scandale Valley. Many new trees have been planted in the valley, almost up to the top of the pass. It will look totally different in a few years time. It makes me wonder how they will fare against a wind like that of today. 

At the top of the pass we set up camp behind the shelter of a stone wall to have some grub. The route was busy today, with five other people preceding us up the steep slope to the summit of Red Screes. The wind was strong, but it wasn't cold enough to ice the slope. 

Red Screes

It was blowing hard on the top of Red Screes. I held on to the trig point in order to try and steady the camera. It looked a long way down to the Kirkstone Road. We could see that the Kirkstone Inn was free of snow. It wasn't a day for hanging about and so we set off on the gradual descent back to Ambleside. It was good to have the wind assisting us for the first time in the day. We managed to find another stone wall to shelter behind to have the remainder of our grub. I always like the descent from Red Screes. It is easy and there is always that wonderful view of Windermere directly ahead of you to keep you entertained. The clouds still looked a bit threatening.

Kirkstone Cattle

The path eventually led us to the Kirkstone-Ambleside Road. As we walked down the road a field full of Highland Cattle appeared to be having a mad half hour. This involved lots of mooing, a little bit of stampeding and even a bit of horn clashing with each other. I'm not sure what had spooked them. I took a photo of one near the gate and he did look rather mad with bulging eyes and a drooling mouth.

Half an hour after finishing the walk, Fairfield and Red Screes were illuminated with sunlight. Sometimes you just get your timing a little wrong with the weather.