The Day

Today, Easter Saturday, was extremely windy, as forecast. There would also be poor visibility on and around the higher peaks. It was definitely a day for staying low. While some did a valley walk in Ennerdale, three of us decided to explore the way from Wasdale Head to Booth in Eskdale. The OS® map indicated the "Bulatt Bridge" across the Whillan Beck which is fed by Burnmoor Tarn. Unfortunately, we found that the bridge is no more. Crossing the remaining slippery stumps of the bridge in a cold 40 mph wind was too risky, but we had a good work out anyway.

This is Burnmoor Tarn. The apparently tranquil landscape is beset by a
raging gale, but this does not show up in the picture.

Setting Off

The first stage of the walk takes us past the National Trust Scafell Car Park and Camp Site. We have nice views over Wast Water as we ascend through the wooded landscape. There is not too much in the way of gales at the moment. This will come later!

We have a nice view over Wast Water ...




... and two of us pose for a picture.

Burnmoor Tarn

The weather becomes very windy as we reach the wide open swampy expanse of Burnmoor. We reach a height of about 287 m. The gale force conditions and the swampy terrain make for an interesting experience. This was our Saturday workout. On the way we see people go up, then turn back from, Illgill Head - too windy!

Here are two of us ...




... and here we are again, looking across the bleak moorland towards Booth in Eskdale




This is one of the many streams or Gills feeding into Burnmoor Tarn.

Descent and Return

On our descent we reach the woods once more and stop for some piccies, almost as in celebration that the raging moorland gale had abated. We stop off at the shop in the National Trust car park and camp site. Then we take the footpath behind our hotel, which we reach via the slender packhorse bridge over the Mosedale Beck.

Two of us are gracing "ye olde" stony bridge.




Here we are in close up.




Here we are on the slender packhorse bridge over the Mosedale Beck behind our hotel.




Here we are again.




Yours truly is now in the picture. Thanks Tom for taking the piccy.




Tom gets another shot of - not at - me in front of Kirk Fell.

Our Evening

For the evening, Malcolm reserved the wood panelled special hotel dining room for our exclusive use. This ensured that we could sit together despite the Easter crowds in the busy main restaurant. A convivial time was had by all!

Here are some of us.




Another picture. Almost the same. Spot the difference!




Here's looking the other way.




Almost the same picture. Spot the difference.
The morrow beckons.