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July

 

Route

Route

Walk Leader

Lance

Route

Kielder Reservoir : Tower Knowe – ferry to Leaplish – walk back along south shore of Kielder Water to Tower Knowe.

Weather

Very wet and humid. “Probably the only place in England that it was pissing down” (Julie). The rain cleared and the sun came out during the last couple of miles.

Walkers

 

Lance, Julie, Ashley, Carol, Ron, and George B.

 

Excuses

Michelle and Michael - domestic duties.

Bernie - attending her sister's Silver Wedding.

Sandy - having lunch with friends.

Evelyn - being a romantic novelist at a conference in Greenwich.

 

Comments

Ashley (shorts and T-shirt) and Carol (open sandals) came dressed for the Mediterranean. Started on the ferry “Osprey” going anti-clockwise around the reservoir. Passed close to the valve tower, which when built was the longest single pour of concrete. We had lunch on board in the warmth and dry. Lance and Julie had coffee in porcelain mugs. Several posh architect designed shelters on the shore including on opposite shores, two named Robin and Freya – based on a modern fairy tale written by one of the architects. The effectiveness of these shelters was questioned.

The water levels were very low despite a lot of water running off the hill. Carol kept up a good pace, probably as a result a getting fit on trip to Canada. It took us only 2 hours 40 minutes to cover approximately 8 miles. We were passed by several silent cyclists.


Although the sun came out latterly we were all a bit soggy by the time we got back to the cars. Went for tea and cakes in a very busy café, with spacious, clean loos for changing.


Wildlife/Flora/Animals:

Birds: Siskins, wagtails ,chaffinches, crows, swallows and house martins.

Butterflies/insects: Lots of midges. Green beetle with two dots on its back. Horse fly (killed by Lance).

Mammals/others: Jumping and dancing fish. Stoat (seen en route by Carol).

Plants/flowers: Thousands of sitka spruce and Norway spruce including one which was chained down.


Meal

The Pheasant Inn, Stannesburn. Excellent meal – superb desserts in peaceful surroundings.


Photo Gallery

Walkers

July walkers

Badger sett

The lunch boat

Loadpot hill

Take your places

Wau up

Freya

On top

Artistic view

Summit

Lance emerges

Lunch

Kielder shore

 

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