Lat/Long: 54.557572, -02.876566
OS Grid Ref: NY 43409 18390
The drive north along the M6 was rather windy. After Pooley
Bridge I drove along the lane by the east side of Ullswater and
was surprised how much standing water there was. At Howtown
there was a section of flooded road but I managed to get through
OK. Over the Hause I descended to St Martin’s Church and parked
on the narrow hardstanding by the road. |
'The Bungalow' was formerly a shooting lodge built in 1910 by
Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale for the visiting German
Emperor Wilhelm II (1859-1941) the eldest grandchild of Queen
Victoria. He was the last German Emperor. |
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It was still very windy with some rain. So I set off in full
waterproofs. Part of my route is over Rampsgill Head and I could
see it up ahead covered in snow. I followed the lane south
towards Dale Head then left through the gate towards the red
roofed Bungalow on the far side of the valley. I didn’t have
time to investigate The Bungalow but I had a look at a similar
green corrugated iron clad building by the bridge. It was for
accommodation but that part was locked. Another door was
unlocked and I had a look inside where there was an interesting
old tractor. I returned to my planned route along the bottom of
Ramps Gill which was very wet underfoot. The map shows a faint
path going diagonally up the east side of The Nab. |
Emperor Wilhelm II (1859-1941) |
Looking through the window |
T |
Building below the Bungalow. |
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It was very indistinct in places and also steep and exposed.
Before reaching the summit I stopped to eat my sandwiches and
the wind was very strong and this was the only shelter I’d find.
I was right and as I crossed the very boggy ground towards Rest
Dodd it was vey difficult to keep upright. There was a walker
coming the other way and he was also being battered by the wind.
I came to the first snow as I climbed steeply up to Rest Dodd. |
Rest Dodd. |
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Over the summit I dropped steeply down to the saddle with views
of the imposing snow covered “The Knott” ahead. The snow wasn’t
deep but still difficult to negotiate. It was a steady and
strength sapping trudge up towards Rampsgill Head and the wind
was so strong I was blown off my feet a couple of times. It was
a strong southerly wind so I kept well away from the edge of the
gully head. |
Looking down from Rampsgill Head. |
Gate on High Street. |
Men at work ahead. |
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I could see Kidsty Pike in the distance as I walked round to
head north towards High Raise. In the area called Raven Howe I
was puzzled by some tracks of a caterpillar tracked vehicle on
the snow. I’d just passed a snowed up road sign for men at work
but nothing was to be seen. Approaching the saddle at Keasgill
Head I saw two tracked vehicles working and digging but I
couldn’t figure what they were doing. |
Tracks in the snow |
Machines on High Street. |
Machine on High Street. |
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I spoke to one driver who said they were doing work to protect
the peat and digging bunds to prevent erosion. They’d been
digging in the area since August. I set off down on the descent
of Mere Beck towards Gowk Hill. I continued along Brownthwaite
Crag and left the path as I wanted to descend to the old miners
track through Martindale Forest. I forgotten how steep it was
and had a very difficult time negotiating the mix of wet grass
and loose rocks. The last time I was here I climbed out of the
valley and didn’t have much of a problem. |
Looking down on 'The Bungalow' |
I missed the track and descended too far so had to follow a
deer fence back up to the track. I’d also overshot the site of
the old cave and quarry so had to miss it out of my walk. The
track was extremely wet for the last km back to St Martin’s
Church and my car.
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St Martin's |
St Matin's today Wed 15th Jan 2020 |
St Martin's 14th Jun 2017. |
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