Cow Bridge car park is not a very inspiring name for the start and finish of a favorite walk of mine......but as a place.....it is.
Brothers Water seen early in the morning both literally and figuratively reflects the essence of inspirational Lakeland scenery. Much contemplation and rock-sitting in cogitative pose is called for, all distant and interesting in soft focus and slo-mo....y'know, like yer do...
However, after a sublimely gentle saunter along its shoreline and a casual meander across pastoral meadow,
a lung-busting, heart threatening 'diretissima' is experienced ascending the shoulder of 'little' Hartsop Dodd.
But what a ridge walk follows....as a Blue Peter presenter would say....'well worth a visit'.
A further short sharp ascent and even more stunning ridge walking is encountered to reach Hart and Dove Crags, and the vistas either side make a hoary old tramper tremble maiden-like with wistful pleasure.
Choices of descent...do we shortly scramble steeply down to continue along the companion ridge of Hartsop above How to revel in more ever opening, changing vistas, or do we half drop into Dovedale and contour around via stream, wood and quiet solitude......either way, it makes no difference to the pleasure gained from such a walk.
Soaring Buzzards, trilling Skylark, fleeting Swallow, baa-ing Herdwick, Curlew, Snipe and Woodcock accompany as visiting extras.....gentle breeze warmed by lazy sunshine....mild sweat of shirt-sleeved welcomed effort....cool hand-scooped beck-drink with only the occasional human interloper to exchange 'how-do's' with....
A day of complete 'respite' from modern-day life, immersed in beautiful natural surroundings and with only bird, animal and thought as companion ....makes a difference......even Cow Bridge car park now seems acceptable...
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