5 Great Reasons to Love Leighton Moss

The BBC's Autumnwatch 2013 and 2014 was broadcast from the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss and we're lucky enough to have it right on our doorstep.  It's a spectacular place to visit at any time of the year, and here are five of the best reasons why.

 

1. The birds. Well of course I have to mention them first, it's an RSPB reserve.  Whether you're a bird watcher extraordinaire or a rank amateur inspired by programmes like Aumunwatch to get out there and have a closer look, there's something for you.  I've labelled the ones I can, though I may well have made some mistakes, I'm still learning so do feel free to comment and tell me the ones I've got wrong.

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

One of the many feeding spots around the reserve

Common Teal

Starlings

Marsh Tit?

Nuthatch

Tree creeper

Avocet

Black Tailed Godwits

Lapwing

Marsh Harriers with Hutton Roof Crags in the background

Osprey

Snipe

Snipe

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

Egret

Robin

Blue Tit

Heron

Greylag Geese

Snipe with dinner!

Cormorants or Shags?

Black Headed Gull

A tree full of egrets

2. The reed beds.  Towering over you as you walk around the reserve they look, and sound, fantastic as well as providing a habitat for nesting and migrating birds.

 

3.  The deer.  Only two photos as they are generally very shy, but they are well worth looking out for.

4.  The views.  The reserve is surrounded by the most amazing backdrop, from the limestone layers of Hutton Roof Crags to the vast open expanses of Morecambe Bay.

5. The food.  The cafe at Leighton Moss is as spectacular as any of the wildlife and their carrot cake is legendary.

Legendary carrot cake

A posh packed lunch for a birthday treat

Nom nom nom

5 Reasons to Love Autumn

Start chatting to a Brit and chances are within about 30 seconds the talk will turn to the weather, and it's never usually positive.  It's always either too hot, too cold, too windy, too dry or too wet.  The thing about the weather is that whatever you think about it isn't going to change what it is or what it's doing, so you may as well figure out a way to enjoy it whatever it's up to.

So, as Autumn gains momentum, here are a few of the reasons I love the season so much.

1. The Colours - there is not a more colourful season to be had.  A crisp autumn day is an assault on the senses with the crunching of the leaves underfoot, the tingling of your nose in the cold air and the vibrant colours all around you.  Stunning.

Horse Chestnut - Kendal

Langdale Valley

Lancashire lovliness

More from Kendal

Beautiful grasses at Burns Beck Moss

Hutton Roof Crags

Water lillies at Burns Beck Moss

2. Nature's Bounty - with so many amazing fruits and berries around it would be a sin not to use them, and there are only so many crumbles you can eat...

We didn't eat these, but they are still pretty.

Roll on Christmas!

The Life Cycle of the apple, from tree to car...

From car to pulp...

From pulp to press...

From press to juice...

From juice to cider.

3. The wildlife - or more specifically, starling murmurations.  If you've not seen one before, make this year the one when you do.  Leighton Moss has a stunning display every autumn.

4. The weather - cold crisp mornings, inversions, the stunning pale blue sky...

The snows started in early Nov in 2012

Stormy rainbows over Luce Bay

Crisp blue skies over the Langdale Pikes

An early autumn inversion over Windermere

5. The lovely warm pubs...  If it all turns nasty, then there's always a friendly pub with a welcoming fire where you can warm up, dry out and sample the local produce...

And if you're itching to get into the outdoors now - here are 5 Fabulous Autumn Walks in Cumbria.

Freedom to roam

Go and get a map of the Lake District.  Go on, I'll wait. Right, now take a look at all of the HUGE areas of open access land and take the time to truly appreciate them.  There are so many that it's easy to take them for granted but don't.  Each time you forge your own route up a fell, or around a bog, appreciate the fact that you can because the reality is, in a lot of places you can't.

We recently completed a 5 mile walk elsewhere which wound along pretty streams and in-between picturesque lakes, but you could only admire them from afar as access was restricted along the entire route.  There were signs at every junction telling us what we couldn't do and to be honest, after a while it got pretty tiresome.

Don't do this, don't do that...

I'm not arguing for us to have the right to roam over every piece of available greenery, but along some routes you can get the distinct impression that you're simply not welcome.  The walk was nice enough, but there wasn't even anywhere we could legitimately sit to eat our sarnies so we're unlikely to be heading back anytime soon or recommending it as a place to visit.

But do we only have ourselves to blame?  Do these signs only exist because folks in the past have damaged property, left behind rubbish or failed to control their dogs?  In some ways it's rather sad that we have to be told the blindingly obvious because some people, who will most likely ignore the signs anyway, don't know how to behave.

It's a shame that people need to be told this...

I don't dislike signs per se; signs telling me where the footpath is across a field can be incredibly useful where the path is indistinct and positively worded signs in general are rather more helpful and likely to be obeyed than those telling us what we can't do.  For example "Footpath this way" with a helpful arrow is a far more pleasant sign than "Private Keep Out" when the only reason most people would wander onto the private land in the fist place is because the footpath wasn't clearly signed posted, and those intent on trespassing are unlikely to be deterred anyway.  If that makes sense.

Useful signs don't need to be fancy.

So, now you've got your map of the Lake District in front of you, you may as well start planning your next walk and, when you're out there, remember to appreciate the freedom on the fells.  Don't forget, if you get lost, you should keep an eye open for useful signs like this to help you find your way...

Some signs are definitely more useful than
others.

Blencathra the hard way

Halls Fell Ridge

I'm sure many folks will try and tell me that the only hard way up Blencathra is via Sharp Edge, but I beg to differ.  The Sharp Edge route is actually quite straightforward apart from the short and rather dangerous section across the edge itself; if you want a route that's a challenge from start to finish then Halls Fell Ridge is the route you'll be wanting.

Halls Fell Ridge

Halls Fell Ridge is one of the magnificent buttress-like ridges that make up the south side of Blencathra.  It is challenging, uncompromising and, in some of the higher sections, downright scary.  During the ascent there are no nice gentle flat areas on which to catch your breath, there is only up and you are under no illusion of that fact right from the start.  As you leave Threlkeld and approach the fell you may begin to question your sanity as it looms high above you but, if you take your time and keep a cool head, you'll be rewarded with one of the most enjoyable fell top scrambles in the Lake District.

The lower sections take you along a steep and easy enough to follow stone path, but don't be fooled, this route builds Bolero style and before long the stone path disappears leaving you to pick your own way up and over the rocky outcrops.

Route up Halls Fell Ridge

The route though the rocks

At some points you can make out a polished stone route created by the boots of a thousand hikers before you but be warned, those polished stones are mighty slippy and this is no place to lose your footing.  There are ledges where you can pause, catch your breath and admire the views, though my main complaint about climbing Blencathra is that when I'm on Blencathra I can't see Blencathra and for me it is one of the finest looking fells in the Lake District.  That said, the panoramas are none too shabby.

View from Halls Fell Ridge

As you near the top the summit ridge stretches out ahead of you with its promise of yet more breathtaking panoramas and, more importantly, somewhere to rest and enjoy a well earned break, though to be honest my slightly frayed nerves could have done with something a little stronger than PG Tips.

Blencathra Summit Ridge

It was blowing a bit of a hooley the day we were up there so we hunkered down behind one of the cairns to shelter from the wind and enjoyed fine views of Skiddaw as we munched our lunch.

Views from near our lunch spot

After such a challenging ascent we opted for a long but gentle descent along the top of Atkinson Pike before swinging down and along the valley of the wonderfully named River Glendermaken.  I'm not usually a fan of descents but this one is gentle, picturesque and offers superb views of Sharp Edge calling for much pausing to soak up what was left of the summer sun and finish off the flasks of tea.

Sharp Edge

There are also fine views back along the valley of the long flat summit which show exactly where Blencathra's other name of "Sadleback" came from. (Although the name Blencathra is derived from Cumbric and means "bare hilltop shaped like a chair" which also makes a lot of sense.)

Blencathra or Saddleback

All that now remained was the trek back along the base of the fell to an eagerly awaited pint in the late afternoon sun at The Salutation in Threlkeld. We then eased our aching bones into the car and headed home but were waylayed en route by a rather stunning sunset over Windermere.  Away in the distance a smörgåsbord of fells lined up and the debate in the car home turned to which fell, which route and in what order.  Decisions, decisions...

You're next, and then you, you and you...

Take the Time to Love Cumbria

There is no more precious commodity in this world than time. “Time is money” so business experts tell us, but they’re wrong; time is far more important than that. During our hectic day to day lives time slips through our fingers unnoticed and, when we go on holiday, we try to cram in as much as we can to “make up for lost time.” A visit to Cumbria is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of modern living; here are just a few suggestions for places to visit and unwind.

Buttermere

Buttermere: Right in the heart of the Lake District National Park, an easy drive from Keswick and perfect for a family lakeside walk. Buttermere is surrounded by high fells on three sides and has a clearly marked footpath the whole way around. There’s parking in the village and a complete lap of the lake is about 4 miles; perfect for those with younger children.

You could pack a picnic to pause and enjoy on the shore of the lake, or treat yourself to a meal at one of the excellent local hotels? But don’t race around, make a day of it; there are streams to explore, waterfalls to admire and beautiful views to drink in.

Caldbeck: If you want to get away from the main tourist route in Cumbria then Caldbeck is the perfect spot. Just a few miles north of Keswick the route to Calbeck winds through a very different landscape to the rest of the Lake District, with gentle rolling hills and open moorland. As you make your way through the farmland and tiny hamlets keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels; we’ve seen several along this route.

The Howk

From the centre of the Caldbeck there’s a short (2 mile) walk to the Howk; a limestone gorge and series of waterfalls. Along the way is an old bobbin mill which provides an interesting snapshot of local history; Cumbria supplied many of the bobbins to the cotton mills in Lancashire and, as 2 of the main requirements for bobbin making are woodland and water, the old mills are usually found in interesting hidden away places. Pause as you make your way around to listen and watch for birds, the natural woodland attracts a wide variety of native species and interesting visitors.

Ullswater: Often voted as one of the most beautiful of the Lake District lakes and certainly one of the most popular, there are many ways to take the time to enjoy everything Ullswater has to offer. Glenridding is a 15 minute drive from Keswick and from here the famous Ullswater Steamers give you the chance to sit back, relax and take in the views of the surrounding fells, including the dramatic Helvellyn looming large behind the village. If you fancy a bit of a walk then you can hop off the steamer either at Pooley Bridge (if you’re feeling adventurous) or Howtown and wind your way back along the lake shore.

Ullswater from Hallin Fell

As you make your way along the lake take a closer look at the hills around you and they’ll tell you a little about how the lake got there. The bowl like shapes high above Glenridding were the birthplace for the glaciers which first carved the scenery and, since then, wind and water have applied the finishing touches.

Cumbria has something to offer everyone but there’s no need to rush. The landscape of the Lake District took several million years to create; it would be a shame if we didn’t slow down a bit and give it our full attention.

Hiking kit - functional or fun?

Maybe I have an unhealthy relationship with some of my hiking gear, but while we were out today I was pondering how some of the kit serves a purely functional purpose whereas I have formed a close personal attachment to other bits.  I appreciate that you may want to give me a wide berth on the fells after reading this...

For example my Sigg water bottle full of juice is very lovely, but is purely functional.  When I am thirsty it is there to quench my thirst.  My flask of tea on the other hand goes way beyond that.  There is an almost unspeakable joy in sitting atop a mountain in the warm sunshine with a hot flask of tea.  Something a flask of juice does not even come close to.

Then there's my cardigan.  It's nothing fancy, it didn't come from any outdoor clothing store and it most certainly is not about to win me any style awards, but it's absolutely perfect for stuffing into a small corner of the rucksack and, being made of an odd combination of bamboo and cashmere, offers that extra bit of warmth on spring and autumn hikes.  It's not that I don't like my waterproofs, it's just that they're, well, different.

And tell me, is there anything finer than a well worn in pair of old leather walking boots?  Walking socks may come and go and very nice they are too, but with a pair of trusted boots you have a history together; muddy bogs traversed, tricky summits scaled and stinky summer hikes endured.  They're a part of you, moulded perfectly to your feet with never a blister or a cross word.  When they die it's almost impossible to throw them away and they take up residence at the back of your cupboard; you know you should do something with them but you just can't bear to part with them.

And last but not least, my map and compass.  Now my trusty Silva compass has had its moments and, since I learned to keep it away from my mobile phone, has rarely missed a beat but, lovely as it is, I have no wish to sit and gaze lovingly at it for any period of time.  My OS Maps on the other hand I could sit and pour over with either a cup of tea or something a little more lively for hours on end.  I love maps; new maps or old maps, I am just happy to sit reading them, picking out new routes and footpaths to enjoy in the future or discovering forgotten routes and buildings from the past. If like me you love a good old map, then pour yourself a brew and lose yourself on this site: Old Maps Online.  I can waste days on that site (don't say I didn't warn you!)

Steve thinks I'm slightly bonkers (though to be fair he does have evidence aside from this) so please, tell me I'm not alone.  Does anyone else love their hiking gear too?

"If you want my opinion..."

I have to say I'm very impressed with the Ramblers, when we met with them on Wednesday for the launch of their Go All Out campaign they promptly took us on a 1 mile hike which included 2 pubs.  Turns out the aim of the venture wasn't to get us drunk but was to get us talking about what our concerns are when it comes to the great outdoors and what we want them to campaign about in the future.

Benedict Southworth (No idea what the sheep's called)

To be honest I'm surprised they're still speaking to us at all.  Ever since the Kinder Scout Trespass in 1932 the Ramblers have been at the forefront of campaigning to protect our rights of access to the countryside and coastline of Great Britain; the thing is we've pretty much taken them for granted for all that time, but not only are they still speaking to us they are now actively asking us for our views about what we want them to do next.

What Kate Ashbrook loves about the outdoors.

During the course of the day I spent time chatting to Chief Exec Benedict Southworth and President Kate Ashbrook and there's no doubting their passion and commitment to this project.  Like every other hiker they love the outdoors and like every other hiker they have their own concerns and frustrations, but what sets them apart is the fact that they are in a position to take action and make changes.

The whole point of the Go All Out campaign is to talk to everyone who enjoys the outdoors and understand where their concerns are and what they would like to see Ramblers doing about it.  As I've not yet met a hiker who doesn't have an opinion on some aspect of the outdoors I'm betting they're going to have a lot of data to wade through when they're done.

There are various ways you can have your say; you can either complete the online survey or get a group together and have a good old ding dong based around the discussion kit they provide.

"What's stopping people getting outdoors?"

According to their guidelines the discussion should take about half an hour, but if it's anything like the discussion our group got into it will most likely go on longer, especially if your discussions are taking place over a post hike pint or two.  Just so long as someone takes charge to keep you vaguely on track and collate the information.

Key themes for our group centered around the use of technology in the outdoors, engaging with families and an interesting debate about what exactly constituted a "walk" in the first place.  Whatever your view on these, or any other outdoors topics, now is the time to have your say.

You haven't got to be a crusty old hiker like me to get involved, they want to hear from absolutely anyone who loves the outdoors so instead of shouting at the TV or muttering rude words next time you find a blocked path, tell the Ramblers what you honestly think and you could help to shape the outdoors of the future.

Here's my two penn'orth