Brunt Knott - A walk to celebrate Paul's 50th

Brunt Knott
1400 feet

Date                    24/4/2010

Walk done by:  Susan, Jed and Paul

Weather:            Lovely spring day, warm and hazy sunshine

Distance             8.5 miles.

Started at:          Staveley Railway Station

"Don't take me unexpectedly" - Susan

Susan and I arrived early at Chorley Station and went to the papershop to get water. A couple of magazines caught Susan's eye which she knew would amuse Paul, so they were duly bought. We went back to the station and waited for the train. When it arrived' surprisingly there were no seats available. At Preston Station the train emptied by a good few hundred, and we managed to get a table seat. Paul joined us here. Within the hour we were alighting at Staveley.

The warm weather was going to make this walk a little harder than we had expected, so naturally Paul suggested we went to Wilf's Cafe for a tea and a bite to eat. We had only walked 200yards!!

Very kindly Paul bought us all a light breakfast and a tea. 40 minutes later we set off.

This walk turned out to be one of the best walks we have ever done. Not because there was great excitement, not because it was high, not because it was nice weather; but it was because it was nice weather, because beauty abounded, new born lambs were every where, and it was so peaceful. It was an idyllic day.

Shortly after leaving Staveley we got our first sighting of Brunt Knott and it gives a fine sight. It's meagre height of 1400 feet is not noticed, instead it gives the impression of a high fell with a long arete to the west.

Our next target was Brunt Knott Farm, where self catering cottages are available. We met the owners and they were very pleasant, explaining that there were 4 cottages available. Susan liked it - I have no doubt she will stay there sometime this year!!

From here it was the start of the hard pull to the summit. Well it wouldn't be usually but the heat added a bit of problem.

Eventually the summit was reached. This fell is superb. We had met no one, it it so peaceful we spent an good 40 minutes at the top stretched out in the sunshine, having our lunch and chatting. I could have stayed all day!!

Eventually we made our leave, heading in a NW direction and then taking the track down to Ghyll Bank. From there it was through the delightful Elfhowe, and then the walk back to the Beer Hall. All along this section I was picturing a pint glass with condensation trickling down it's side.

Soon we reached the Beer Hall, where we had various pints of the ales brewed by the Hawkshead Brewery.

Eventually we left and headed for our tea at the Eagle. Although the food was Ok the menu is really unimaginative, and overpriced. £11 for a main meal of Cumberland sausage is a tad ridiculous. BUT - as I said it was well cooked and well presented.

by the time we had eaten we could either dash for the last train or take a stroll to Burneside and catch the train there. We chose the latter, and arrived with time to kill, just.

A lovely, lovely idyllic day. I will remember it forever.

 

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Taken shortly after arriving in Staveley. The village hall is in the distance.

 

Susan reads "Your Dog" slightly to Paul's disbelief!

 

We're off, the serious part begins as we make our way up Hall Lane

 

 

Our first view of Brunt Knott

 

Brunt Knott Farm

 

After steady climbing I ask Susan if I can take her. She agrees! So here she is above Brunt Knott Farm

 

Nearing the top, there was this rock face. We decided to have a scramble, rather than take the longer and easier path to the right of this photo

 

However, before we set off, Paul takes a moment to meditate

 

Paul approaches the top of the scramble.

 

...then turns and waits for Susan

 

Almost there. To be honest Susan and Paul took a more difficult route than I did. So I was well impressed with Susan..

 

as you can imagine, as she reaches the top of the scramble.

 

And very soon, Brunt Knott summit is in view.

 

The summit with the Ill Bell range in the distance

 

Here Susan takes a break and reads the second of the mags she bought,

 

Towering above her with a smile on his face, Paul shows off one of the shirts he bought with our Birthday money.

 

Paul in disbelief that Susan could read a mag like that

 

The water level is low but it still makes a charming picture

 

The Lamb Section

We had seen lambs all along the walk but as we neared High House farm there where newly born's all around

 

  

 

    
  

This little fella had only just been born. We must have missed it by minutes. The umbilical chord still hangs from mother and child and there is still blood on the youngster's head

 

looking back to Brunt Knott

 

Paul and Susan make their way to the delightful Elf Howe

 

Nearing Elf Howe

 

...and looking the other way, the stream gently flows towards Staveley

 

Elf Howe

 

Brunt Knott from Elf Howe

 

Ruins

 

Small fir cones at Elf Howe

 

At Low Elfhowe there was this lovely magnolia, it's scent had greeted us as we descended the hillside

 

On the lane to Low Elfhowe

 

 

 

Opposite the sigh above, Paul and Susan take a break and read a mag...

 

... non other than The Little House on the Prairie mag!

 

At Scroggs Farm we saw this proud mother and baby. it had the biggest ears we had seen all day!!

 

Back in Staveley we cross the bridge .....

 

...and make our way to the beer hall. This is the view from our settee looking down on the river.

 

  

Later we strolled over to the Eagle, this is the beer garden to the rear, complete with my pint.

 

Walking to Burneside we came across these ferrets.

 

Paul called this the "Pigstick". Why? it's huge and certainly is no stick! But that's what we will now call it

 

Susan makes a good tramp at Burneside station

 

Burneside station

 

And on time, the train slowly arrives at Burneside to end a day we didn't want to end.

 
An unforgettable day!!!!

 

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