Originally we had intended doing Helvellyn today, but for one reason and another (hangover by the female of the party and strong gusting winds) we decided to do two Wainwrights we had not done before, nameley Sallows and Sour Howes. So with a reasonably early start, we had parked up and had started walking by 9.10am It has been said that they are uninteresting fells and people have wondered why Wainwright included them. Well, we found them to be nice fells, admittedly not difficut, but pleasing and offering excellent views.

We climbed to the top of the Garburn Pass, which is steep in places, but never excessively so and offers nice views of the Kentmere Valley. At the top we climbed the wall stile on the left and followed the faint path straight to Sallows summit. It was gusting but sunny too, and the views were good. After having a chat with three lads from West Bromich, we said our goodbyes and we headed off for Sour Howes, which is an arcing ridge walk with good views all the way.

From there we headed for a small coppice of fir trees and simply followed a stone wall for a mile or two till we arrived at a meeting of four paths. Taking the one to the left of the stream we headed down Holland & Vose factory and then turning towards Kentmere Tarn. It was here at the southern end of the tarn that we found a large cleat (metal bollard to moor ships to), which was odd as the tarn is not very big and no large boat or ship can sail up the river. then we found evidence of a mooring and also an old metal cabin.

From there we walked alond a pleasant reasonably level path above the tarn all the way to Kentmere Hall and then the village. Taking a view minutes to visit the church - we made our way back to the car.

We decided that a pint would be appreciated by all - we made our way to the Beer Hall at Staveley, where fine ales by Hawkshead Brewery can be had. It was ere that we googled Kentmere Tarn and discovered that from the 1950s it was dredged for a mineral called diatomite. Hence the cleats and mooring point. Dredging ended in 1970. Diatomite is used in such things as toothpaste, mechanical insecticide, absorbent for liquids, matting agent for coatings, reinforcing filler in plastics and rubber, anti-block in plastic films, porous support for chemical catalysts, cat litter, activator in blood clotting studies, a stabilizing component of dynamite, and a thermal insulator.

See what you learn from a walk in the fells :-)

A thoroughly enjoyable walk

Top of the Pass - and extensive views open up

Approaching Sallows summit

Sour Howes from Sallows

Harvey and Ruby race towards Sour Howers

Windermere from Sour Howes

Paul and Susan admire the view

Harvey stops on the wall as he climbs the stile - he too likes a scenic view

Autumnal colours are beginning to show

A lovely grassy path leads us to....

Kentmere Tarn at the old Dredgers moorings

The path back to Kentmere

Inside the small church at Kentmere