16th August 2007 - Hawkshead for Grizedale

It was the middle of August summer holiday, so the weather was warm and barmy with only a few spots of the grey stuff, the traffic was slow so it took some folk longer to arrive than others! After some mechanical prep' with a 10mm allen key ("last minute.maintenance", no names, NZ with a Cannondale!). 5 of us set off up the bridleway from Hawkshead village heading west past Walker ground to climb up to Low Park and join the North Face (NF) route, I will not describe the route as we followed the NF. There is some construction going on at the visitors centre, new parking areas etc, (still doesn't change the fact that the access roads are narrow local lanes). We had a good climb up from the visitor centre, the boards we not too bad (Eh Grant?) and I managed to get to the top without dabbing, for only the second time! We stopped at the top for a choc' break and to take a look at a small square of blue sky over to the south! Onward just enjoying the trail, the odd bit of cloud droplets but nothing worth mentioning! Round we continued, spotting a buzzard looking for supper, deciding we were too big a meal, except possibly CT, but not worth a meal! Round to the last section and JB experienced a deer jumping clear over the singletrack just in front of him, not sure who would be most startled, a 6' deer looking for tea or JBs 6'5" looking for some downhill? Now the last section of downhill to Hawkshead, just as it was getting dark, all back to the cars. Next week its the A6 north of Kendal, park near village hall 3/4 mile past the Plough Inn, near Selside.