View from Hallin Fell

I watched another sunrise from bed this morning - I woke up with a headache so did not get up to photograph it (and no, it was not a hangover headache as I had no alcohol to drink!) 

After breakfast we drove the long detour, due to Pooley Bridge being closed, to get to the other side of Ullswater. We had planned to do our first Wainwright today, Hallin Fell which is a relatively short and easy one, but one that gives beautiful views of the whole of Ullswater. The road there was so narrow at times that there were a few times where we had to reverse to a wider passing space so that two cars could pass. The climb up was quite steep but not difficult. There were a lot of sheep around so Xena had to stay on a lead - I cannot remember there being so many sheep in the Lake District. They were hidden in the tall bracken and every once in a while a head would pop up making Xena very curious. She does not bark at them and I doubt she would actually chase them but it was safer to keep her on the lead. Not sure how the farmers ever find their sheep again as they roam all over the fells. I guess the stone walls keep them contained. 

This is the south view from Hallin Fell over the valleys of Martindale and Boredale. See the first extra for the view over Ullswater. The last extra is the view from Green Hill over Ullswater.

After Hallin Fell we drove back to the hotel where I had a delicious cappuccino (and a headache pill) and felt much better. We had a light soup lunch and then decided to tackle our second Wainwright of the day - this time Gowbarrow Fell which is above Aira Force. It offers stunning views over Ullswater which get better and better as you ascend. The afternoon light was very contrasty so despite using a ND grad my images had exposure problems. 

After reaching the summit trig point at Gowbarrow we walked on to the cairn at Green Hill and then descended via a very muddy and boggy route back to the car park. So two Wainwrights and one Birkett today, this could get addictive (but nothing compared to the people who have hiked all 214 Wainwrights!) This is certainly one of the most beautiful places in the UK offering so many fantastic walks. It would help if there were more signposts for the walks as we are used to in Switzerland.

And so a wonderful mini break comes to an end. Back home tomorrow, and not pleased to learn today that our area of Surrey has been moved to Tier 2 in terms of COVID restrictions. It means we can no longer mix with another household indoors.

Apologies again for being absent from journals, I have missed reading them every day and will get back to them as soon as possible.