Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club

Walk & Event Reports

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Sunday 26th January 2020

A Walk

Martindale Edge

Leader: David Bulman

Report by David Bulman

Photos by Christine Milton

We are all familiar with the saying - "bad start -good finish". And so it was for the 4 "A" walkers (plus Max & Clyde) who set off with mutual encouragement determined to laugh off the weathermans' forecasts of gloom and doom - after all "it's only water -it's about the clothing -they're often wrong etc ringing in our ears as we laughed our way down the motorway. Well, such bravado disappeared within seconds upon arrival at Martindale when we were greeted by horizontal -and vertical -rain and low cloud! Unable to summon the courage to open the car doors we decided to take time out in the Howtown Hotel - only to be waved away from within because it was closed! So far not so good.! Undaunted our next decision was to descend upon Granny Dowbeckins for a committe meeting.. Donning waterproofs just to get from the car to the cafe we had our spirits lifted by refreshments and convivial conversation -delayed as long as we could -until we noticed a potential break in the sky and decided to walk Dunmallard Hill just over the river via the temporary foot bridge. This proved to be a good quick introduction to the improving elements -we thought it a good idea to continue the day's excitement by visiting Aira Force - given the amount of water we had just witnessed!. And so it was proved. The Falls and the River feeding them really were spectacliar! Encouraged by our evolving enthusiasm for making decisions "on the run" the next huddle resulted in a unanimous decision to walk Gowbarrow. This proved to be a brilliant walk in decent weather. I personally hadn't been on this route for over 25 years and had forgotten just how stunning the path round the Eastern fellside with Ullswater stretched

out below was. So we ended the day in high spirits and smiling faces.Sincere thanks to you for turning out.

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David