Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club
Walk & Event Reports
Sunday 2nd April 2017
B Walk
Newlands Valley
10.5 Miles Grade 3
Leader: Ian Rowley
Report by Ian Rowley
Photos by John McKay & Lesley Bruce
A second fine Sunday in a row saw 18 “b” walkers cross the suspension bridge over the Derwent along the Cumbrian way towards Newlands Valley. Since last weekend frogspawn had turned into tadpoles and there were the first few high fell lambs at High Snab farm so spring was definitely sprung.
After a slightly tricky crossing of Yewthwaite beck, where the results of December 2015 storm was still very evident, the walk progressed towards the goal of Goldscope Mine, known by the German miners who worked here from the 1550’s as “Gottesgabe” or god’s gift (which coincidentally is how several male club walkers describe themselves)
Lunch was taken outside the mine entrance, which was thoroughly surveyed and declared free of hibernating grizzly bears although there were some strange noises reminiscent of Scottish folk music emanating from the depths. A post lunch visit was made to the pretty Newlands Church which one walker declared was a fine spot to be buried. I didn’t like to ask if he had anyone in particular in mind.
The walk finished in Portinscale with a leisurely refreshment stop in the excellent Chalet Tearooms. A great day with stunning views of the fells all round, warm sunshine and hardly any stiles made this a walk that will linger in the memory.