Barley Lake

OMG - we have traversed that whole lake and I now need a lie down! The day being glorious we headed out to Barley Lake. The drive itself is highly adventurous for once you leave the main road, quite small in itself, the upward route is tiny, torturous, potholed with some 45 degree bends and a lot of blue bottomed sheep just lolling.The lake is a corrie tarn and today was a dazzling blue. We walked down towards it, first saying hello to a young couple who were returning having camped up here overnight. Brave. The water was pristine and freezing and heady with the sun, we decided to try and do the whole loop ie walking up high around the ridge above the lake. First we had to traverse a bubbling river and waterfall, then we headed off - conditions underfoot pretty treacherous as it was either spongy bog or skiddy scree. We stopped to admire what seemed to be a newly erected and very professional cairn - Andy Goldsworthy, were you lurking? The views were sublime and we ate lunch perched on a flat rock over-looking the lake. There wasn't much path and at points some serious scrambling was involved as we climbed higher and higher, over ridges and valleys, clinging on to the heather. Not much wildlife in evidence a few ravens, some rock pipits and a bird of prey, possibly a peregrine, that swooped down at speed to catch a smaller bird. (We had been treated to the sight of a small, very dark stag at the side of the road as made our initial journey). With about 15 minutes to go, I managed to slip and land on my arse in the bog, soaked and smelly! The walk was just under 6km but a lot of up and down and much squelchiness was involved - - we started at the very northerly point in the main photo. 
Should you want to know more about Barley Lake my pals the Roaringwaters have it covered. 
A huge bath and Bedtime with Barry beckon.