Haweswater

No 2 Son chose today's walk from an option of 3. He voted for a circuit of the fells that surround the head of Haweswater reservoir in the Lakes. Mrs Wild has never actually been here and I can only recall visiting a couple of times although I have walked the hills above the reservoir many times. It is a wild and remote valley and a bit of a trek to get to it by car. We climbed over the Long stile Ridge over Rough Crag and onto High Street 2718ft (so named because the Romans built a road over the top). It must have been a torturous route to walk in open toed sandals and tin and flannel. I am sure that they would rather have been posted to sunny Tuscany. Carrying on we passed over Mardale Ill Bell and Nan Bield Pass. The temptation for me was to carry on over Harter Fell to complete the circuit so I left Mrs Wild and Ciaran in the shelter of a wall sunning themselves while I carried on. They pottered down the pass and we rendezvoused at the car at the same time.

It was such a great day out that didn't promise too much at the start as the wind was bitter cold with snow flurries. Mrs Wild who is not a mad keen hill walker was all for turning back at one stage but she carried on regardless and I think in the end was glad that she did. The wind dropped the sun came out and it made for one of those magical days out on the hills. I cannot remember the last time that I have seen such stunning clarity across the lake district hill tops.

Haweswater is famous for drowning the village of Mardale when it was constructed 1930's. In dry years the old streets,bridge and foundations of the village buildings are exposed when the water gets low.

Ciaran was so impressed with the walk he wants to come again.