Postcard from Cumbria – Final Day – Grisdale Loop or Brothers Water?

The Ramblings team splits into two groups to enable those who missed the ‘Brothers Water’ loop to do it, whilst those who had done it would tackle the Grisdale Loop, which is a little higher up the fells.

The wounded knight mentioned in the previous postings has now benefited from Ulswater to clean his wounds and has been instructed by the Ravens in a nearby field to find the Maid of the Winding Mere aka Witch of the Westmorland so he’s directing his horse towards Kirkstane Pass which means Brothers Water valley would be his means of getting there.

I’m not sure the other team are as enthusiastic about this beautiful little folk song so I’m pushing it here.

In essence, the knight manages to get to Kirkstone Pass and beyond to blow his horn at the lake and awaken the witch (for information – she’s half a maiden fair and the rest of her is a horse’s body, so there’s not much chance of a roll in the hay, if you know what I mean!). To cut a long story short, she gives him three kisses, the bleeding is stemmed, and the Brucie Bonus is that he cannot be hurt by anyone ever again.

So the other group have the fairy tale, and perhaps that’s appropriate! We’ll say no more!

We’re making our way through Patterdale to a junction that accesses a good road, but very steep. It goes up and then up some more, then it goes up again, but we are rewarded by views of the stream well below us with mini waterfalls and birdsong. There’s also the sound of some tree harvesting on the other bank, but it’s impossible to see the action. Then we go up again.

At the top, we’re rewarded by a track that follows the contour, so the going is really easy. It’s a great bonus and enables us to take in the beautiful mountains and valley without falling over huge rocks or shale. It does become a little more challenging as we make our way along the valley, but essentially, the going is easy.

As wee approach Patterdale Common the track splits into three. One track is the one we want on the northwest bank of the stream is the one we want but the others look like the Coast to Coast (CtoC), which is either newly designated a national trail or, at the very least, about to be. The other is not signed but clearly used, and my guess, after looking at the OS Maps, is that it’s an alternative CtoC, but don’t take that as gospel.

Our route back is over a very ramshackle bridge that can be seen but has limited access so we make up our own track. It’s a little more scenic as it’s further up the mountain, but low risk, and that’s how we’re leaning as we get older

We stop for lunch, looking down into the valley, and see some youngsters quite well laden with rucksacks that contain their clothing but also sleeping bags, sleeping mats and some waterproof clothing fastened to the outside. We think they’re doing the CtoC, although it’s quite a heavy weight to carry for long hikes; however, they shock us when they take the Helvelyn fork and tell us they’re going to ‘do’ Striding Edge! Wow!

As we finish our picnic, we choose the signed way back, and as we descend, it becomes obvious that this valley is the access point for a number of very well known walks and adventures. I’m still in awe at the four boys and the girl who’re doing Striding Edge – I hope things go well for them but they’re really going to be ready for a rest when they return to their bunkhouse.

Another fabulous walk with dear friends, meeting so many other walkers and adventurers.

I wonder if the other team saw the Witch!

Enjoy the snaps. Love G x