The Pictures:-

To see who was on the walk click on the following picture:-

To view all the pictures taken on the walk click 'HERE' then click on first picture to view in 'full screen'. To continue click small arrow on the right of your screen.

The Walk:- 

Walk leader - Stan Bradshaw

Distance - 14 miles

Conditions - Perfect sunny frosty winters day. Ground frozen/dry. Mist screening distance viewing.

Number on walk - 18.

The first stage of the walk took us along the front to New Barns then up through Copridding Wood to Arnside Knott. On the climb Steve, who wasn't feeling very well, decided to let us carry on without him. (he knows the area well and had a map) After doing a circuit of the Knott, we we spotted Steve again, who now felt recovered and re-united we continued on over Heathwaite then down past Hollins Farm, through Holgates Caravan Park and finally up to the Pepper Pot for our morning coffee break, sat basking in the winter sunhine.

After a short break, the next stage of our walk took us down to Waterslack, then on past Hawes Water, Leighton Beck Bridge, Hazelslack and up through Underlaid Wood to our lunch stop above Fairy Steps. Unfortunately the tight squeeze (tighter for some than others!) up Fairy Steps saw all of us using the sides to some extent, therefore none of us got their wishes granted by the fairy..

Moving on after lunch, we continued through woodland, then through a potentially muddy field to Beetham where we entered Dallam Park Deer Park, which we crossed to Milnthorpe Bridge, pausing to observe and photograph a large herd of fallow deer en route. We crossed the road near the bridge, then walked alongside the River Bela to another sunny spot, where we had our third stop of the day, this time for coffee, or if my sence of smell is correct, soup in some cases. Duly refreshed we then completed the final stage of the walk, along the disused railway through Sandside to Arnside.

Back at our cars we all changed into more suitable footwear and most of us went into the very festive Albion for drinks in front of a blazing fire. An appropriate end to a walk in a beautiful area on a perfect winters day.

Thanks to all who came along.

Stan.