Footpaths Are For Wimps - High Spy from Grange via Catbells - 25/04/23

26 Apr

We arrived at at 9:45, within minutes of each other, at Grange Methodist Church however we couldn't get a parking space. We relocated our parking to Grange Crags.

We walked along the River Derwent back to Grange across Grange Bridge lol. Everything around here is called Grange 😂

We walked along a single track road up to an even smaller village called Manesty. From there we started our ascent to Catbells (451 Metres). It’s named “Cat Bells” on the Ordinance Survey map.

We got the summit where Iain had his customary Summit Fireball Whiskey and I have my travel mug of tea, as I'm not drinking alcohol this month (until Thursday lol). After that we took photos and I was presented with a medal from Iain which has named the Hot Shot Challenge. His dog is called Hot Shot.

I took photos for various walkers and each one; their cameras getting older and older.

We came back down the same way we went up but walked towards Maiden Moor where we had lunch with a view of Catbells and Dale Head. I made a quip about us going to Dale Head too then saw how high it was (753 metres), so that was a “No” lol.

We crossed Narrow Moor to High Spy (653 Metres) passing umpteen Cairns which I added a rock to each one as we passed. We stopped at Eel Crags (618 Metres) to have another look at Dale Head and again I said “No” 😂

We walked down to Rigghead disused slate quarries. My feet were absolutely killing me and I'd proverbially hit the wall. I was zonked. It was all down hill on slate and stone. We walked down by Tongue Gill (a stream). We crossed the stream further down and headed back to Grange via Allerdale Ramble Way. We ended at Grange Cafe where Iain had a beer and I had a cup of tea (as I've been sober for almost a month, 1 day left).