Fell Walking

After our escapades at Muncaster Castle on Friday, we returned to the general area on Saturday and climbed aboard the Ravenglass-Eskdale railroad train also known as "The Ratty". This is a narrow gauge train originally built to haul iron ore down from the mountains. Once that industry dried up it was used to haul granite before finally being turned into a tourist attraction. Now it goes from Ravenglass, on the seacost, to Dalegarth Station; a trip of about 7 miles, but 40 minutes. Scott had in his mind to find another set of stone circles that we believed we could hike to from Dalegarth Station. At the station we bought a booklet describing many fell (mountain) walks including the stone circles and, after receiving some advice and directions from one of the workers, we set off. The day was cool and overcast, but the rain held off as we began our journey. Unfortunately, we began by taking a wrong turn, and, after doubling back, and consulting our booklet, we began walking again, straight up the fell (that is straight up!). As we climbed the views of the little town of Booth below and another set of fells in the distance were great. After about 45 minutes of steady climbing Scott reached the top. I was lagging behind, stopping to enjoy the views and catch my breath. Unfortunately, this was not the right way to go either and we began the treacherous journey back down the fell. After doubling back once again, and restarting our journey, we began a climb that was described in our book as "steep" and "zig-zagging". That was definitely true! After another hour of climbing Scott reached the top, managed to find the stone circles, and snapped a few pictures. I, on the other hand, went about 2/3 of the way up, decided that 3 hours of climbing around on the fells was enough for one day, and headed down the fell.  Once reunited at the bottom, we settled in at the local pub and enjoyed a glass of wine and the beautiful fells around us.

The view from along the trail. Those lines in the distance are stone walls like the one in the foreground.

Looking back along the path. The white buildings in the distance are the village of Booth. The train station is near the little village.

The stone circles at last!