| Name of walk | Bell Ringers' Walk From Hawkshead To Bowness |
| Date of walk | 2015-07-11 |
| Distance walked (miles) | 9 |
| Duration of walk | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| Weather | Sunny and warm |
| Peaks on walk | Latterbarrow, Claife Heights |
| Walked with | Andy and Sue |
| Parking | Ash Landing and a field in Hawkshead |
On Saturday we had a St. James’ bell ringers’ walk from Hawkshead to Bowness. We would ring the bells of St. Michael’s, Hawkshead for an hour, then walk via Latterbarrow, Claife Heights, Near Sawrey (for lunch) and Far Sawrey. Then take the car ferry across Lake Windermere to St. Martin’s Church in Bowness-on-Windermere, where the July Meeting of the Furness and South Lakeland Branch of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers would be held. Unfortunately today’s walk coincided with a Wedding at Dalton, so we would be short of a full band of walkers. The weather looked promising. I parked my car at the Ash Landings NT car park, then Sue and I went with Andy to Hawkshead in his car.
The cycling 'Tour de Hawkshead' was on today, so we could park in the field for only £3 for the whole day.
Hawkshead Grammar School founded in 1585 and attended by William Wordsworth from 1779 until 1787.
St. Michael and All Angels Church. Five of its eight bells were cast in 1765.
View out to the summit cairn of Latterbarrow.
The ringing room has an excellent view out to the church interior.
The ringing room is full of peal boards.
This one holds some very familiar names!
The gentleman who normally rings the 7th is very tall! The rope is lengthened but Sue still needs to stand on a couple of boxes.
Hawkshead ringers Mike, Angela and Tower Captain, John Gunner, have kindly joined us for a ring. We practise our St James' Tower rounds and call changes piece for the looming Striking Competition, as well as doing some Plain Hunt and Bob Minimus. It is a very relaxing and enjoyable session.
Time for a quick game of Tower Jenga! This allows Andy to set up his camera for a group photo.
Andy's group photo.
Hawkshead Church has a Digital Prayer Candles and Projection System, a combined project between Lancaster University, University College London and Sheffield University, exploring the communication of empathy across digital networks. The candles and projection links prayers between this community and St. Peter de Beauvoir Church in Hackney, London. The typed in prayers are projected on walls in both churches.
Andy types in his prayer. An excellent pianist is playing on the church piano while we are doing this.
The prayer....now run before the Grammar Police arrive!
Common Spotted Orchid in the church yard.
Another of Andy's tripod photos...an ant's eye view.
We are soon on our way and heading through Colthouse.
We head up to Latterbarrow. Looking at three sparrowhawks with two other walkers.
Not far now.
Summit cairn peak-a-boo!
A group of other walkers take our photo.
Looking over Windermere to the Fairfield and Scandale Horseshoes.
Pike o' Stickle, Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark (Langdale Pikes)
Crinkle Crags and Pike o' Blisco.
Looking over to the Low Wood Hotel.
Andy's photo of Hawkshead and the church.
View back to Latterbarrow summit cairn from the Old Intake.
Some of the deforestation.
Our route ahead.
High Moss Tarn.
We detour over to Wise Een Tarn.
Sue's photo of me taking a photo.
Water lily flower.
Female Tufted Duck and ducklings.
Andy's shot of Moss Eccles Tarn.
A tiny common blue damselfly.
We head off down the lane in the direction of Near Sawrey.
Sue is concerned that over half the walk is done and I haven't taken my customary sheep photo. So I oblige with this curious chap.
View to Near Sawrey.
The Tower Bank Arms taken by Sue....note I am already through the door!
Andy auditioning for 'The Last of the Mohicans'.
We swap tables for one with a view.
Dessert! Lunch was excellent. We will be waddling down the hill to Far Sawrey like Jemima Puddleduck!
Yes, there's always one! We take the footpaths to Far Sawrey to avoid the road.
Heading towards St. Peters's Church.
Andy's photo of Claife Viewing Station (top of hill), no time to stop and look as we don't want to be too late for the ringing at Bowness.
Windermere.
The car ferry is only 50p for foot passengers. £4.40 for a car.
We speed across Windermere.
Aww! What is it about Spaniels that just cries out "love me"? This one likes to be up high to see where he is going. (AP)
Bowness-on-Windermere. Our walk has been nine miles and has taken us, with lunch, 4 hours and 45 minutes.
The world and his wife are out for a stroll. It is only now, at this point, that we can finally hear the bells of St. Martin's Church.
There has been a church here since 1203. The church was restored in 1870. It has eight bells which were cast in 1872.
A few photos from the branch practice. While I was there they did Stedman Triples, Grandsire Triples, Oxford Bob Triples and some Plain Hunt and Bob Major, plus rounds and call changes.
After the practice we adjourned to the church for tea, coffee and cake. Anne had made an excellent sponge cake and there were other delights too, rather a pity I had over-indulged at lunch! During tea Ian presented me with my First Quarter Peal Certificate. Andy takes these photos.
Keith, the Branch Secretary, policing my certificate handling technique. Hands together?
The certificates are produced by Eileen, a Kendal ringer.
After tea I have a look around the church.
A couple of gems in the display cases at the back.
We left the meeting about 5.30pm and walked back to the ferry. It started raining, but not too much. Once on the other side of Windermere we walked back to my car, and then I dropped Andy back at Hawkshead to pick up his car, the last remaining vehicle in the field! Another excellent day topped and tailed with ringing. Thanks to John Gunner and his Hawkshead ringers and to Andy and Sue for their company on an easy, relaxing walk. We will have to do another one soon!
Jo.
