Name of walk	Bell Ringers' Walk to Latterbarrow
Date of walk	2023-02-11

On Saturday the bell ringers met up in the Hawkshead Primary School car park for a walk to Blelham Tarn, Wray Castle and Latterbarrow. A walk organised by Andy, the Barrow, St. James Tower Captain, and led by Linda (Ulverston, St. Mary’s.) The Furness Bellringers were having a ringing meeting in St. Michael and All Angels Church in the afternoon, and most of us would be joining them for a ring.

Our route, courtesy of Jo P.

Andy just about to take the group photo.

Andy's group shot was photo-bombed by a cow!

Sans cow. Sue (Barrow), Lisa (Broughton), Linda (Ulverston), me (Barrow), Cliff (Broughton), Jo (Barrow).

Sue and the Chocolate Factory cow.

We head out of Hawkshead and cross the main road. Andy's photo of the snowdrops of a house on the path.

The weather is a bit dull and drizzly, but it is warm and there is no wind. (AP)

Sheep on a hillock.

(AP)

We stop for a coffee break. (AP)

View over to Latterbarrow.

View to Blelham Tarn.

Blelham Tarn.

Baa!

Once back on the road, the group continue on while I head up to Wray Castle to see what flowers were out. We would meet up a bit later on the lakeshore path. Wray Castle entrance gate.

Wray Castle.

Lots of snowdrops.

Cloudy view of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

The orangery.

More snowdrops.

The castle is closed for the winter, but the cafe is open.

Tree ferns still with fronds! Shows how sheltered and mild the winter has been here. The hellebores and cyclamen were also in flower.

View to the Langdale Pikes.

I head down to the lakeshore path where I will soon meet up again with the rest of the group.

The boathouse jetty.

View across Windermere to the Low Wood Hotel.

The last time we were here there was a steamboat being worked on.

I wait on the boathouse steps, have a coffee and can hear the voices of the group within a couple of minutes.

We all continue along the lakeshore path then we turn right up beside the wall behind this boathouse.

View back.

Looking back from the wall.

We all negotiate a rather muddy section. (AP)

A bit of a rainbow.

Andy thinks the dog gate is an easier option than the stile!

We ford the beck. (AP)

A few glimpses of sunshine on the fells.

View across Windermere as we head higher.

Almost at the summit. (AP)

Summit view.

Andy places his mascots on the cairn for the photo shoot.

Andy's camera on a mini tripod for the group summit shot.

(AP)

View to Hawshead from the summit.

Jo and Sue on the road back to Hawkshead.

Back into Hawkshead Village.

Lunch, we are joined by Alison. (AP).

Sue tries out the hopscotch course. Bellringers know how to have fun! We can now hear the church bells being rung up, as it is nearly 2.30pm.

We walk up to St. Michaels and All Angels Church for the bell ringing meeting.

Andy and Alison looking up to the ringing room.

Andy preparing himself for the serious act of church bell ringing!

Inside the church.

Sue, Jo and I head out for a look around Hawkshead's shops. Some blue sky now!

The 'Library' outside the primary school.

A good 8.5 mile walk (4hrs 30mins) despite the rather dull weather, and in excellent company! Thanks to Andy for organising the walk and letting me use a few of his photos (AP), and to Linda for leading the walk.

Jo.