Name of walk	Bellringers' Walk up Hampsfell
Date of walk	2017-01-14

On Saturday the Barrow St. James’ bell ringers met up at the top of the Grange to Cartmel Road at 11.30am, to walk up Hampsfell. It was blue skies and sunshine, but still quite cold, and there was snow on the mountains. It was a short walk, just two miles. After our walk we planned to drive down to Cartmel for lunch and then join the Branch Ringing Meeting at the Priory.

View out to Morecambe Bay.

Looking over to the Coniston Hills.

Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man.

We arrive at Hampsfell Hospice.

The Hospice was constructed in 1846 by the Reverend Thomas Remington, the vicar of Cartmel. The Greek inscription on the front translates as "Rosy-fingered dawn", a quote from Homer. There are good views to be had from the top.

The steps on the side can be a little awkward.

View out over the limestone pavements.

Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man, Swirrl How and Wetherlam.

On the top is a moving pointer. The numbers correspond with names of fells on the board behind Andy.

The Howgills.

Kent Viaduct.

We pose in our hoodies.

We are joined by the other St. James' ringers, sans hoodies.

Looking out towards Heysham Power Station.

Reading the four main boards inside the Hospice.

An honest sign!

Andy's photo.

I take this one of our group.

Graham takes this one.

Andy's group tripod photo with the mountains as backdrop.

Another tripod view, in close-up.

We head back over the top of the fell.

Heysham Power Station on the left.

A nice sky.

Looking down on Cartmel and the Priory where we will be in the afternoon.

Andy having a 'Julie Andrews' moment!

Jason by the summit cairn.

View back down to where we have parked our cars.

The boys do some rock climbing.

We drive down to Cartmel. I park at Headless Cross and walk in. View back up to Hampsfell.

Yes, there's always one! The Gatehouse was built in 1330 as part of the monastery. We decide to have lunch at The Cavendish Arms.

Salmon and smoked haddock fishcake with chilli sauce.

Cartmel Priory was founded in 1190 for the Augustinian Order.

The route up to the ringing room is through the door in the wall.

You have to walk across the roof to reach the ringing room. The tower is at a 45 degree angle to the church.

Andy's photo of us walking across the roof top.

View back to Hampsfell.

Its a long way down!

Other rooftop views.

In the ringing room. Cartmel Priory has six bells. I counted 32 ringers, thankfully its a large room!

Iwan rings while Jeg keeps a watchful eye.

Andy rings the tenor to Cambridge Minor, and Cameron follows him.

Iwan rings a touch of Grandsire Doubles on the treble for the first time, and does really well. (AP)

An excellent little walk.

Jo.