Name of walk	Greendale
Date of walk	2025-07-25

When Sue and I did the Middle Fell, Seatallan & Buckbarrow walk back in March we noticed that Joss Naylor’s former cottage in Greendale was now one of Sally’s Holiday Cottages. Joss was a sheep farmer and legendary fell runner. I had been to one of his talks and read all the books about his achievements, I had also seen him running on the fells above the cottage, his gait, long sticks and dog companions making him very recognisable even at a distance. Joss died last June, aged 88. Sue and husband Derek had been to his funeral representing the Orienteering Community. The cottage is now divided into two, Low Greendale for up to 8 people and Little Greendale for 2. So I booked Little Greendale for a week in June as a base for myself to do some walking from. It was ideal for one person, and at about £500 not too expensive. I was by myself in the cottage for a few days, then the London owners spent a few days in the main cottage doing some maintenance. They were nice people.

Low Greendale and Little Greendale beneath Buckbarrow. The photo is taken from Greendale Bridge. The Wasdale Explorer bus comes right past the cottage.

Little Greendale from the garden.

The patio and view to Middle Fell.

Inside Little Greendale. The Sofa is also the bed.

Kitchen/dining area with bathroom beyond.

I kept the sofa as a bed for the duration.

Greendale Gill.

There are various bits built by Joss behind the cottage which I've visited before, but one evening I went and had another look. This is new to me....

A stone with Joss's hand print next to the seat he had built.

The seat.

There are several sheep folds and reconstructions of ancient settlement ruins. There is a good view of the cottage to the right and across Wastwater to the screes.

This was Joss's reconstruction of an ancient settlement wall.

The buildings on the left are also holiday lets, two are for sale, but covenants say they can't be bought to live in. Shame.

Another Joss cairn.

A joss built patio set.

It is only takes a few minutes to walk from the cottage to Wastwater.

Classic view.

It is also a short walk to the north of the lake.

Great views back down the lake.

The boathouse beneath the screes.

Super reflections.

Moody.

I walk back towards the cottage.

On my first evening I drove to Wasdale Head and walked to St. Olaf's Church.

Joss Naylor is buried here, and as I am staying in his cottage I have to pay my respects.

This is where the old memorial from the summit of Great Gable is now.

It is England's smallest Parish Church, room for 35 people.

From the church I head in the direction of the pub.

Middle Row is where Joss was born.

The packhorse bridge. I go past the pub and head back to my car.

I stop here on the drive back. A perfect place for swimming with a view of the Scafells, which I will make time for this week.

More nice reflections.

A couple of sunset shots from one of the evenings.

The next few posts comprise the walks I did from Little Greendale over the week.

Jo.