Name of walk | Ling Fell and Sale Fell with Fr. John |
Date of walk | 2016-08-19 |
Distance walked (miles) | 9 |
Duration of walk | 4 hours 45 minutes |
Weather | wind and rain |
Peaks on walk | Ling Fell, Sale Fell |
Walked with | Fr. John Inglis |
Parking | Pheasant Inn |
Wind and rain was forecast for Friday, so we decided to do a couple of small fells. John had never walked up Ling Fell and Sale fell, but they are quite handy fells to walk up from the presbytery in Cockermouth if you are looking for a short walk on a nice day. Alas, today’s walk would not be short, nor would it be a nice day! We would do a circular walk to include both fells, with just a bit of repeat walking in the middle. We arranged to meet at The Pheasant Inn, west of Bassenthwaite Lake, at 8.30am, trying to beat the rain, but it was raining from the start. Not to worry, we would spend the first part of the walk in the forest.
The Pheasant Inn. We took the road down the right side of the Inn, then turned off first left and followed the forestry track as it winds its way up the fellside.
At this point we went left into woodland.
This tracks follows the base of Sale Fell.
Out of the woods we can look over to Skiddaw, Ullock Pike and Dodd. It has been raining quite heavily.
Cows and a calf.
One very beefy bull!
We continue around the base of the fell.
Chapel Wood.
The remains of Wythop Old Church. The church is said to date back to the 14th century, but the earliest evidence of its existence dates it to the reign of Queen Mary (1553 - 58). The church was demolished in 1865 when the new church was built (St. Margaret's). Every year during August an open air service is held by the remains of the old church.
The stone says 'Site of Wythop old church'
It has stopped raining.
View to Ling Fell.
Site of some new tree planting.
We head down past Kelswick Farm, through the gate and turn left heading up hill on the road, then we turn right and soon come to this gate which leads to the 'Corpse Road' which winds up the side of Ling Fell.
The 'Corpse Road'
Looking over to Sale Fell. We will return and head up by the wall.
Binsey on the right.
We head into purple heather. Bassenthwaite Lake can now be seen to the left of Sale Fell.
It is raining again.
Grouse butts.
Our summit visit lasted 30 seconds! It was windy, cold and raining. John hangs on to the cairn to keep upright.
I do the same.
Then we head down fast to get out of the wind.
It is fine in the shelter, almost pleasant!
We wind back down the track and stop for coffee and some of Philomena's homemade fruitcake that Brendan had brought back from Ireland. Unfortunately John had forgotten the 'coffee' bit, but the hot water in his flask was very warming! We were re-energised for the next ascent!
We return to the gate that leads to Kelswick Farm and head steeply up Sale Fell, beside the wall. Looking back over to Ling Fell.
It is raining and we are once more exposed to the wind, so I take no more photos until we reach the summit.
John on the summit.
Not much view today! We can just make out Bassenthwaite Lake through the rain.
We head back down the grassy track, at least on the descent the wind is behind us.
Rodin's 'The Thinker'? Nah, more like a sedentary Bruce Forsyth!
A very easy descent.
We take the path on the left that leads down to a seat with a view. To the left, hidden by the trees, is St. Margaret's Church.
The view is good when it is not pouring with rain.
We decide to go and sit in the church instead.
The church was consecrated in 1866.
We then walk back along the road to the Inn.
At the Pheasant Inn John gets to indulge his passion for chips! Posh, triple cooked ones! The walk was nine miles and had taken us fours hours and forty five minutes. The last time it only took me three hours and ten minutes, but then I didn't do it in wind and rain.

John is returning back to darkest Surrey on Sunday, so this will be our last walk together, until the next time.
Despite the weather it was an enjoyable day. John was his usual good company. I have enjoyed our walks this year, especially as we actually did some walks in sunshine, quite a rarity for August!
Jo.


