Name of walk	Rydal Roam and Ring
Date of walk	2017-07-09
Distance walked (miles)	8
Duration of walk	5 hours 30 minutes
Weather	Blue skies and sunshine
Peaks on walk	None
Walked with	Andy, Cameron and Sue
Parking	Under Loughrigg Road

On Saturday Andy, Cameron, Sue and myself drove to Ambleside to walk around Rydal Water, visit Rydal Cave and Grasmere and to ring the bells at St. Mary’s Church in the afternoon with ringers from the Furness and South Lakes Branch. For once we had some good weather! We parked in the free spaces along the Under Loughrigg Road just before 9am. The walk would be about seven miles. We aim to have lunch at the Badger Bar around midday, and be at the church for 2.30pm.

The footbridge to Rothay Park that leads directly to St. Mary's Church in Ambleside.

Our route takes us alongside the River Rothay.

The Fairfield Horseshoe.

Cameron, Sue and Andy.

A curious Robin sitting on a fence. For under £130, you can't get a better compact camera than a Canon Ixus, they do take excellent point and snap photos.

Stepping stones at a place called 'Stepping Stones'. A pity a few have been washed away, which now makes it impossible to cross the river.

Ahead is Peter Bridge that leads to the main road. We will be heading off to the left through woodland. Andy and Cameron face the savage beast!

I keep well away from the horns.

Looking down on Rydal Water.

We pass the quarry caves. It is a bit of a climb to get in. That's a tree trunk, not a twig!

Andy's photo of Cameron's attempt to climb up, but the rock is too smooth.

We reach Rydal Cave. There are stepping stones across the water. The cave is massive.

Sue's photo of me on the stepping stones.

Andy and Sue at the entrance.

Sue's photo of Andy.

Andy photographs Sue.

I go for the reflections.

We head in.

People need to be in the photos to see the scale.

The cave wall.

We take a break.

Say "peanuts".

There are many fish in the cave water.

I'm not sure what they are, they would need to be adapted to the low oxygen levels. If Bill in Melbourne is thinking of emailing to tell me, like last time, that they're Great Whites......think again!!

Rydal Water and Nab Scar.

We head for Grasmere.

Last look back at Rydal.

Heading down to Grasmere.

The bridge and the weir.

Andy photographs the ducks.

Helm Crag.

We cross the bridge to White Moss. Andy takes our photo.

Andy's photo.

Sue checks the route. (Andy's photo)

The bridge that we don't cross.

Messing about on the river. Deep enough here for swimming.

We walk the final section back beside the road. Great views back across Rydal Water.

Canada Geese.

Goslings.

The boathouse with Loughrigg as background.

I take a small detour down to the boathouse.

"Scooby-Dooby-Do!"

Heron.

Time for lunch at the Badger Bar.

Andy is drinking a beer brewed at the School House In Warton, called 'Detention'. Love it!

I go for the 'Ploughman's'

Sue's photo of us in the Badger Bar.

Crossing the bridge back over the River to Rydal Water.

Waterlilies and Nab Scar.

Calf in the field.

We head back along Under Loughrigg Road.

It has been excellent weather today.

Back at the bridge over the River Rothay, taken by Sue.

Sue's photo of us heading over the bridge to the church.

For once we are on time! Andy tells me St. Mary's has the third heaviest ring of eight bells in the world.

The tenor bell is 32 CWT. It takes two strong, fit ringers to ring the bell up. Unfortunately none were available, so Hilary and Andy volunteer to do the deed! Not the most flattering of poses!

....but so good it deserves another photo!

Once the tenor is up, the other seven can be rung up too, then the ringing can begin.

I sit outside on a bench in the church yard for a while and listen. They sound excellent! I then wander into the church for a look around. I am thirsty so I head into Ambleside for a coffee, some iced water and a read of the 'paper'. (Catching up on tabloid gossip, which as a Guardian reader is considered very naughty!)

Within a short time I am joined by Sue, and then by Andy and Cameron. I'm pleased to see them, despite only managing to get to page 4 of The Daily Mail......probably no bad thing! After our drinks we are all ready to head for home.

An excellent day in excellent company!

Jo.