Binsey and Dodd (two seperate walks)

The forecast was bad. Waking up feeling as though flu was about to flatten Elspeth it was touch and go whether an outing would be feasible today. However after a little gentle persuasion about blowing cobwebs (and viruses) away we headed for a taster of what the day would be like - Binsey. The most northerly of the Wainwrights seemed ideal for the conditions. We parked at Binsey Lodge on the road between the Castle Inn and Ireby. A straightforward track took us up from the south east directly to the summit. On the top a transient patch of brightness flooded the flat countryside westward and on to the coast. However to the south the real dramatic dark clouds over the northern fells gave a truer picture of the prevailing conditions. By some good fortune, the rain stayed off while we were on the hill and the wind although strong, posed no problems.

The descent was by the same route(but obviously, in reverse), just back to the car when the rain started.

Time 40 mns

It was still only 10.00am, the cobwebs and viruses having been blown away, were now all set for another outing, albeit, I agreed, nothing too strenuous. What better than Dodd with the Sawmill tearoom at the bottom. A warming coffee was consumed as the rain became heavier but our resolve was strong and protected by waterproofs from the start we followed the green trail up through the woods. No more than 500 yds into the walk two deer ran across the path in front of us. No need for map reading here although occasionally the green post were a little confusing being situated at a junction of paths without any direction of which path to take. However using common sense i.e. heading upwards through the forest paths, the trail avoided the large metalled track for the most part and we soon reached the col between Dodd and Carl Side. A magnificent vista opened before us to the south . Not the glorious sun drenched panorama that one usually visualises with the term 'magnificent vista' but the much more atmospheric dark fells highlighted by occasional beams of sunshine penetrating the clouds, spotlighting white curtains of rain showers, giving the depth to the whole scene.

A short climb up the south shoulder soon took us to the summit with more views over to the dark western fells again with each individual group of ridges, Barrow and Outerside, Causey Pike and Crag Hill clearly demarcated by the lighting from the clouds and showers in the distance. The rain persisted so quickly we descended down the western side of the hill back the the golden colours of the forest with an incredibly bright rainbow appearing ahead of us.

Time 2 hrs

Memories

• Golden colours
• Atmospheric views
• Two deer in Dodd Wood
• Rainbows

Grade: Excellent day

Completed 66 To Go 148