Rydal Bank Church

Transcription

This is Rydal Water, between Ambleside and Grasmere It's just a mile long and a quarter of a mile wide But what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in scenic beauty We are going to walk around the lake, starting at White Moss Common There's a choice of routes, clockwise or anti clockwise The toss of a coin is required. It's tails so anti clockwise it is, which entails crossing the river to the woods beyond. The bluebells have come late this year but it's been well worth the wait. It's a well made path up through the woods, past this wonderfully spooky looking tree, and out onto the fellside. There's a choice of routes. We take the high road, and it's not long before the views start to open up. As the track climbs, the views get even better. The hill opposite, or fell to give it it's proper name is Nab Scar The small white house beside the lake is Nab Cottage it was once home to Thomas de Quicy and later Hartley Coleridge, the son of the Poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. After just over a mile we reach the caves. As any good amateur geologist will tell you, these are not natural. They're the remains of the slate quarry. If you're staying in the area then there is a good chance that the lakeland stone that your holiday accommodation is built from came from here. The stone was carted to Ambleside down this wide track. I'm reliably informed that the wall here was adapted to create a drinking trough for the ponies that pulled the carts. While the horse took a drink, the driver enjoyed the view This is one of my favourite seats in the whole of the Lake District blessed with one of my favorite views. It would be nice to spend a bit more time here but we're not yet half way round and I fancy an ice cream. We soon reach a row of cottages. I like those windows Spooky there's no one around but I've got this weird feeling that I'm being watched. A short stroll down the hill, past Pelter Bridge car park, and we reach the river again complete with ice cream van. Sitting on a bridge eating ice cream in the rain. What could be nicer? One rain diluted ice cream cornet later it's time to get a move on. We're in Rydal, on the main Ambleside to Grasmere road This is the Rash Field Better known as Dora's field. It was bought by William Wordsworth with the intention of building a house for his daughter, Dora. but as you can see, the house was never built. After Dora died in eighteen forty seven the Wordsworths planted hundreds of daffodils in the field as a memorial to her. We are a bit late for those but the Bluebells make a pretty good substitute. Wordsworth also had some influence over the site and design of the church and was church warden for a short period. It would have been an easy role for him to carry as he lived just up the road at Rydal Mount The house and gardens are open to the public and have been kept just as they were when Worsdworth lived here. Beyond Rydal Mount we turn left back towards Grasmere via the coffin route. Before the modern road was built this was the way to Grasmere. Ambleside had no church, or graveyard so if you lived there in the eighteenth century this would be the route of your final journey Spare a thought for the coffin bearers, carrying their load this distance along a rocky track was no mean feat. Along the way we come across a bit of natural art converted to a piggy bank! this is a cffin rest. There used to be several and this one has been restored back to full working order. More cracking views. this time of Loughrigg Just visible behind the trees, the caves. Rest over, time to move on. Onwards and upwards, as they say. MUM MUM WHAT IS IT DEAR? WHY IS THAT HUMAN GOING OVER THE TREE ROOTS? THEY ALL DO IT. THERE'S A PERFECTLY GOOD PATH BUT WILL THEY LISTEN? HE'S GOING TO FALL OH I CAN'T LOOK -- HOORAY ITHINK HE'S GOING TO MAKE IT HUH HE'S JUST SHOWING OFF WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME! We're back at White Moss Common. Just passed a cottage we turn left up this narrow path to climb to the top of the fell heading for that rock in the distance. It's just a shame that it is raining again. Can't dampen the spirits though I think I might just go around again.