Great Crag, Dock Tarn, Watendlath & Grange Fell

Stonethwaite village next to the red phone box there is a small parking area with room for a handful of cars. I normally park nearer the school on the approach to the village, as these spots are often already taken - but we were lucky today.

We pass a pretty Borrowdale cottage as we take the bridleway to the right.

This was looking very promising - the sun was out, there was little or no wind and the Borrowdale Valley had it's lush green coat on for us. Walking in this area is always a joy.

Crossing Stonethwaite Beck. After the bridge there's a 'T' Junction at the Cumbria Way - Rosthwaite to the left and Greenup to the right, our route today takes us to the right for a few hundred yards.

A nicely placed marker signifies here you leave the main bridleway (Cumbria Way actually) and start the climb up towards Lingy End.

Sporting a new pair of boot laces (having prised the old ones out), Mr Robinson was in fine fettle, as is always the case when in the lakes with the sun shining.

Looking back down the zig-zag path as we climb up through the woodland towards Lingy End.

Through the bare trees can be seen Eagle Crag (left) & Sergeants Crag (right)

Greenup to the left and Langstrath to the right of the large buttress which is Eagle Crag - with Sergeants Crag in support just behind. I love walking up both those valley's, with the Greenup Gill route commonly ascended by the coast to coast walkers.

The very quiet and serene Dock Tarn - time for a coffee break while we soak up the spring sunshine.

The summit of Great Crag with Ullscarf in the distance.

The summit of Great Crag. Much to Paul's amusement - I often struggle to find the summit here, even though I've been here loads of times before, I always seem to make a 'pigs ear' of it. It's not a case of just going up until you reach the top at Great Crag, you need to decide which of the 'bumps' hold the biggest of the cairns. I reckon this it and Mr Wainwrights sketch proves it. But I'm sure I'll still do a little extra work the next time I'm here also.

From a subsidiary height and vantage point a 100 yards North, the picturesque beauty spot of Watendlath tarn can just be seen.

The snow capped Helvellyn massif

Again, whilst chatting away, I managed to veer off the main path to Watendlath and we had to correct this with an unintended climb or two. Again, much to my embarrassment and Paul's enjoyment, who revelled in the fact that I kept getting 'lost' "even with a GPS" !

The path up to High Tove can be seen behind the tarn. It wasn't that long ago, that I walked up to the top there and headed across the Pewits.

Does that mean you can keep all the tiddlers you catch ? I always thought it was the youngsters you couldn't keep ? No doubt someone will explain.

Stunning reflections in Watendlath Tarn. It was absolutely idyllic here.

Stunning

The Puddingstone bank path to Rosthwaite as we leave the tarn.

A short climb up Puddingstone Bank before turning right and heading onto Grange Fell

From the summit (Brund Fell), Skiddaw can be seen in the distance

Stunning views at the top of this Borrowdale classic fell. Pity someone had to spoil it.

A grassy descent (if a little wet and boggy in places) back to the main Puddingstone Bank path.

Oooops - maybe a little too boggy in places !! This certainly caught me out, at the bottom of the same stile that I'd successfully negotiated only 15 minutes earlier on the way up.

Views into the lush green Borrowdale region. Nice and dry today - but not usually the case, as it's well known for being the wettest place in the UK.

Looking down onto Rosthwaite as we bypass the village.

Back on the Cumbria Way as we walk alongside Stonethwaite Beck

Arriving back in Stonethwaite after an excellent days walking

There's only one way to celebrate a really great day on the fells.