Longlands fell, Brae Fell, Great Sca Fell, Meal Fell, Great Cockup & Binsey

Saturday 11th June 2016

Walking Diary (All Walks) Lakeland Wainwrights Northern

A peaceful (for the most part) walk in the Uldale Fells. Starting near Over Water, I headed for the small hamlet of Longlands and leaving the country lane I then headed up to Longlands Fell and onto Louthwaite Fell before visiting Brae Fell, Great Sca Fell and Meal Fell. The path descends to the sleepy Trusmadoor, before a climb back up to Great Cockup.

After walking through the tiny village of Orthwaite, I headed across the fields towards Binsey. This proved to be eventful as I was attacked by a Buzzard (twice !) near Over Water Hall - I managed to get a photo of it after the second swoop as it circled deciding whether to go for me again ! He had warned me off, so I did as he wanted - and pressed on to Binsey. Exciting stuff this Fell Walking.

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Distance: 12.9 miles
Duration: 5:30 hours
Ascent: 3319 ft
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
Accompanied By: On my Own
Weather: Overcast & Rainy

Wainwrights Visited

Binsey Brae Fell Great Cockup Great Sca Fell Longlands Fell Meal Fell

3D outline of route

Parking

The parking spaces just near Over Water. This is an ideal spot for the walk I have planned and easier than getting parked at Longlands.

Heading off with Over Water to the right

The Uldale Fells - think it's going to be quiet today

On the side of Little Cockup as I head for Orthwaite. Views over to Bassenthwaite and the North Western Fells.

Now, as I wandered around looking down to try to find the outline of a moat that was shown on my OS map. I jumped out of my skin as a fighter jet 'whooshed' an inch above my head. I dropped to the floor in shock and looked up to see the most majestic sight. The full wing span of a buzzard almost touching the ground and then climbing away from me and upwards - I'd got too close to his territory and he/she was warning me. I had no idea it was there and I certainly could have lost a chunk of my scalp with those talons, had it chose to.

Obviously, I was cautious for the next few minutes as I quickly departed the area - but my mind soon started to wander thinking about recent events and I stopped looking up .... and all of a sudden it happened again !! I got the same shock and sensation but this time was composed enough to get a few (poor) photo's as I swept up and circled. These photo's don't project the sheer size and beauty of this beast - and I'm so grateful he/she didn't leave a calling card as I would have been in A&E for sure.

As I settled my nerves - then nipped up Binsey, I was back at Over Water before I knew it.