Thu 20 Nov 2014
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| Summit of Nicky Nook |
A grey start to the day, but sunny intervals and, later, more prolonged sun was forecast so I drove to Slean End. The walk by Grizedale Brook up to the head of the reservoir seemed longer than usual. In Holme Wood the ground was dry, making the high level duckboards appear unnecessary, but I have seen much of the path under water on pas visits. They have been studded with staples to prevent footwear from slipping. Even the muddy section just beyond Holme Wood has been improved by the provision of thick sleepers.
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| Grizedale Reservoir |
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| Holme Wood |
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| The seat near Grizedale Bridge on the fell road |
I spent a good half hour at the seat near Grizedale Bridge and ate my small snack. It was quite warm. Three or four couples with dogs walked by. I returned through the wood and climbed the steep path up to the trig column on Nicky Nook. The sun was beginning to sink into a murky fog, and there was no extensive view in any direction. It was also beginning to feel cold. (The photo on this page was taken in 2007)
As I descended the west end of the fell I was delighted to see that great improvements to the path have been made down to the road. A lot of the gorse has been pruned back, and the marshy mess at the bottom has been eliminated by the simple expedient of cutting a channel for the water: not before time! The walk along the resurfaced road to the car was pleasant, and I was home by about four o'clock.
It's 16 miles to Slean End, just half a mile more than the distance to the lay-by on Delph Lane.
