Wednesday 23rd January 2008

Start point: Dalegarth Station, Eskdale (NY 136 312)

Dalegarth Station - Stanley Force - River Esk (South Bank) - Doctor Bridge - River Esk (North Bank) - St. Catherine's Church - Dalegarth Station

Distance: 4.5 miles     Total Ascent: 185 metres    Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Damp and dull. 10oC.

Route Map

There was more rain and general dreariness today with low lying cloud almost down to valley level again. I opted for a low level walk around Eskdale visiting Stanley Force and a pleasant walk along the banks of the River Esk. It made a nice change to walk around the area I normally drive past to get to the big stuff!

First sight of the River Esk.

The bridge crossing the River Esk that the first photo was taken from.

The path alongside Stanley Gill, climbing to Stanley Force.

Stanley Gill.

I get the message!

Stanley Force, Dalegarth Force or Stanley Gill Force, depending on where you look/what you read!

The noise was absolutely thunderous today, a real spectacle after all the recent rain.

The upper and lower falls on Stanley Force.

Descending alongside Stanley Gill.

Casper waits patiently as we cross the bridge over Stanley Gill to follow the south bank of the River Esk.

No chance of getting across the stepping stones to St. Catherine's Church today.

The old narrow gauge railway bridge across the River Esk.

Following the path beneath Gate Crag.

The un-named tarn below Gate Crag.

Eskdale, the low lying cloud covering virtually everything.

Low Birker Farm.

Doctor Bridge.

Doctor Bridge from the north bank of the River Esk.

'Casper the lion' above the River Esk.

St. Catherine's Church, Eskdale.

Has Spring sprung in Eskdale? Some early snowdrops in the churchyard.

Dalegarth Station - no trains or passengers for L'al Ratty today, although I don't think they like you calling it that nowadays. Apparently (according to the local paper), it's got to be 'The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway'. It'll always be L'al Ratty to me...

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