Backpacking & Outdoor adventures by ChingNengBin - Namaste! Everest BaseCamp 5,364m : 2014 - Backpacking to Stranraer, Scotland day 29

Backpacking to Stranraer, Scotland from 21 May to 26 June 2014 (37days)

Janet and James Drysdale came over to see us off for the Lake Districts.

Day 29 (18.06.2014) – day 1 to Lake Loweswater, Lake District UK

This morning Norman John Robertson and wife Carol Anne Robertson came in two cars and picked us to drive 143 miles to the Lake District and stayed at Swallow Barn, Waterend Farm, Loweswater, Cockermouth, Cumbria. Upon arrival at 3.30pm we checked in and took a walk around Lake Loweswater. We came back for dinner.

Sleeping: Swallow Barn, Waterend Farm, Loweswater at GBP9.50 pp

We stopped to have a look at the Belted Galloway cattle on the road from Stranraer to Lake District.

The Belted Galloway is a heritage beef breed of cattle originating from Galloway in the west side of southern Scotland, adapted to living on the poor upland pastures and windswept moorlands of the region.

It is the belt that gives them their name Belted Galloway cattle raised for their quality marbled beef.

On the road from Stranraer to Lake District.

Mr Val Allan standing beside a very old Mini Cooper car at Dargavel Cafe, Dumfries.

Ching Neng Bin standing beside a very old old Citroen car at Dargavel Cafe, Dumfries.

Decorative gravel, granite chippings and stones used to transform gardens beside Dargavel Cafe, Dumfries.

We found this stone for Lim Kee Moon beside Dargavel Cafe, Dumfries.

The Dargavel Cafe, Dumfries.

The proprietor of Dargavel Cafe, Dumfries.

We had this tasty soup and rolls for lunch at this Dargavel Cafe, Dumfries at only 1.5 pound.

Val Allan enjoying the tasty soup and rolls for lunch at this Dargavel Cafe, Dumfries.

We all arrived at Swallow Barn, Waterend Farm beside Lake Loweswater at 3.30pm.

Swallow Barn house rule - arrival time is after 4pm and departure must be by 10am.

Swallow Barn is in the picturesque Loweswater valley, part of a traditional farm buildings dating to 1670.

Swallow Barn has 4 separate sleeping rooms - 3x3pax and 1x9pax room with a total of 18 mattresses. There is a cooking and eating area and also two bath rooms.

Swallow Barn is close enough as a base to scale Scarfell Pike and and a drive to Solway West coast.

There is a pub just over a mile away from Swallow Barn where brewed beer and food can be obtained.

Swallow Barn has electric lighting. There are 2 flush toilets, 2 coin operated showers (50p pieces), 2 sinks and a water heater. There is also the use of a gas heater (extra charge) all in the common area only.

We had hot tea and biscuits at Swallow Barn communal cooking area before going for the walk. Many thanks to Norman who brought his gas cooker and kettle.

Breathtaking hill view from the Swallow Barn, Waterend Farm.

Walking out from Swallow Barn, Waterend Farm to Lake Loweswater.

Lake Loweswater walking map starting from Swallow Barn, Waterend Farm.

The start of the 4.5miles foot-path around Lake Loweswater from the north western end through the new pedestrian gate signposted "public footpath".

Follow the Lake Loweswater foot-path down the field turn right through a gap and through a gate.

Continued on the Lake Loweswater foot-path to cross the bridge with a gate to the tarmac driveway.

A view across Lake Loweswater towards Mellbreak (512m) from the path and Hudson Place.

A view across Lake Loweswater to Grasmoor the highest peak in a group of hills between the villages of Lorton, Braithwaite and Buttermere. On the left is Whiteside Fell.

The breathtaking view of the field and the countryside of Lake Loweswater.

On reaching the Hudson Place farm we continued ahead below the farm house and turned left to a gate marked with a footpath sign and through the gate and into the rough lane of Lake Loweswater.

Holme Wood is National Trust land, well-spaced largely deciduous trees with a lush undergrowth of blackberry brambles and bracken of Lake Loweswater.

Darling Fell seen on the opposite side of Lake Loweswater.

As the lane opened out to a field we were on the Lake Loweswater path to the gate into Holme Wood. After 100m the gravel path dropped down to follow a narrower path nearer the water's edge. Followed this to the mountaineering hut.

The Western end of the Lake Loweswater walk.

A well graded gravel path makes an easy Lake Loweswater walk even if the track is rather rough in places.

Catherine Oon had to step up over the dry stone wall to get across on the Lake Loweswater walk.

The ladies were happy walking through the woods on the south side of Lake Loweswater.

The total tranquility on Lake Loweswater and what a place to be.

Picnickers swimming in Lake Loweswater near to the bothy.

At the Lake Loweswater mountaineering hut also known as bothy, is for rent from the National Trust.

The Darling Fell on the left and right is Low Fell across Lake Loweswater.

Another breathtaking view across Lake Loweswater from High Nook Farm.

The eastern end of Lake Loweswater and on the track leading to Maggie's Bridge.

A large tree at the eastern end of Lake Loweswater and on the track leading to Maggie's Bridge.

Lake Loweswater - There is a circular walk around the lake which follows the lake shore and makes its way through Holme Wood - a small mixed woodland which runs down the south west side of Loweswater, and is populated by deer and red squirrels.

After an easy path on the Eastern end of Lake Loweswater, we had a road walking back to Swallow Barn.

Carling Knott as seen above Lake Loweswater and Watergate Farm.

View of Mellbreak Hill (1670ft) over Lake Loweswater and Hen Comb on the right.

Country side view from Watergate Farm, Lake Loweswater.

This is the Pinfold, from the Old Norse 'pin' (to seize) and 'fold' (enclosure). Animals that escaped grazed common land were put in the pinfold by the Pinder, a local constable. To get them back you paid a fine. Loweswater records contain reports on the pinfold from as early as 1655.

Dogs playing in Lake Loweswater.

Lake Loweswater and the surrounding area was the stunning setting for several scenes of the recent blockbuster Beatrix Potter film featuring Renee Zellweger.

Lake Loweswater beautiful countryside view, lake shore paths and fantastic views of the nearby fells.

Being one of the smallest lakes, Loweswater offers an opportunity for all to walk the 4.5miles complete circuit within a couple of hours. And what a couple of hours it was; beautiful countryside, lake shore paths and fantastic views of the nearby fells. Even the road walk along the northern side of the lake was enjoyable.