After yesterday's torrential rain, it was a pleasure to wake up this morning to bright sunshine and a nip in the air, but the promise of warmer temperatures later. Mrs Cumbrian and me wanted to head out somewhere with the boy that could keep a four year old interested, but not exhaust his eight - months pregnant mother.
We decided on a visit to Dalton's Cave, a man made ( slate quarry ) cave in Borrowdale, just south of Grange. It's named after Millican Dalton, the self styled "Professor of Adventure", who inhabited it early last century. He made his living by guiding walkers and climbers, and taking people out on Derwentwater on his raft. His story would be of interest to many bushcrafters, so he could be worth Googling. I've got a book about him but it's on the loft, and if I go there I may not be seen for a few days.
However, to commence our journey.
We parked up at the car park next to Grange campsite. As soon as Li'l Cumbrian was in his salopettes and wellies he headed for the beck:
Dragging him away, we followed the path by the Upper Derwent.
Looking south:
And north:
The boy's still convinced that he'll find tadpoles in October, despite the fact that the tadpoles that he had in a bucket in the garden turned into frogs and scarpered months ago:
When we were able to get him away from the river, we walked through Low How Woods towards the cave, with many stops to explore runnels, becks and puddles, not to mention the picking up sticks, climbing trees and falling over the biggest, most obvious rocks on the path.
Finally, we approached Dalton's Cave:
We sent our little explorer ahead, to make sure that there were no bears.
As long as you're prepared to sleep on rocks, Dalton's Cave can accomodate large groups. Experience in arranging rocks for your bed is useful though.
Looking out:
The water supply. I've known this to lessen considerably, but never stop:
Just below and to the south of the cave, the power of tree roots is in evidence:
As we were going home, the boy was still full of beans and battering things witha stick:
The view up to Goat Crag:
And trying his best to immerse himself in water:
Hope that you enjoy the blogg as much as we enjoyed the walk,
Cheers, Michael.
We decided on a visit to Dalton's Cave, a man made ( slate quarry ) cave in Borrowdale, just south of Grange. It's named after Millican Dalton, the self styled "Professor of Adventure", who inhabited it early last century. He made his living by guiding walkers and climbers, and taking people out on Derwentwater on his raft. His story would be of interest to many bushcrafters, so he could be worth Googling. I've got a book about him but it's on the loft, and if I go there I may not be seen for a few days.
However, to commence our journey.
We parked up at the car park next to Grange campsite. As soon as Li'l Cumbrian was in his salopettes and wellies he headed for the beck:
Dragging him away, we followed the path by the Upper Derwent.
Looking south:
And north:
The boy's still convinced that he'll find tadpoles in October, despite the fact that the tadpoles that he had in a bucket in the garden turned into frogs and scarpered months ago:
When we were able to get him away from the river, we walked through Low How Woods towards the cave, with many stops to explore runnels, becks and puddles, not to mention the picking up sticks, climbing trees and falling over the biggest, most obvious rocks on the path.
Finally, we approached Dalton's Cave:
We sent our little explorer ahead, to make sure that there were no bears.
As long as you're prepared to sleep on rocks, Dalton's Cave can accomodate large groups. Experience in arranging rocks for your bed is useful though.
Looking out:
The water supply. I've known this to lessen considerably, but never stop:
Just below and to the south of the cave, the power of tree roots is in evidence:
As we were going home, the boy was still full of beans and battering things witha stick:
The view up to Goat Crag:
And trying his best to immerse himself in water:
Hope that you enjoy the blogg as much as we enjoyed the walk,
Cheers, Michael.
