This was a very impromptu walk having looked at the forecast on the previous day it didn't look good. So a tentative arrangement was made for an early weather check the next morning. Saturday morning and evidence of a glorious day so we set off. Walks are chosen for many reasons, a new challenge, a recommendation, an old favourite. This one was chosen on the notion that the name "Willie Wife Moor" intrigued us no greater reason.
We stopped by the splendid old fashioned AA phone box in a lay by at the south end of Dunmail Raise. Kira, my daughter's Springer was joining us so we set off over the fence into the field.
The start off the ascent towards "Willie Wife Moor" with perfect conditions for a February.
The ascent provided some great views north towards Thirlmere and later views on to Skiddaw.
The route proved to be somewhat of a trudge beyond the initial stage with lots of 'tussocky' boggy ground reminiscent of walking on little use Scottish fells. We soon reached the lower path from Dollywagon to Nethermost, just as the mist began to come in... The lack of any sheep gave me confidence to let Kira off the lead. This is the start of her fell walking career and she showed great promise. Despite a phenonemal amount of energy she never strayed far and came back when call, even with the lure of other dogs or big snow banks to play in.
This picture is to prove that Kira can sit still, for a bit anyway.
Striding Edge
Helvellyn was quickly achieved and sported the usual array of tourists, someday I may come here when no one else does but I am not sure when, Christmas Day perhaps.
Grant showed some degree of anticipation on the final section. This was due to me telling him that the conditions were perfect for seeing a 'Broken spectre'. He said that he had never yet seen one and I in an element of one-upmanship said that I had seen three, all of them from the summit of Helvellyn. Whilst we were sat at the summit shelter or more accurately the shelter just down from the summit an elderly gent was waylayin passers by and directing them to the edge. This turned out to have no nefarious intent but he was obviously the self-appointed broken spectre guide, ensuring no one missed this erie spectacle. Grant was made up to see and photograph his first BS. Two further sitings were made to recall the old joke that broken spectres were like London buses, you never see one and then etc etc.
It was at this point in the walk that decisions needed to be made. We had set with no thoughts other than to get up Willie Wife Moor, at the summit of Helvelyn out only real alternatives were to retrace our steps. Until in the impromptu nature of the day I suggested that we continue, eventually reaching Thirlspot where if time permitted we could partake of refreshment at the King's and then do something quite quaint. catch the bus back. This idea met with sufficient enthusiasm from Grant to march on.
