Yesterday it was camels today we saw stone sheep or, to be more precise, roche moutonee. They are strange shapes rocks that have a smooth slope on one side and are rough and broken on the other, not a lot like sheep really, which are soft all round and bleat. We saw plenty of those also and were told about the herdwick sheep. Herdwicks are the turncoats (sic) of the ovine family. They start black but in later life their coats lighten and become whitey-grey... maybe there's an opening for Cumbrian farmers in this economic downturn, Grecian 2000 for herdwick sheep!
Past the sheep and up the valley, broad bottomed and steep sided typical for one formed by a glacier. The members of 8d are beginning to get the hang of these features now and we stop on a couple of occasions to complete our field sketches and copious annotating. 8b are on the same trip and we pass them while they stop for a rest and then they pass us as we have our lunch. And what a spot for lunch, atop a white foaming waterfall over-looking the valley below leading down to Grasmere. Plenty of opportunity for photos while sandwiches and drinks are taken.
We keep climbing, taking the odd moment to pick out more glaciation features, such as moraine (not to be confused with the lady that gives out phone numbers) and a corrie lip (not to be confused with slang used on the long-running soap). We're now at the top, well by Easedale Tarn. On a warmer day one might tempted by a swim, but low cloud has cut off the tops of the surrounding hills and the prospect of even dipping one's toes in the water is distinctly unappealing.
A little adventure following some more sketching and labelling; we have to cross the stream flowing from the tarn by means of some well-placed National Trust stepping stones. All safe and then down we go, single file, for the path is much narrower here. Something Morgan discovers to his chagrin as he tries to pass George and ends up sitting in a bog. Yuck. George denies any assistance in the matter and he seems to be sticking to his side of the story. This is not the last of the mud and several other succumb to lack of concentration and miss their footing to rather smelly affect - Olly R, Chris F, Maddy amongst others.
But then its back on the proper road and we arrive back in Grasmere shortly afterwards. There's something about Grasmere that reminds me of that town in The Truman Show, ever so just too perfect. Anyway we bought a few icecreams and some hot-chocolate powder.
Back at Blencathra there was a chance to wind-down and some classwork to be done before a slideshow of the days events and a chance to wish Will a happy birthday with a cake provided by the centre.
Past the sheep and up the valley, broad bottomed and steep sided typical for one formed by a glacier. The members of 8d are beginning to get the hang of these features now and we stop on a couple of occasions to complete our field sketches and copious annotating. 8b are on the same trip and we pass them while they stop for a rest and then they pass us as we have our lunch. And what a spot for lunch, atop a white foaming waterfall over-looking the valley below leading down to Grasmere. Plenty of opportunity for photos while sandwiches and drinks are taken.
We keep climbing, taking the odd moment to pick out more glaciation features, such as moraine (not to be confused with the lady that gives out phone numbers) and a corrie lip (not to be confused with slang used on the long-running soap). We're now at the top, well by Easedale Tarn. On a warmer day one might tempted by a swim, but low cloud has cut off the tops of the surrounding hills and the prospect of even dipping one's toes in the water is distinctly unappealing.
A little adventure following some more sketching and labelling; we have to cross the stream flowing from the tarn by means of some well-placed National Trust stepping stones. All safe and then down we go, single file, for the path is much narrower here. Something Morgan discovers to his chagrin as he tries to pass George and ends up sitting in a bog. Yuck. George denies any assistance in the matter and he seems to be sticking to his side of the story. This is not the last of the mud and several other succumb to lack of concentration and miss their footing to rather smelly affect - Olly R, Chris F, Maddy amongst others.
But then its back on the proper road and we arrive back in Grasmere shortly afterwards. There's something about Grasmere that reminds me of that town in The Truman Show, ever so just too perfect. Anyway we bought a few icecreams and some hot-chocolate powder.
Back at Blencathra there was a chance to wind-down and some classwork to be done before a slideshow of the days events and a chance to wish Will a happy birthday with a cake provided by the centre.
4 comments:
Fantastic reports Mr Phillips.
We feel like we are there with you all the way.....accept where you all fall in the bog.
Cannot wait for the next installment.
The Furmstons
'except' not 'accept' of course,please don't give me a spelling test. Stuart
"Wot", no daffodils?
The slide show is superb, didn't realise that Lord Snowdon was on the trip. Presumably Mr Galbraith collects royalties on the sale of postcards made up from the photos?
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