A Walk in Conder Country: Monday July 19th 2010

Despite the recent inclement weather and the very mixed forecast for the day, a group of 8 walkers met at Birk Bank car park above Quernmore. Well attired for rain, we set off in warm sunshine!

Many of the pleasant tracks were surrounded by bilberry, gorse and heather, with bracken almost hiding them in some places. The field paths were surprisingly dry and sheep and cows watched our progress. This walk involved some ascents and high stiles - perhaps more than usual for an "Easier" walk (leaders have taken note of this!) - but the views made it all worthwhile. From Littledale Fell, Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells provided an excellent backdrop to the gentle foreground of Cragg Wood and the Conder Valley.

Instructions for the walk described crossing the "tiny River Conder" via a slab bridge and "crossing a marshy trickle followed by the burbling infant Conder" higher up the fell. However, after days of rainfall, we found a fast flowing river by the slab bridge and a raging torrent to cross on Littledale Fell.

We had some rain - but the walk ended as it began, in warm sunshine.

Carole Harman