Spoiler: our Haweswater circular walk did not end in premature demise through being butchered by angry stags despite the blood curdling barks echoing over the mountains. There were at least 2, I'm inclined to think 3 but we couldn't pinpoint any from over the other side of the reservoir.
Our circular walk mid point was at the Mardale End car park where we spotted a small notice explaining that the footpath we needed was closed for 'health and safety reasons' which was met by my deeply furrowed brow and expletives as to why this hadn't been made clear at the other end...

As it turned out, the path was virtually undetectable in most places, it has clearly not been walked regularly enough to keep it clear. I imagine when presented with a choice of lovely clear road or thrashing through undergrowth on a slope the obvious winner gets the foot traffic. As it was mid October there really wasn't much using the road on out 5 mile route march.








If you missed the first instalments catch part one and part two if you fancy it.

I would recommend this as an easy 10 mile route for walkers who like views but don't especially fancy heading up to dizzy heights for it. A good stretch of water and mountains surrounding are equally beautiful.
Take care,
Sophie

If you didn't already catch the first instalment of walking around Haweswater then now is a prime time to take a look before heading forth towards Mardale Head. Of course the blue skies didn't last forever. As you can see, the path occasionally took the high road but it wasn't that bad.



There was a strange and troubling sound carrying over the fells which we surmised was perhaps a sheep perhaps in anguish. The hills and rocks and rocky outcrops could easily spell trouble for a sheep who lost it's footing or wandered off course. I pushed t thought from my mind and continued on. From time to time the terrible noise permeated our quiet walking bubble and I assumed the sheep in trouble was growing more agitated in it's stranded state.
A chance sighting of this doe threw a curveball and immediately my blood ran cold with the realisation that it was not a sheep in trouble but a randy stag looking for a fight we had heard. 
I scanned the surroundings; expecting to see something, anything to indicate where trouble lay. In my head we had suddenly found ourselves in the centre of where all the wild creatures were migrating to for all the action. My mind started racing with fears and alarm which of course C couldn't remotely understand, but there was nowhere to escape to in case of confrontation as we were flanked by a (dangerous) reservoir to the left and mountains to the right. Pressing on was the only logical option.
See the jurassic park style gates? Should have been a giveaway. Areas were fenced off to protect new planting from being annihilated by the deer grazing.



It turns out we didn't fall victim to angry stags. The sounds continued throughout the walk.




You would be forgiven for thinking I'd worn the same outfit every day on holiday. To be fair the trousers needed washing every night as the mud migrated up to knee height by the end of the day. All the mess.

There will be at least one further instalment but maybe a fourth if the rest won't fit.
Have a wonderful weekend and make sure you enjoy your time however it is spent.
Take care,
Sophie

 The very last of the heather flowers were fading.


 My assumption (above) is a holly but I'm unfamiliar with the clustering of berries to this extent. 


This was the best example of a fly ageric I've ever seen ( C spotted it of course) but it was in SUCH a dark thicket of trees that it was incredibly dark which is why this picture is so horrendous but I'm sharing it nevertheless.


Above: who nibbled???
Below: Who knocked it over?







How has your autumn felt so far?
Sophie