Hiking
Fantastic hike surrounded by granite peaks over 3000 m. Great views in ideal weather, enough melt water to power the waterfalls but still ice and snow higher up to top off the views. And autumn berries on the bushes.
More photos: Lac de Lauzon (2018 m.), Cirque glacière de Gioberney - Parc national des Écrins
La Meije (3984 m.), seen from Gare de Peyrod d’Amont (2414 m.)
La Grave (1400 m.), seen from Gare de Peyrod d’Amont (2414 m.)
Stepping out from the cable car at 2414 m., the air is cool from the breeze down from the glaciers of La Meije (3984 m.) towering immediately above. I chose a track roughly contouring across the Côte Fine leading to the Lac de Puy Vachier. Dramatic views of the valley and the now-dry mountains opposite across the valley of the Romanche, the river a vertical kilometre below. The geology is impressive. Walking the path, the chilly glaciers above become hidden by cliffs, leaving the thrill of the views down or along the valley and the magnificent diversity of the Alpine flowers.
More photos: Lac de Puy Vachier: La Grave - La Meije, Oisans, Alpes-de-Haut-Provence
Ford of the River Darent at Eynsford, Kent
Eynsford Castle, founded soon after the Norman Conquest. Abandoned 1312.
Plenty of water in the River Darent at the ford at Eynsford. We hiked up to the valley ridge for the views and the cool of the woods rather than the main Darent Valley trail, which stays closer to the river. Fine views of the Kent farmland and woodlands in full summer glory, then a lunch in the shade at the pub by the Darent at Shoreham.
View over Wast Water to Scafell (910 m.) and Scafell Pike (978 m.), on the right, also Gable (899 m.)
Greendale Gill - Tongue Gills
Up on the fells and away from the crowds. Seatallan (692 m.) summit gives a fine view of the coastal apron of Cumbria, reminding me of the coastal apron typical of mid-ocean volcanic islands; also a fine view down to Blengdale. The path is unmarked but there are fell runners’ routes and precipitous turf staircases.
Middle Fell (582 m.) isn’t as high but has one of the stunning panoramas of the Lake District. There’s an unbroken view over Wast Water to Scafell (910 m.) and Scafell Pike (978 m.), on the right, also Gable (899 m.) and hazy views of Skiddaw (931 m.) and Blencathra (868 m.) in the distance. Great spring sunlight and visibility though the outline of the Isle of Man was only very indistinct though the mist.
Thanks to Samuel for another great choice of route
More photos: Seatallan (692 m.) and Middle Fell (582 m.) - Lake District National Park
Hiking the Darnley Trail in Shorne Woods Country Park in Kent, named after the Earls of Darnley, who previously owned Cobham Hall, Mausoleum and Cobham Park and much of the farm and forestry land we hiked.
So much history under our feet: this route straddles the Roman Watling Street, the HS1 railway and the A2 trunk road. These woods concealed the accommodation blocks for RAF Gravesend airfield whose pilots flew Hawker Hurricane fighters in World War 2. The RAF left in 1956, the accommodation blocks in Ashenbank Wood were demolished and by 1970 the airfield had become Riverview Park housing estate.
