SCOUT SCAR - 2 Oct 23

A croaking sound heralds a giant V formation of over 50 geese serenely sliding high over the valley, soon drowned out by practising fighter pilots - engines roaring and stealing their thunder as if to say 'We can fly too, and much faster than you'!

The ground, covered in short grass and limestone clitter, on closer inspection hosts a wide selection of species:  moss, smooth white fungi, toadstools, harebells, field scabious, heather, autumn hawkbit, red clover, buttercup, oxeye daisy, herb robert, knapweed and ladies bedstraw are the ones I could recognise.

The memorial viewpoint gives names to 360 degrees of Knotts, Crags, Fells and Hills all laid out under a cloak of grey sky, enticing exploration.

Cairns large and small dot the scar and the largest is crowned with a magically balanced stone stack. The top of the ridge is lined with tortured looking larch? skeleton trees bowing away from the wind and creating a slightly eerie atmosphere in great contrast with the lush vast

green views below.  The treetops are about to turn colour and the green field patchwork sewn together with mosaic stone walls enclosing sheep and cattle grazing with a backdrop of hills, rolling clouds.  There is silence but for birds with varying calls and a rusty farm gate creaking 200 meters below but sounding close by.

Two fell runners and countless dog walkers pass by, very few others without canine company but all with a friendly greeting.

All of this is less than two miles from Beast Banks and I feel very privileged to be staying here!