Today’s photos take us towards and along the limestone pavement for which this area is famous. The following description is copied from the pages of the Visit Cumbria website that relate to Sunbiggin Tarn and Great Asby Scar.
“Great Asby Scar National Nature Reserve (NNR) contains some of the best examples of Limestone Pavement in Britain. Limestone pavements are nationally rare and have been extensively damaged by removal for garden rockery stone. Since the glaciers of the last ice age melted (about 10,000 years ago), weathering of the limestone has created deep fissures, or grikes, which divide the pavement into blocks called clints.”
“Woodland plants grow in the limestone fissures. Among them are harts tongue fern, wood anemone, dog’s mercury, rigid buckler fern, and limestone fern. Uncommon herbs such as angular solomon’s seal and bloody cranesbill grow in the pavements. Trees include small hawthorn, hazel, and ash.”
Onwards along another muddy stretch of moorland trod path beneath ominous clouds.
A drystone wall leads us along the path ahead.
Some scattered limestone blocks mark the beginning of the limestone pavement.
Two back-markers from our ramble. Most of our route will avoid the need to walk across the surface of the “pavement” because it is both difficult to navigate and, at this time of year, dangerous. Ice lurks in the clints and the deep fissures are an ever-present ankle injury hazard.
Featured Photo
More limestone pavement and a view of a sunlit industrial area in the far distance.
EXIF data: 1/15 secs @ f/11 and 55 mm. ISO 100
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