The worst thing about navigating is finding your way out of towns, villages and particularly housing estates, the latter is where I found myself today, what looked simple on the map turned out to be a maze, a friend (who lives in Windermere) said "just walk down Droomer Drive, you can see School Knott, just head straight for it" yes Gary! I've never been up School Knott and never had to ask the local postman for directions, two firsts in one day can't be bad.

I parked in a small lay-by on the edge of the A591 just up the hill from the Windermere Hotel, there's ample parking down Thwaite's Lane more or less opposite the lay-by, my route took me down the hill, left past the Tourist Information following the traffic down High Street, at the Crescent a left turn was made down Oak Street, (just before the traffic lights) on reaching the park a footpath on the left lead to Droomer Drive, with School Knot now visible I strolled down Droomer Drive then Droomer Lane, on reaching the junction of Mill Rise and Mill Brow for the second time, the local postman directed me down a tarmac lane between hedges to reach and cross Mill Beck Close, through the gate and straight up the grassy slopes of School Knott, my planned descent was north on what I thought was a perfectly legal right of way, the gate was chained and padlocked, I guess my presence wouldn't be tolerated on the other side of the wall, so east through the Birch Woods of School Knott Plantation to reach the lane over Black Moss, north again over the railway to the main road, now with the constant flow of traffic for company and tarmac under foot I followed the road past Bannerrigg Farm, at the bottom of the hill a right turn was made down a country lane, after 200 yards a fingerpost directed me to Orrest Head to enjoy the view that inspired Wainwright, to be followed by a short descent back to Windermere.

School Knott and Orrest Head.	back to list view route map
	Finally clear of the houses, on the lower slopes of School Knott looking to the summit.
	Storm clouds over Great Langdale.
	As I ascend higher Windermere Lake tilts into view, still raining in Langdale.
	From the summit of School Knott views across Windermere, still raining in Langdale.
	Looking to the hills that close the head of the Troutbeck Valley, Stony Cove Pike and Caudale Moor.
	I never expected to see these from School Knott, Wainwright's "herd of sleeping Elephants", the Howgill Fell.
	Wansfell Pike seen across Orrest Head..
	Views across Windermere, looks like the rains getting worse over Langdale.
	School Knott seen from the verge of the A591.
	No fancy work on photo shop, the fields at the bottom of Banner Rigg really were this green.
	From the summit of Orrest Head views to the Troutbeck Valley.
	And northwest across Windermere, still raining in Langdale.
	From the summit of Orrest Head stunning views down Windermere Lake.
	Looking to the Coniston Massif, to the right the rain still falls over Langdale.
	To the south over the grey buildings of Windermere, on the far horizon Morecambe Bay.
	With it's head above the trees, the green mound of Banner Rigg.
	The southern end of Windermere Lake as seen from the summit of Orrest Head.
	Nearly back to the hustle and bustle of Windermere.
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