Testament to the power of water, the boulder strewn stream bed in the lower section of Gunnerside Gill.

Seen from the Sir Francis Dressing Floor the lower section of the gill is enclosed by mature woodland, drapes to hide the drama to come.

Still at the Sir Francis Mine this fine set of Bouse Teams were used to store the lead ore before cleaning and dressing, the Dressing Floor can be clearly seen through the trees.

The Sir Francis Level was the last large scale project, started in 1864, to speed up the driving of the level compressed air rock drills were introduced, powered by a water wheel standing outside the level, this photo shows the air receiver still guarding the entrance to the level.

The spoil heaps of the Dolly Lead Mine.

The scars of the hand of man, on the right the Bunton Mine and on the west bank the Lawnathwaite Lead Mine.

The Bunton Level was the main access to the workings on the east side of the gill, mining was well under way as early as the 18th century.

One of the Bunton Levels, built to last.

From the Bunton Dressing Floor views to the Lownathwaite Lead Mine and the North Hush, why Hush? because the impact of a Hush in action can have been anything but quiet.

The romanesque arches of the Blackethwaite Peat Store.

Peat needed to fuel the ore-hearths at Blakethwaite Mill and Lownathwaite was cut and dried on the moors above. Once dried it was sent down to the peat store on a peat slide that ran down the side of the valley, it was stacked for use in this open sided building.

Blakethwaite Smelt Mill, built to cope with increased production in the 1890s, the mill was blessed with two ore-hearths to cope with ore supplied from the Blakethwaite and Lownathwaite Mines.

From the Blakethwaite Smelt Mill views up Blind Gill. Just out of interest the Blakethwate Smelt Mill and Peat Store, for some reason have been omitted from the Ordnance Survey Maps.

At the head of the gill progress is abruptly halted by the Blakethwaite Dams. From the top of the dam a peat path leads a further 200 yards in a south-easterly direction to a perfectly good land rover track leading to the Blakethwaite Lead Mine followed by an airy walk across the moors.

After passing the Old Gang Mines turn right ( if you walk in the same direction as me) at the ruins of Moor House. Don't forget to take a map and compass, It's a long walk round if you drop into the wrong valley.

Striding across Melbecks Moor looking to the desolation of Brownsey Moor, the track I'm following can just be seen top right, it's hard to go wrong from here.

Looking to the valley of Barney Beck with Reeth High Moor rising to the left.

Grouse Butts on Slade Head.

Heading down to civilization, the steep descent to Gunnerside.

After a morning in the confines of Gunnerside Gill and the lonely walk over Melbecks Moor, it's good to see the welcome site of Gunnerside village, even better if the pubs serving food.