NOTE: The Corney Fell Road is best avoided late afternoon when Sellafield is going home!! The stream of BMWs and Audis gives no quarter to innocent Geocachers. (thanks to MBFACE for the reminder)
Mighty Mouse - Fact and Legend If youre standing to the south of Black Coombe, and look up at the humps and bumps which comprise Whit Fell & Buckbarrow, (to the NNE of Black Coombe) they resolve themselves into what appears to be a large mouse creeping along the ridge into the heart of the Lake District. “Local legend has it that after a disagreement between a sorcerer and the local populace, the cunning mage fashioned a monstrous mouse from a hay rick, commanding it to ravage the nearby township of Millom (the towns main source of income, at that time, coming from the production of a form of brie). After two score and five weeks of the giant rodent's depredations the inhabitants of the town were desperate, their elected elders sent out deputations to all points of the known world, to all they thought could be of assistance to them. Contact was made with St Bartholomew and on being promised a mass conversion of the populace, to Christianity, he promised his aid in ridding the town of the fell beast. The saint set off within the week, persued a long and perilous voyage across high seas and eventually arrived in the vicinity. Having got wind of his imminent arrival the giant mouse attempted an escape over the fells, across the Whicham valley then up and over Swinside Fell, after 7 miles it fell down exhausted to rest and sleep, (the long sojourn in the town had been no preparation for these exertions.) The holy man was having egregious problems also, being fresh off the boat and still having his "sea legs" and heavily burdened with his bishop’s staff and mitre (for through fear none would care to assist him), at last he was able to close quarters with the now sleeping beast. With several waves of his gilded crosier and a chanted latin prayer he called upon everything holy and the giant rodent was turned into a pile of stoney rubble, in so doing he saved the Millom cheese mongers.”(Ref. "Folk tales of Old Cumberland" by Rev G W Riddsdale 1885).
How to get there: Take the Corney Fell road just after the Duddon bridge (turn right) on the A595. If approaching from Ravenglass, fork left up the steep turning about 1/2 mile beyond the bridge over the river Esk. The usual fell walking caveats apply ie the wearing of sturdy footwear is advisable and have a hot lemon flavoured drink available at all times.
Parking: There is plenty of space for parking near the cattle grid. (N 54° 17.715 W 003° 18.477) just before the road starts to its descent towards the coastal plain bordering the Irish Sea. Bit of a let down. No sign of any gigantic mouse once you get there. Views down to Eskmeals and across to be the Isle of Man are fantastic on a clear day.
Note: Stoneside 360 can be accessed from the same spot - 10 minutes walk in the opposite direction.