Thursday 15 October 2015

Autumn Trip to the Lake District Day 1 and 2.

The journey over from Grimsby yesterday went well.  Despite towing the caravan, we arrived at the Windermere Camping and Caravan Club Site by 4.00 pm and were soon set up on our pitch surrounded by silver birch trees in the prime of autumn colour.  Although large and busy, the site is very pleasant and quiet, well away from the main road and set in open woodland.  It was good to be back in the van and settled in.  It wasn't long before son, Thomas came to join us; he had been walking all day with fellow Outdoor Studies students from the University of Cumbria; they had done the Kentmere Horseshoe.  Once darkness fell the stars emerged and what a night sky.  Every star was crisp and clear and the Milky Way arched over our heads.  After our meal Thomas headed back to his flat in Ambleside and we settled in for an early night.

After a relaxing start this morning, Heather and I drove to Ambleside to walk up Loughrigg Fell.  The weather was superb; all we could have wished for and the Autumn colours glowed in the morning sun.  Soon we were out of Ambleside and up onto the fellside with stunning views up to the Fairfield Horseshoe.  Loughrigg is a relatively small hill and we were soon enjoying the views from our lunch spot close to the summit.  There were excellent views all around, those up Langdale to the Pikes, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags being especially noteworthy.  Once we continued on steeply down from the summit we began to get fabulous views of Grasmere and its lake way below us.  We soon reached Loughrigg Terrace and wandered easily round to Rydal Water and then on good paths and a quiet road by the River Rothay back to Ambleside.

By now Thomas was out of lectures and keen to show us the flat and then it was time for our evening meal in Dodds, an excellent Italian Restaurant in the town.  Following this it was time to rehydrate in The Golden Rule, in my opinion the best pub in Ambleside and one I have frequented for many years.

Well fed and watered  returned to the site for another ringside seat of a fabulous star spangled sky and an early night once more.

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