Autumn Trip to the Lakes, Day 3 and 4

Our third day was a relaxed and chilled out affair.  Thomas cycled out from Ambleside and some old friends came to visit from near Cartmel.  Lunch was at the excellent Wilf's in Staveley , after which we popped into Booths in Windermere to shop for tea.

Thomas joined us again in the evening and stayed the night so that the two of us could get an early start for a day's walking, while Heather went into Kendal to visit some art galleries.  Our plan was to complete one of the 'Wainwright Walks' that my brother and myself had had to abandon in February in the face of 80 mph winds and blizzard conditions.  Parked up in Glenridding, Thomas and I were soon on our way up the hill and pulling up to the bleak rounded summit of Raise.  Although dry, there was a brisk wind up here and we soon began to cool down, so put on some some layers before crossing Whiteside and finding a sheltered spot for lunch.  By now the cloud had descended and the summit of Helvellyn was in the murk.  It didn't take long, though, to pull up to Lower Man and then cross the plateau in the mist to the trig point on the summit before returning to the huge cairn at the top of Swirral Edge; our way down.  Steep and exposed, this makes for an exciting way on or off the mountain to compliment its more famous partner Striding Edge on the opposite side of the comb.  Once Swirral had been negotiated it was a quick scramble up to Catsyecam, the last Wainwright of the day and a cup of soup and cake.  It was all down hill now back to Glenridding, enjoying the superb Autumn colours on the way.

Once back at the car, it was time for a refreshment stop at the Brotherswater Inn on the way up the Kirkstone Pass and then back for a meal of pasta at the van.

An excellent day.

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