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.

To view large, pleas click on an image.

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.

To view large, please click on an image.