The Lake District

Martin and I on the top of Cat Bells


The Lake District

The Lake District National Park is situated in Cumbria in the north of England.  It is one of the most beautiful places in England with its high fell often snow-topped views interspersed with beautiful meandering lakes.  Full of cagool toting walkers with sticks striding heartily around.  Almost impossible to navigate alone during the summer high season.  We choose this time of year because, although often wet and snowy it is a quiet time so walking and can be a real pleasure.
Martin’s sister Claire suggested the holiday along with  brother Andrew.  So six of us went out everyday.  
We stayed in Keswick and our first foray was a mild no-hill 8 mile walk alongside Derwent Water Lake.  We packed marmalade sandwiches because we hadn’t really stocked up yet and so glad we did.  By the end my feet were killing me.  But it was all worth it for the peace and  serenity of the lake.
Derwent Water

Cat Bells

The next day we did the nearby Cat Bells walk.  I was informed it was a gentle hike with amazing views.  I was not disappointed although I would question the ‘gentle hike’ part.  I realise going to the lake district may involve a bit of uphill, I had brought my walking sticks with me so I was fully prepared but I didn’t realise it meant mountaineering!  There was one point where I was on my hands and needs scrabbling for a foothold.  The others laughed at my novice attempts and in the end the sticks got in the way anyway.  But, once on the ridge the views were tremendous and well worth it.
Where’s the path gone?

Wow!


Aira Force

Well I didn’t like the sound of this one the next day but I was assured it was National Trust and an easy walk with beautiful waterfalls.  They weren’t wrong, well, except for the five mile round walk with a lot of ‘ups’.  The falls were amazing though. 

What a mad bunch!

On the way back it was decided that my Trago boots had bitten the dust, the soles had come away and were falling off.  To be honest I can’t remember when I bought them but it must be a good twenty years or so ago.  Honestly they don’t make anything to last anymore.  Well as we were in the right sort of place it would be rude not to have replaced them.
Out with the old…

…and in with the new!

Castlerigg Stone Circle

For the past 14 years Martins sister Claire and husband Tony have had Milly their Spaniel,  I can’t remember if she’s a springer or a cocker but sad to say Millie has seen the best days of her long walks.  Claire and Tony took her out most mornings for a quick walk and the rest of her day was spent sleeping in her very cushy dog bed.  Today though we all took her to a nearby stone circle, again a very pretty place not to be missed but not much else there so after that we took Milly back to her bed and we took a journey along the Coniston Pass and walked around Ullswater Lake, a nice flat walk with a Cafè half way around!  What’s not to like?  I admit I had a hot chocolate with all the trimmings and a caramel chocolate shortbread, yum


Milly peeping out from behind a stone at Castlerigg.

Ullswater

All in all I found the Lake District inspiring and I wished I had brought my watercolours.  Martin was in heaven with Keswick and it’s real ale pubs namely The Wainwright Inn and the Dog and Gun and even had a plate of the latters’ famous dish, Goulash.  The next day we drove for 7 hours back to Cornwall. What a trip.



 

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