A glorious week of sunshine for Seaford Ramblers' 3rd visit to Keswick.
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The first day was a good leg stretching walk over Walla Crag and along the Watendlath Valley for a cup of tea at Watendlath. Then after a climb up to the top of Jopplety How we descended to Borrowdale and took the open top bus back to Keswick.
Day two saw us getting the bus to Castle Inn and walking back to Keswick via the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, Dodd and the the village of Applethwaite. On the way we visited the Osprey observation post on Dodd and followed a variety of paths through the forest.
Day three. Another bus ride followed by a walk back towards Keswick. This time we took the bus over Whinlatter Pass and through the country lanes past Crummock Water to Cinnerdale Common. From here we walked up Rannerdale where the bluebells were in their prime and over the pass with a diversion up to (almost) Rannerdale Knots for a wonderful view of the whole Buttermere valley. Then we followed Sail Beck UP and Rigg Beck DOWN to bring us into the Newlands Valley. A gentle amble along by Newlands Beck, where we saw a hare run across the fields, brought us to Wild Bryony and tea and cakes in the garden.
Day four was a rest day for some, but a hardy few tackled Skiddaw from Peter House Farm. The plan was to ascend via Ullock Pike and return by the North Ridge. However, in spite of brilliant sunshine it was very windy and we decided to avoid the exposed ridge by walking through the woods to Dodd and climbing up to Whitestones and thence to Carlside. From the col the stony path to the summit ridge was fairly sheltered but when we reached the summit ridge itself we had to hold onto one another for support - the wind really was gale force. We crept north and were relieved to find that the wind gradually eased as we lost height. Across pathless grass we descended to Cockup and back to the car. (with some childish bottom sliding en route!!)
Day five. Today we started with a trip on the launch across Derwentwater to Hawes End. We then walked round the foot of Cat Bells into the Newlands Valley, but soon climbed the grassy path up to Hawes Gate and on to Maiden Moor. A glorious walk along the broad ridge brought us to the summit of High Spy where we had lunch. Down hill all the way now, firstly to Dale Head tarn and then down into the Newlands valley, through Little Town - diversion for tea and cakes at Low Snab Farm - and back to Hawes End.
Day six. Final day and a foray into the wilderness of Glaramara - one of my favourite fells. Fantastic solitude - we hardly saw another soul all day. We took the bus down Borrowdale to Stonethwaite and climbed steeply through the woods alongside Stanger Gill. Fantastic views back down the valley to Rosthwaite whenever you stopped for a breather. Through a grassy wilderness to Bessyboot and across to Rosthwaite Fell where we had lunch. Having traversed round the Great Hollow and above Combe Door most of the party decided to lounge in the sunshine whilst Pauline, Richard and I climbed to the top of Glaramara - even Rex managed the scramble. After a leisurely descent of Thornthwaite Fell we caught the bus back to Keswick.
