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Spring Walk June 2014 Ambleside and Borrowdale, 5/06/2014 - 9/06/2014

Thursday 5th June.

Travel day

An early start, trying to avoid the worst of the traffic, aiming to reach Ambleside by lunch time.

The journey was not too bad but there were a couple of slow sections with some heavy rain at times a bad omen for the walking. We travelled up in 3 cars Dick, Bill, Phil and Paul in one, Ian, Graham and Richard in another finally Steve, Andy and John in the remaining one. Dick and Steve both stopped at Knutsford around the same time but did not see each other. The last time we stopped there on a walk it had been some grand views but alas not this time. We all arrived between 11:30 – 12:00 at Ambleside YHA, a great spot right on the lakeside. It was however midge city, something Dick was to suffer with later. The Hostel has been refurbished and has a cafe/bar. Pat had been unable to join us but he was with us in spirit as the Hostel bar had 3 hand pumps all Jennings.

After a fine lunch and some light refreshment we set out on a loosening walk to Troutbeck. We all set out ( except Ian and Graham ) towards Jenkin Crag then some turned off to go up Wansfell Pike down Nanny Lane to the Mortal Man the others carried on via High Skelghyll and Robin Lane to meet up later at the Mortal Man. Pete had arrived at the hostel and was informed to where we were going, so drove to meet us offering anyone who wanted it a lift back, we declined this time as it had been a pleasant walk. There was due to be a beer festival there at the weekend and they were setting up a bar with a dozen pumps unfortunately it was not ready ( there were no free samples either ) so we just had to make do with the 4 normal beers, still good though. It had stayed fine for the walk so we took some light refreshment in the garden before returning back to Ambleside via Robin Lane and Jenkin Crag.

Ian and Graham did not walk with us as Ian was trying to complete all the Wainwright’s. He had 7 to go so went to do Steel Fell before returning and joining us for dinner, now 6.

After a shower it was into Ambleside for dinner at the Queens Hotel then back to the Watersedge Inn before retiring for the night.

Friday 6th June.

We woke up to another fine day though the mist was still hanging over the lake it soon started to burn off and the sun shone all day.

After breakfast we packed as we were moving on to Borrowdale YHA taking in different routes as is our way. Ian and Graham drove straight to the hostel to do Rosthwaite Fell and Glaramara another 2 Wainwright’s Ian needed. The rest of us drove to Threlkeld where Paul, Bill, Steve, John and Andy set off to go up Blencathra via Sharp Edge coming down Halls Fell to meet in the Horse and Farrier. Andy had done this route twice before so he split from the others and went further north to Bowscale Fell, adding to his alternative (to Wainwrights) list of peaks exceeding 2000'. He returned via Blencathra and the same descent as the others before joining them at the Horse and Farrier. Dick, Phil and Richard walked along the disused railway track to Keswick with Pete cycling alongside. They stopped at the Oddfellows Arms ( appropriate for them ) to sample some Sneck Lifter before returning to meet the others and move on to the hostel.

Roland called Dick and asked to be picked up from Keswick as there had been a problem with his bus connections, he duly obliged.

We went on to the Scafell Hotel for dinner not the best we have had but filled a hole then some went on to The Langstrath Country Inn to book us in for Sunday dinner.

Saturday 7th June.

We woke up to sun but the forecast was showers. Bill said rain what rain he would put money on there being no rain ( we are still waiting for the money ) but by 11:00 it had started to rain but not as heavy as it could have been.

Ian and Graham went off to do Great Crag and Grange Fell 2 more Wainwright’s. Paul, Bill, Roland, Graham, Steve & Ian went along Langstrath, missed the bridge, forded the beck then walked steeply up to Dock Tarn & Great Crag, then Grange Fell, avoiding Watendlath (Another walking group on the way told us the tea room was shut, however Andy later informed us it was open & He & John had been in there). We were just coming down towards the Bowder Stone when Andy & John caught us up. Roland had a fall here on wet stones while chatting to Bill & hurt two fingers (still painful). All walked into Grange for tea & buns.

Andy and John had also started via Langstrath some twenty minutes earlier than the others and coincidentally also missed the bridge and forded the beck at exacltly the same spot. However, they continued up the valley via Lining Crag and Greenup Edge to bag Ullscarf, another 2000 footer ticked off Andy's list. Mind you, it could have been anywhere as the rain had set in and visability was down to 30 yards for a mile or so, luckily navigation was aided by rusty old border posts. After Watendlath Fell they went to the 'not to be missed' tea room at Watendlath Tarn for well earned refreshments. Coincidentally they cought the other group on the way down to the Bowder Stone before going on to the tea rooms at Grange.

They then got the bus back to the hostel to get washed and changed. After a cleanup they went to Keswick some eating in The Bank others in the Chippy. After a visit to The Dog and Gun and a Taxi back, Roland managed to upset the taxi driver by taking some more chips into the taxi. It was the taxi drivers fault as he was early! Said Roland.

The others ( Richard, Dick, Phil and Pete ) went to Keswick where they decided to get the launch across the lake. Dick got the wrong tickets so they had to walk a bit further. Pete was more sensible and got an around the lake ticket. As the weather was fine and sunny when they got on the launch they went to the front but as they moved out into the lake the wind got up and they were getting soaked by the spray so moved back under cover ( wimps ). Dick, Richard and Phil got off at Hawes End ( raining by this time ) walking along the shore line. Pete stayed on till the next stop. We all met at the Ladore Hotel for refreshments. The walking was very pleasant with the trees keeping the worst of the rain away. At the hotel some people were gathering for a wedding, some of the outfits were better than others. After refreshment we started to walk back to Keswick along the shore again in the rain not too heavy though. Pete stopped at the next boat stop and we arranged to meet at The Dog and Gun later. After drying out a bit we went back to the car but on the way had to stop as Phil had left his new £5 pole in the pub, Pete then went to get some chips then Dick got a call from Phil saying he was lost. Dick then went and found him before we all returned to the car and hostel. As the others had gone off we ate in the Hostel and took advantage of its bar hearing the others tales upon their return.

Sunday 8th June.

We woke up to another fine sunny day staying so throughout the day though it was windy up top.

After breakfast we again split up Roland went to meet an old school friend whom he had not seen since he was ten ( many years have passed since then ) at Cockermouth then going on to Workington before returning.

Ian and Graham went up Seathwaite Fell another Wainwright only 2 left for Ian to do now. Paul, Bill, and Steve went with them but carried on to Great Gable, Green Gable, Base Brown and back to Seathwaite. On Great Gable Bill tried to do some landscaping with his ear but the landscape would not budge and his ear complained. Andy and John went up Base Brown, Green Gable, Great Gable, Kirk Fell and returned via Napes Needle traverse on the southern flank of Great Gable to Sty Head and back to Seathwaite Farm, where Steve Paul and Bill arrived down within five minutes of them! It was thought that a small cafe was available at Seathwaite farm but this was closed so off we went to the Yew Tree farm cafe in Rosthwaite for PINTS of tea all round.

Dick, Phil and Richard walked to Grange along the river where they met Pete. After a tea Dick and Phil decided to walk back along the Allerdale Ramble to Seatoller and back along the river to the hostel. Pete and Richard went to Buttermere via Honister pass.

We all met up later at the hostel and after showering it was off to The Langstrath Country Inn for dinner, the best meal of the weekend, good beer also.

Monday 9th June.

Although Bill had cleaned his ear well he was not happy with it so whilst the others had breakfast and decided what to do Dick took bill to Keswick Cottage Hospital. Here they did some more cleaning and put a butterfly stitch inside his ear. When we left the hostel it had been sunny but had started to rain by the time we came out of the hospital. When we got back the others decided to go to Keswick as some wanted to get some bits before going home.

Steve (whilst on his mobile) nearly got knocked over by a mobility scooter in Keswick. How ironic, surviving Sharp Edge & Great Gable only to be nearly taken out by an ‘old boy’ on his mobility scooter!

We all met at 11:30 for tea/coffee before going home. It was just as well we did not go walking as the heavens opened and the rain came down in torrents. When we left Keswick the rain was very heavy but as we drove down the motorway we left the rain behind, all got home safely. It had been another good walk again lucky with the weather a good time for one and all.