Rosthwaite, Derwentwater, Keswick

4 Oct:

Forecast good, no other commitments, so a long day out with sandwiches and a flask. Lesley was driver-of-the-day. An hour to NT car park at Rosthwaite via Keswick, capacity less than 20 and we got the last space. On the way down Derwentwater we eyeballed the car park which looked on Googlemaps satellite to be perfect for swimming, it's right by the beach, but alas the NT has put up a barrier at 1.9m and we are 2.1m - aagh. The drive through Borrowdale is beautiful; flat, wide (for the Lakes) with towering, rounded tops both sides. Love it.

We followed walk 10 in Ann's book Walk The Lakes - we'd forgotten to bring any of our books! It took us through Stonethwaite and up the valley of Stonethwaite Beck on the NE side past Bull Crag, stony enough to have to look down a lot. We crossed Greenup Gill and then Langstrath Beck in the shadow of Eagle Crag. There was some high jeopardy stone step balancing across muddy bits. Nic saw a red squirrel for about 2 seconds. The return on the SW side was easier walking, so if going again (to continue 15 miles to Grasmere!), use the SW side. Lunch was eaten in stages and completed back at the van. 1hr15 out and 1 hour back. 



We found another little car park at the bottom of the road to Ashness Bridge only 100m from the water. Derwentwater proved to a be bit chillier than Windermere so we only stayed in 5 minutes. Very refreshing. An elderly lady walker took a picture of us. The van is so good for getting changed in and having another snack.

Got to Keswick in time for charity shops plus tea and a bun. Swimming makes us hungry. Nic almost got a bargain wool & cashmere overcoat but sadly the sleeves were too short. We did learn about walking sticks from a nice young man in Mountain Warehouse; he recommended their bargain starter poles, which was out of stock. We'll try Ambleside or online. 

At Ann's, Owen was working on her garden and Jackie was in the bath. Then Dylan arrived 'to see Anma' though we suspect he likes riding his new motorbike. Then they all left with lots of goodbyes and we cooked our lamb chops and veg.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Conwy & KP

Image
 Good, cosy night. Used gas for coffee and microwave for porridge. Spent a few hours in Conwy, parking outside the tiny town centre. Another big tick and worth revisiting. Coffee at marina, ice cream on quay, lunch in van. Easy 90min drive to Gatley. Much chatting, eating, drinking. They had early shift so bed at 9pm. N caught up on Must See Moments from Paris Olympics. L reported a river swim, poetic progress, and a new friend who is in Plymouth Labour - small world.
Read more

Gatley & Cheadle

Image
 KP both working 6am-2pm. Leisurely morning for N, doing this blogging and planning tomorrow and Scotland in Sep. Heard the v sad news that Audrey didn't wake up this morning. A peaceful passing. She was the last of that generation in L's family on either side - loss of a much loved aunt and end of an era. An unusual view of the van. KP & N walked to Cheadle, to a park and then a chi-chi coffee shop for cafe kuchen. Quite hot walking. Collapsed on garden sofa for a good read. K has had a 9% pay rise, the first she's ever not fought for. Obviously this new senior journalist role on BBC England page is going well. Pete also v happy with his SJ (producer) role on the One. They are having trouble, the nice kind, deciding what to do with all their weekends together. Mushroom stroganoff and Olympics highlights completed the day.  L reported a sea swim with two others again, despite rain; these poets are hard core. Also read to N a beautiful/sad long poem written that day. The...
Read more

Four days more

Image
 26th to 29th September Sunday we went on a modest walk to Tilberthwaite and back, with some rain along the way. At night we finished the fizz that had been a celebration of our wedding anniversary. Monday we set off early for Tarn Hows, despite the rain. We had a mission, to say a prayer for Lesley's uncle Hugh and scatter his ashes in the lake, without being observed by NT staff. We also screwed a third plaque into the back of Our Bench at the lake, to join the ones which remember Lesley's mum Deirdre and sister Mary. Then we drove to Coniston for some retail therapy at the Vintage shop - green clip earrings and a silk hankie - and an early lunch at the fantastic Green Housekeeper cafe, where soup & bread is a meal. Thus fortified we had a walk along the lake side towrads but not as far as Tolver. Tuesday dawned and resolutely remained wet and windy. Lesley's birthday (pic) was spent unapologetically inside, reading, opening presents (which involved more reading) and ...
Read more