Tarn Hows & Coniston

6 Oct:
Not raining as promised. Hurrah. Looked for barn owls in top barn with Ann; plenty of poo evidence but no birds. Lesley took a hydrangea cutting. Parked NT on Coniston Road and walked up Tom's Gill to Tarn Hows - longer, steeper and more slippery than we remembered. Elevenses on The Bench which is very brambled behind, will need secateurs when put Audrey's plaque on the back to join the others. Brief misting rain eased so continued round - it is almost 2 miles in total. Quick loo stop for Lesley and left boot off for Nic. Different route to car cos didn't fancy Tom's going down. Went down exit road, the footpath through yard of Tarn Hows NT cottage, and through Herdwick populated fields to car park. Excellent.

It was very busy with walkers so we thought Coniston would be stuffed, as was Ambleside yday. However we slid into a perfect parking space opposite the vintage place (which was closed) and slid into the last 2 seats in the Green cafe and ordered their wonderful soup and bread. Lesley nipped to the honesty shop and got a little knitted chick for Matt & Shell's new baby.

By time we left a misting rain had settled in, so thoughts of swimming were abandoned and we headed back to Ann's. Fire lit, feet up. This.

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