Like last year we were blessed with superb weather, though this time not quite as hot as it was then. The worst part of the week was the drive up on the Saturday. It took six and a half hours including a stop at Charnock Richard Services. The main problem was having to divert off the M42 to avoid a major delay.
After unpacking, we walked across the road to Tweedies Bar to watch City being humbled at Norwich. But the draft Loweswater Gold was wonderful.
Sunday 15th September
As Alison's sister and her husband were joining us later in the morning, we went for an early run around the lake. So when they arrived, we were eager to try a late breakfast at Harleys Bistro and Cafe Bar which had only opened this year in a converted chapel. The venue was excellent, the food was fine but the service was diabolically slow. If that continues, it wont last long.
In the afternoon we strolled up to the National Trust property that is Allan Bank. There is a nice woodland walk that goes quite high.
There are some nice views over to Grasmere and (below) Helm Crag.
And for the first time we saw red squirrels.
In the evening the four of us went for dinner at The Jumble Room which is only across the road from the cottage. The food and service were fabulous and we enjoyed a memorable evening.
The day had been dry but mostly cloudy with glimpses of the sun. Fresh at 16C.
Monday 16th September
Three of us decided on a walk up to Easedale Tarn, whilst Alison's sister rested her bad ankle and stayed in Grasmere. It was sunny as we started and were soon at the waterfall.
On arriving at Easedale Tarn, we decided to try and find the path that goes right around the lake which we had never before tried. It wasn't obvious at the start, but the views from the far end of the tarn were worth it.
We took the usual route back via Far Easedale.
It had been sunny all day and warm enough for tea and cake outside when we arrived back.
Tuesday 17th September
A low level walk took us from Elterwater along the Langdale Valley. This is the river at Chapel Stile.
There were some good views of the Langdale Pikes in the sunshine.
We had our packed lunch on a grassy bank just above the Old Dungeon Gyll Hotel. Again we had tea and cake outside when we returned to the cottage before our guests had to leave. They missed the red squirrel who dashed past our table outside. Hardly a cloud in the sky all day and a warm 18C.
We went again to Tweedies Bar for dinner and watching Napoli beat Liverpool.
Wednesday 18th September
I passed on the Bow Fell walk that Alison wanted to do, so I dropped her off at the NT car park at Dungeon Gyll and went for a run down the Langdale Valley. a mainly flat six and a half miles with a jog and walk at the end. The temperature had increased from a pleasant 12C at the start to a very warm and sticky 15C in the sunshine.
Back at the car park, I chatted to the NT man and had a wander up to the start of the climb up to the Langdale Pikes.
After a rest at the cottage, I walked through Grasmere to the building site that is Re-imagining Wordsworth, the £6.2 Million project to upgrade the visitor experience at Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum.
https://www.cumbriaslivingheritage.co.uk/reimagining-wordsworth-250-years/
I collected Alison from Elterwater at 7pm and parked at Ambleside. However both Dodds and Toi Inton were busy so we booked the latter for the following evening and had great fish and chips at Tweedies Bar watching City win away at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champion's League.
Thursday 19th September
We had walked the path around Ullswater a number of times before, but it is always a treat. We parked at Glenridding and took the ferry to Howtown with great views from the lake.
We stopped for lunch as the sun became warmer and warmer.
The walk seemed longer than the three and threequarter hours so it was nice to have a cup of tea on our return by the lake. It had been sunny all day reaching 19C.
Dinner in the evening at the thai restaurant Toi Inton was superb.
Friday 20th September
We saved a big walk for our last day. Only last year did we find the Easedale Ridge that started with the ascent of Helm Crag so we knew the route. It was still misty in the distance as we made our way up.
Along the ridge we came to Gibson Knott.
We had already left Helm Crag behind.
It is then quite a way to Calf Crag and we had lunch just before we reached the top.
It was then time to start heading downhill to the valley that is Far Easedale.
The best part of the return is seeing the ridge you have walked above you.
The walk took us nearly half an hour longer than last year at six hours and forty five minutes. I must be slowing down. It did seem longer and harder. There had not been a cloud in the sky so very warm in the sun. I cannot remember ever wearing just a technical t-shirt the whole way round.
There is much more information about the walk on last year's posting in July.
In the evening we went again to The Jumble Room for dinner, this time upstairs where we had never been before, much lighter and spacier. The meal was fantastic.
Saturday 21st September
We had to get up early to pack the car and get to the end of Windermere for me to run Fell Foot parkrun.
I was pleased with my time given the hard walk yesterday. Tea and a bacon roll at the NT cafe, a walk down the lake watching all the canoes being launched and it was time to head home. The return journey was much better at four and a half hours.
It had been another warm and sunny day. The weather for the week had been wonderful, one of those odd weeks when the the lakes is the place to be.
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