RAMBLING CLUB LAKE DISTRICT WEEKEND

7-10 May 2010, based at Grange in Borrowdale

Friday

The weekend started with us gathering at a respectable 11 am for a short walk at Powter How just outside of Thornthwaite. The walk was up Barf and then Lord’s Seat. From the car park it looked a frighteningly steep ascent, and it was! Thankfully we went up the path that ran along the side of the slick of slate along running down the side of the hill. From this steep path we a good view of two large stones known as the Clerk and the Bishop. The Bishop is apparently painted white every year by school children in the area and can be seen from the road as you approach Powter How. We continued to climb the path which went up through trees, where pretty white sorrel flowers and violets dotted the path. We were also accompanied throughout the walk by a cuckoo intent on telling us spring was finally here. Every now and again we got a chance to stop, catch our breath and turn around to take in the ever increasing view of the landscape behind us, which was of rolling hills, and lakes. After a scramble over a fallen tree across a drop, the “tricky bit” of the walk, the climb became less of a challenge to the calf muscles and opened out of the trees to grass and heather underfoot. We got to the top of Barf where we were rewarded for our hard work with an amazing panoramic view of Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water which we admired while eating lunch. Then we walked on to Lord’s Seat, and although we had clear views, all the way to the Isle of Mann and Scotland, we were buffeted by a freezing wind which could have blown a few of us off the top of the hill. So we did not stay long and started our descent back down the hill. After scrambling down the hill it was time to get to the Borrowdale Gate Hotel which is nestled in the Hills just outside of Grange. The Hotel rooms were very comfortable, and after cleaning up we gathered in the communal area to watch the lambs hopping across the field while we decided what to have for dinner.

Saturday

After a hearty breakfast, we gathered at 10 am start our walk straight from the Hotel. We started with a short walk along the road to into Grange, where we turned off the road and had a walk through a moss covered wood, past a camp site which included heated yurts. From there we walked over a bridge spanning a stream which led to fields full of little black lambs, hoping and skipping at request. We then followed the path up gently beside Stonethwaite Beck and stopped under Yew Crag to have a cup of coffee before going on the steepest bit of the walk of the day. Unlike the day before this path was stepped, and required a lot of concentration on where we were putting our feet. The path was very steep and a challenge to most of us, but we all made it to the top. We all took it in our own time, had rest stops to gasp for breath when necessary, and take a peak at the view behind us. Just when you thought you beaten the steps, hiding behind a hump, the landscape opened out to reveal one last zig zag up and over again. However with a final push, that was the last bit of the steep steps and we could all collapse at Watendlath, by the ruins of a stone shelter, for a rest and to put on some sun tan lotion to protect us from the sun streaming down. Once we got our legs and breath back we admired the view over the valley below, and the hills that surrounded us, which were lush green with villages nestled against the hills, winding roads criss-crossing about the valley. Fortified by the either cake or fruit from the Hotel packed lunch we continued our walk on a much gentler ascent across moor land, with heathers and grasses to keep us company. We were making our way to a Dock Tarn for lunch, however the wind picked up making it cold, so we found some shelter among the rocky crevasses to eat lunch. After we had filled our bellies we started off along the moor land for a level walk until we got to the descent which was a quick decent down back towards Grange. About half way down there was an option to continue up to Watendlath Fell or to take a short path down into Grange to sample the local ale in a pub and catch the bus back to the hotel.

Sunday

Although the weather forecast predicted snow it was lovely and sunny and we started out from the hotel again. We started the circular walk in a similar way to day before but forked off at the wooden bridge in the woods. This time taking a stony path, which lead towards Cragg Castle where some chose to go up. The rest of us walked past this and up the rocky terrain to a path that swept around the side of the hill, giving us lovely views of a wider valley and rambling hills and included a view of where we had walked the day before. We were all surprised at how small the hill looked; we were already looking over its summit. The gentle path soon swung round to reveal a very steep rocky path straight up a ravine of the hill. However it was not as long an ascent like the previous two days and we were quickly walking along moor land again with a gentle incline up to Goat Crag. Once at the top of Cockley How the scenery opened out to Cat Bells and views of the Derwent Water, where we could see boats sailing about the lake. Lunch was taken looking at this view, and once we were all refreshed we started walking across the top of the hills, giving us sweeping views on both sides of lakes and a valley with a farm nestled below. We made quick progress as the descent down to a path which forked. Some people chose to continue up to Otterbield Bay and then take a ferry back to the hotel, others left the walk here to walk back towards the Hotel down a gentler descending path. That evening we all took part in the traditional Club quiz.

Monday

We awoke on Monday morning to a dusting of snow on the hill tops where we had walked the day before. Having checked out of the hotel, we made our way to the next walk in the Skiddaw area. A short circular walk which started across a short area of moor land to the edge of the hill, from where we got fabulous views of the distant hills with their peaks covered in snow. The path skirted around the edge of the hill and through a narrow valley. The hills opposite us had snow on their peaks making the scenery majestic. The path gently dropped down into the base of the valley, where we had quick coffee break by a small stream before continuing around to the opposite side of the valley. We were accompanied by sheep and lambs scrambling about the hill and popping their heads up from behind the rocks and heather to watch us go by. The path gently rose up to just above the level where we had started on the other side. We then ambled down the hill where we had glimpses of blue bells beginning to flower; we continued through a small wood, past an ancient cottage, across a stream and up a short hill which took us back to the car park.

All in all, the weekend was great success. We were blessed with great weather, not having to get our rain coats out once. All the walks boasted fantastic views. The hotel was lovely with friendly staff, comfy rooms and great food, and shared with good company.

Beshlie Squires