Coffee and scones at Grasmere Tea Garden went down a treat in the afternoon and after the ritual of purchasing some Sarah Nelson's Grasmere Gingerbread, we headed back to the site. A quick nip up Walla Crag rounded off the day.
This morning's mist cleared quickly from most of the tops. It could have been 'the old days': not a soul did we see on our way up to Coledale Hause but we knew, of course, that others would be out to enjoy the promised fine weather.
In a sheltered spot high above Hobcarton Gill we stopped for tea. Three figures appeared on Ladyside Pike. Should we go there from Hopegill Head? Whiteside maybe?
Unlike the Munros and Corbetts we did not note the dates of ascent of the 'Wainwrights' as they are now known, but Whiteside must have been an early one - 1973 or thereabouts. Whenever it was, neither of us remembered this delightful, rocky, ridge walk to its summit. The view back to Hopegill Head, and to Grisedale Pike beyond, was grand and we had that very journey to look forward to after a bit of lunch.
This was taken sitting amongst the blaeberry bushes. I removed a tick - my first of the year - from the back of my hand. The return along the ridge had us smiling all the way and in no time at all we were skirting Hobcarton Crag and on our way to Grisedale Pike.
The cold wind had gone. It was hot. How often have those words passed your lips this year?
The top was busy and we moved on quickly to escape the uncommunicative gathering. All remaining liquid refreshments were quickly consumed on our descent but thankfully, cold ginger beers awaited us at the motorvan. The last time cold ginger beer came to our rescue was at the Old Forge in Inverie. Different worlds.
Keswick was going like a fair and we were glad to be passing through.
Harry Griffin wrote, in 1970, of the "growing menace of mass tourism" in the Lake District and that "in places some of the old flavour has already disappeared". What now, forty-three years on?
Martin and Sue. Good to see you are enjoying glorious weather too.
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3 comments:
Ticks seem to be everywhere this year. We even had one on a canal walk in Lancashire. I thought the cold weather would have seen them off, but no.
Thanks Gibson
I haven't had much time to catch up with bloggers recently. Pleased to see that you are enjoying/have enjoyed the Lakes in some excellent weather.
Sue is now enjoying Manchester's heatwave, and since our first week we've seen very little rain whilst walking, thanks mainly to lots of early finishes.
Hi Martin. We had a fabulous time in the exceptional weather, but I've been too lazy to write up our last three outings! Enjoy the rest of your expedition.
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