Walking. Gossip. Travel.

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Lake District Week – Scafell Pike

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links]

Today we climbed Scafell Pike, which is the highest mountain in England, and it stands at 978 metres above sea-level. I’ve climbed it before, and six of us went for the climb today. Sarah had a migraine, and I’ve been asked to make clear that it wasn’t alcohol related. Although the subject was hotly debated today.

We had a little bit of a rearrangement of cars and we drove to the start of the walk, which was nearly 90 minutes away from Keswick. It’s unfortunately not far as the crow flies, but it’s a long way by road. But we got there, and the enormity of the mountain started to loom over us. We decided to do the east route from Wasdale Head, so there were no challenges in terms of the difficulty of the climb, it was just a lot of ascent.

Steve and Gordon at the beginning of the walk, looking rather like terrorists…

Calm and sunny at the start of the walk.

Gordon and Steve having a little break.

Beautiful views.

The view over Wast Water as we climbed up.

Steve posing by the water.

Our first obstacle was a river which went across the path. In the above photo it wasn’t too bad in the morning, but the rain later on made this rather more torrential. I just ploughed through the stream directly, although I managed to get water come in over the top of my boot (I was very brave). The others faffed about looking for an easier spot to cross. I didn’t say anything though, I didn’t want to brag about my bravery.

The view from a little higher up.

The walk through the valley, with the mist now being more obvious. It also blocked our view of the summit, which we never saw from afar.

The walk is more challenging towards the top, much more stony and rocky.

Gordon at the summit. He’s only gone and done it! There’s a story about that coat. It’s a very expensive coat….

Dave and Gordon near the top.

Steve at the top.

Steve, who was wearing his sunglasses to protect himself from the sun, at the top.

Steve kindly brought some Haribo to the top of Scafell, and I was delighted to eat several of them.

And here I am at the top. So very brave.

Dave has done it! He looks about 25 here…

The going down was harder than we anticipated, as the volume of rain had made it more slippery. A lot of the descent is on stone and great care had to be taken to ensure that there were no falls. Gordon and Dave did slip over, but no harm was done. Steve B was also very graceful whilst descending the mountain, positively skipping down it.

Gordon complained a bit, but was great fun, and Steve M just made the whole thing look so easy. Maggie was also really caring dealing with Gordon’s tendon and putting him at his ease. Well done to Maggie, Steve B, Steve M, Dave and Gordon for completing Scafell Pike, so very brave! I was delighted to finish too of course.

September 20, 2025
Ambleside – Greggs

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

We went to a couple of pubs during our visit to Ambleside, but then I noticed this little shop. Since time was running out before we returned to the car park, this seemed an excellent choice. Gordon had kindly bought everyone crisps in the pub, so this sufficed some people, but not Dave and me.

Sweet treats….

I was going to have a chicken bake, but then they put out the sausage rolls. Straight from the oven, and hotter than the centre of the sun, I couldn’t resist. And I wasn’t disappointed….

So that’s another Greggs ticked off my very long list.

September 18, 2025
Lake District Week – Slater’s Bridge

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links]

This bridge is said by some to be prehistoric, but it actually primarily dates from the sixteenth century and was likely used for carrying goods across the river. It was designed to be used by packhorses, so it can carry some considerable weight, and is formed of three separate sections.

The bridge was also later on used by those working in the nearby quarry to move slate across the area. Some books refer to the name of the bridge originating from the slate that was carried across the bridge, hence Slater’s Bridge.

The first section we walked on.

The coffin shaped central section.

The very brave expedition leader. I wanted a photo on my own so that I looked the most important.

A group photo.

And another group photo.

And another group photo…..

September 18, 2025
Keswick – Golden Lion

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links]

It took a few attempts to find somewhere to eat tonight, but we ended up at the Golden Lion which was our on initial short-list (the short-lists are drawn up by the same committee that decide who wins the bravest person of the day award….). Most people in Norfolk know this pub as the scene of Richard’s Ploughmansgate debacle.

To my horror they’ve taken off the Ploughman’s. Perhaps it’s because the chef can’t cut cheese at night 🙂 (long story)

I had Cumberland sausage, because we’re in the Lake District. The sausage was meaty and the chips were excellent, all with a rather lovely gravy. At this point I must mention that Gordon bought this meal for me, and, by an amazing coincidence, he won “person of the week” at exactly the same time. So lucky.

Looking forwards to Hellvellyn tomorrow!

Some of us thought shots were a good idea.

How lovely.

Delicious! The service at the bar was excellent, which is really part of the reasons why we kept going. Although Dave and I are rather easily led…

Dave and I kept going, we needed shots as an energy burst. They were vodka infused with various sweets, and although they were near the end, the Werther’s Original one was delicious.

September 17, 2025
Keswick – Pack Horse

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

The Pack Horse in Keswick, where we decided to celebrate our brave day of walking to the top of Scafell Pike.

Despite this pledge the welcome offered was perhaps just a little unfriendly, but the server who served us for the evening rescued the situation.

The pub was bigger internally than we had expected when we entered, and the cheerful server found us a table on the top floor.

The pub is a Robinsons pub and it was serving their Wizard real ale. It was well kept and at the appropriate temperature, although the beer itself was a little lacking in depth of flavour.

The decorative glass roof in the pub.

Dave and Steve with their meals.

This bottled beer was a little expensive, but it had a subtle taste of ginger which wasn’t too overpowering. It’s strong at 6%, but it had a refreshing taste.

The chicken and ham hock pie in a light pastry, and which was in a red wine gravy. I couldn’t actually taste the flavours of the red wine, but the gravy was still rich and added positively to the pie experience. The chips were fluffy inside and the vegetables retained some bite, but the star of the show was the pie. Filling, tasty and rather lovely 🙂

Steve went off to have a private conversation with what he said was the love of his life. I assume he meant the Greggs in Keswick.

This was an enjoyable experience, with friendly service from the server and food which was reasonably priced and which had a depth of taste to it. The server was engaging and we didn’t experience any delays with food or drink service. And that pie filled me up nicely.

Incidentally, the conversation ended up talking about Gordon and Maggie’s shoes. It’s not repeatable.

September 17, 2025
Lake District Week – Quiz Competition!

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

I don’t really run quiz questions on this ‘fascinating’ blog. But today there’s a first. It’s a guess what Gordon is doing quiz, so pick from the three options!

Is Gordon hiding:

(i) Because he’s spilt something in Steve’s shoes?

(ii) Because he’s hiding from Maggie after forcing her to make sandwiches and then buying numerous sandwich based items from the shop anyway.

(iii) Because he was scared of doing the big Scafell Pike walk.

Answers on a postcard….

September 17, 2025
Lake District Week – Ennerdale Lake

[I originally posted this in September 2018 but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

I remember walking Ennerdale when I was younger, and it has ever since been my favourite lake in the Lake District. I’ve walked it a few times, and it’s a peaceful and scenic location and the walking is relatively easy.

We started the walk from Bleach Green car park, with the sign noting that “it takes its name from a former flax bleaching works which was located at this site. The Mill was built in 1866 on the banks of the River Ehen using water power supplied by the lake, The bleach works had closed down by 1923”.

At the start of the walk Gordon couldn’t work out why his bag didn’t fit as he expected. He had been trying to put Steve’s bag on…. It was clear that Gordon hadn’t made up the story that he’d had no sleep.

Here’s everyone at the start of the walk, ready and eager to get going.

There were a few slightly tricky sections, with Dave being careful not to get another paper cut, as he’s had his arm in a sling for months after the last one.

Around thirty minutes into the walk it started to rain, which turned the paths into streams. I thought that this really added excitement to proceedings, definitely adding another dimension to the walk. Steve M really excelled himself, he talks his walking ability down, but I saw him leaping over streams like a mountain gazelle.

Here Gordon comes, the brave soldier, plodding on without complaint. He didn’t fall though, indeed nobody did. Well, Sarah did, but we won’t mention that.

What balance!

The waterfalls started to flow down the hills with some force.

Gordon, who acquired the same protective bag cover as Maggie so they looked similar from behind, walking along with Dave.

I was delighted that the Hike Norfolk first aid kit was finally put to use, as I’m tired of carrying it about with no-one getting injured. Gordon’s little toe was a bit hurty, so we put a plaster on it.

I have no comment.

The stream which flows into Ennerdale Lake from the bridge crossing.

Above are photos I took in the afternoon, when the sun started to show itself a bit more. We did have a lunch stop at Ennerdale YHA, but I’ll post separately about that.

The delightful Sarah, Steve, Gordon and Dave – what a wonderful little group!

It was a really lovely day today, getting us ready for the vigours of tomorrow. The rain really added to the experience in the morning, making it more exciting trying to cross streams which were getting ever wider. It wasn’t a long walk, around 11 miles in total, and it might be one of our most leisurely of the week….

September 17, 2025
Keswick – George Hotel

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links. I can’t remember why I didn’t take a photo of the food….]

The location for this evening’s meal was the George Hotel in Keswick.

The pub’s menu was quite large, indeed probably too large for them to cope with, but the idea of the George Gigantic Pies was a rather good one. Unfortunately none of our group went for this option to take a photo of it, but looking at pictures on-line, it looks pretty impressive.

Getting ready for the meal. One of the highlights of the evening, other than the rather unusually intellectual chat, was how Dave managed to introduce himself to nearly everyone in the pub. All that sociability would give me a headache, but Dave absolutely loves it.

The pub is one of the most historic in the town.

The inside of the pub was atmospheric and just a little dark, which suited the building’s historic nature.

The Sneck Lifter, from the local Jenning’s Brewery (who also operate the pub) tasted well-kept and was of a good quality. It has a slight chocolately taste and it’s got a strong taste, although it does have an ABV of just over 5%.

I had the fish and chips, which was reasonably priced given the location and the popularity of the pub. It was well presented, but the batter lacked any depth of taste, the mushy peas were generic and the chips were average. And there was no tartare sauce, or indeed black pepper, to try and add some flavour to the meal. But, I spend enough time writing about food, so I won’t drone on further. And I sound like Bev if I keep on with this criticising 🙂

The pub environment was though really pleasant and the 1665 building has numerous little interesting areas. There was rooms to let, although I wonder if they’re haunted…

September 16, 2025
Lake District Week – Keswick Greggs

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix some broken image links]

We’re climbing (well, walking up) Scafell Pike today, so I had a long think about where I could get the healthy and nutritious food I’d need to support such a walk. And then I thought of the place.

Greggs. I haven’t been for ages (since Saturday) so this will be a little treat.

They have a limited selection of baked goods in the morning, but they had a chicken bake, so all is well with the world (unfortunately that isn’t really true, but all is well with the geo-political situation in Keswick today).

Cakes galore. The service was friendly, as I’d expect from Greggs, and it was surprisingly busy at before 08:00 in the morning (they’d opened at 06:30).

A chicken pasta salad and a chicken bake for later, I’m now looking forwards to walking up this big hill.

September 16, 2025
Lake District Week – Ennerdale YHA

[I originally posted this in September 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

We weren’t staying at Ennerdale YHA, but there was some tempting signage which meant that we did have a little afternoon stop there. And it reminded me of the plan I’ve had for some time of hiring an entire youth hostel for a weekend on behalf of the Ramblers, especially since I’m a life member of the YHA.

There were rather pleasant views of the river valley from the youth hostel’s main lounge area, with Steve taking the best seat. But, this was more than allowable as he shared his Haribo with us. And very lovely Haribo it was too.

Dave taking charge with the menu options, and he then prepared us the hot drinks himself. He’s very domesticated. We stayed in the youth hostel for around 40 minutes, and it did mean we were able to pretty much dry off after the morning’s rain.

Gordon also regaled the group with humorous tales from his life, with our favourites being about his hotel room and his steak in Budapest. He’s a born raconteur.

Outside the youth hostel was this vicious bull. However, I was very quiet and sneaked by it, so all was well.

Someone came into the youth hostel with a lovely border collie type dog, but unfortunately it kept moving too fast to take a photo of it which wasn’t blurred.

September 16, 2025