Walking. Gossip. Travel.

Tag: Lake District

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
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
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
Lake District Week – Bulls in Field

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

So there we were earlier, happily walking around a lake and then we find this. A rampaging bull charging towards us, risking our lives. I admit, it wasn’t actually a bull, but it was the same sort of size. And it wasn’t rampaging, although it could have done. And it wasn’t charging, but, it looked angry.

I rushed off and just left people behind. I’m brave, but not stupid… I’m not letting these huge wild animals threaten me if I can avoid it…

September 16, 2025
Lake District Week – How the Other Half Live

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

I’m just waiting for the photos from today’s walk to upload, so in the mean-time I just wanted to note Gordon’s accommodation. He’s paying the most out of any of us, but as he noted this evening, “I’ve been diddled”.

For some reason he has some protective covering on his single bed (the fact that it is a single bed has not pleased him) which meant that he didn’t get much sleep last night because of the heat. Or, to be precise, absolutely no sleep at all. He did though snatch a few minutes sleep in the car on the way to the walk, so he did get some rest for today’s walk.

Gordon also planned ahead and acquired a sandwich container to put his sandwiches in. Just a slight problem that his hotel has refused to make him any.

But, he has been very brave about the whole day. Despite his lack of sleep, he powered on like a trojan, letting nothing get him down. Other than the rain and the walk itself. And he now has earplugs, so I’m confident that he’ll get a good night’s sleep tonight.

I’m writing this from my room with a lovely double bed, quiet environment and temperature control. But, as people who know me will admit, I’m the last person to comment on such things. But I’m eagerly awaiting news tomorrow morning of how he gets on tonight…..

September 15, 2025
Lake District Week – The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (Keswick Wetherspoons)

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

Last time I was in Keswick, this Wetherspoons was just about to open. Indeed it opened the day after we left, which wasn’t the greatest timing…. But the building is of historic interest itself, a primarily Victorian court-room (well, 1901, but near enough) and police station, with attached cells. The judicial complex of buildings was built on the site of the town’s former workhouse, so it’s had a rather miserable existence in many ways. It’s now a substantial pub and it presented an ideal place for us to visit on our first night in Keswick.

Initially it was just Steve and I at the pub. There’s a back story to that, but it involves Gordon and Maggie saying they were in Wetherspoons and then not actually being in Wetherspoons, they were standing outside Steve’s accommodation. So, since it was just Steve and I, I thought I’d buy a round. But just in time, and much to my irritation, Gordon and Maggie turn up at the bar, hence making my round more expensive. But I didn’t complain. Well, not audibly. Anyway, I digress….

Steve and Gordon doing some head shots in one of the former cells.

The former cell, and we had someone turn up later on who said that he spent a night in the cell in the early 1980s. I’m not sure that he was joking….

This reminded us of someone….

Now, this was good, a nice rich flavour.

Sarah, Steve M and Dave were arriving a bit later on, and I absolutely insisted that we wait until they got there until we ordered food. But Dave said we should order. So I did. But I only had a little starter, as I’m not greedy.

The former court room.

How lovely.

Gordon ordered the most expensive thing on the menu….

The door to our little cell….

The group altogether! And there was a wave of gossip when Steve M, Dave and Sarah arrived. I must admit, their car journey sounds extreme, they were talking about all manner of subjects that I can’t possibly repeat on this blog…..

I was keen to visit this pub given the building’s history, and the potential to take photos of the cell, but I think we’ll try the other local pubs and restaurants for the rest of the week.

September 15, 2025
Lake District Week – Day One

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

It’s the Hike Norfolk week in the Lake District this week, and I’m all ready and fully packed. We’ll be brave and will be conquering (well, struggling up and then struggling down) the delights of Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Ennerdale Lake and the pubs of Keswick.

Today is the driving day up to the Lakes, and I’m being driven by the group’s official driver, Steve. His driving is excellent, much better than some of the rubbish I’ve seen from the group (I won’t name names, but he knows who he is) and I’m delighted to hear that there are numerous stops of interest planned along the route. I intend to photograph them so I can look back and remember them, as I imagine they might be a highlight of the week.

Looking at the list of people going, I dread to think of the gossip and drivel that will be got through during the week. But, no fear, I’ll be there to lift proceedings and ensure that all topics of discussion are wholesome and suitable for family audiences. The group really are lucky to have me.

I’ve decided that taking a coat would be a good idea, since I was reminded last night how cold it is up the top of some of the hills, so that’s packed. And, just for special measure, I’ve packed the Hike Norfolk first aid kit, as you never know what injuries might befall Dave. He’s already recovering from an injury that he claims was caused at work, although there’s a rumour that it was a more seedy injury. But, I’m not one for gossip.

Given that it was Bev’s 60th birthday party last night, I’m hoping that no-one was led astray during those proceedings, but I think everyone was responsible…. I can’t wait for what Bev will buy me for my 35th birthday as she was very delighted at my purchase for her 60th. And I’ll say again, she doesn’t look a day over 50….. Right, I doubt I’ll say that again if I’m being honest. Anyway, that’s nothing to do with the Lake District, but we will miss Bev this week. Well, maybe.

So, that’s the start of the week, how lovely!

September 15, 2025
Lake District Week – An Image of Bravery

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

Unfortunately I didn’t have the right setting on my phone and the photo is a little small (although like with all the photos, if you click on it, then you’re presented with a larger image which fixes the issue). However, it was noted (by me) that this is everything this week will represent. Brave, courageous, handsome and likely very wet.

Lots more photos from today’s expedition to come shortly, but for anyone looking now, this is the picture of bravery that should be in your mind for the moment.

September 9, 2024
Lake District Week – Photos from Hike Norfolk

These photos were taken by other members of the group on our trip during the week, and I’ve just pinched them so that they can be seen by future Hike Norfolk members 🙂

September 15, 2018