In May 2010 we enjoyed a splendid trip to the Lake District, staying in the Kirkstone Pass Inn (c.1496) with a wonderful view down the valley to the northern tip of Windermere.
Note 'The Struggle' winding off down the pass towards Ambleside on a challenging 1/5 gradient.
We began the first full day with light refreshments in Ambleside. The weather was good, spirits were high and Mary's hair danced delightfully in the breeze.
I don't recall which lake this was, perhaps Buttermere? We were on our way southwest towards Wast Water. Here's me,
April,
and both together,
We're very cute, I know, but perhaps not as cute as these young fellows. It was springtime in the Lakes and the lambs were out in force.
We were in the car for a good portion of that first day and the going was not always easy.
Finally we arrived at Wast Water in the west of the Lake District; classic Cumbrian countryside, with steep slopes right down to the water, huge scree slopes, and hillsides decorated in a thousand shades of green and brown.
Everyone was feeling adventurous; the blustery winds were no match for our indomitable spirit.
On our way back, in the general direction of the Kirkstone Pass, we drove up and over Hardknott Pass, the steepest road in England.
Peter admires the view from the top.
Then back to Ambleside for dinner.
On day 2 we headed north to Ullswater and the town of Glenridding. We rented a traditional keelboat (a gaff-rigged sloop to those who know) and headed out on the water.
We took turns at the tiller,
and April did her bit too, with her usual good cheer.
The lack of a steady wind made for slow progress and Peter was waiting for us once we arrived at the Howtown ferry landing, having hiked 6 miles around the lake.
We paused at the Howtown Hotel for sandwiches and a well earned cup of tea.
Mary and Robert set off again in the boat to sail back to Glenridding, while April and I joined Peter for the walk back.
Here we are looking northeast up the northernmost part of Ullswater; the boat is visible as the small red spot just right of centre.
We encountered a great variety of different landscapes on the walk back, including moss-carpeted woodland,
open grazing land,
and steep, rocky hillsides.
April made a friend along the way.
It certainly seemed like a nice place to hang out.
Day 3, time for some (semi) serious climbing. On one side of the Kirkstone Pass is a fell known as Red Screes, so called because of the high iron content of the stones comprising the several large scree slopes. Having done a 12 mile hike the day before, Peter had a relaxing day, but the rest of us donned our walking boots and headed off up the mountain.
Here we are stopping for a breather already some way up. You can see the Inn on the pass below.
Not a bad view from up here, thinks April. You can see Windermere snaking off into the distance.
April somehow found some extra reserves of energy late on and charged up to the summit.
And this is why people climb mountains.
That and the feeling of smug satisfaction when you show off the photos afterwards.
Near the summit we discovered this beautiful heart-shaped tarn (a small mountaintop lake).
Here we are on top of the mountain. I wanted to get a shot that showed the view in the background and unfortunately ended up cutting off part of April's head.
We took the easier root down walking along the relatively flat top (note the patch of snow, it sticks around for a while at that altitude),
then descending the more gentle slope to the southwest towards the now familiar town of Ambleside.
The day was not over yet: after rejoining Peter we had some hearty grub then set of for a more relaxing walk over Loughrigg Fell. Are you getting bored of the beautiful views? No, I didn't think so.
Then back to the inn for the hiker's reward.
Ontarians gain particular satisfaction from the freedom to take ones beer outside the pub and across the street.
We finally bade farewell to the Kirkstone Pass Inn and set off on a circuitous route home that first took us east into the Yorkshire Dales adjacent to the Lake District. The driving was fun as always; here is a typical two-way road.
We stopped for lunch in a picturesque village on the border between Yorkshire and Cumbria called Dent,
where we enjoyed...
Well, maybe.
A memorable trip for all concerned.
