Lake District Holiday
Saturday 30th June 2018
This morning we decided to head back to Ullswater to hire a sailing boat. We had looked into it the day we went there for a paddle. Our boat was a Seafarer.
While we got changed and ready they prepared the boat for us. Once in the boat and Tim got us going he explained the different bits I needed to know and what to do. He took us up the lake to a nice clear area where I could then take the helm! Due to the mountains around us the wind was very variable. We spent 2 hours going back and forth, up ad down round the lake. I really enjoyed my sailing experience!
Once back on land we got dried off and changed and found a spot to sit for lunch looking over the lake. It was lovely sitting in the sun watching the boats as there was a breeze today.
We decided that this afternoon we would walk up to Aira Force and High Force.
This evening we went to the pub for dinner and then had a relaxing evening. Tomorrow we are planning an early start to walk the Fairfield Horseshoe avoiding the heat so an early night is in order!
Lake District Holiday
Friday 29th June 2018
Today's choice of activity is Climbing! Yesterday when we were in Needle Sports in Keswick we were talking about the places we had looked up to go climbing. A few of the places we had researched were mentioned. We decided to visit Long Scar, part way up the mountain Pike of Blisco! Getting to this crag involved driving half way along Wrynose Pass - a steep single track pass with 1 in 4 gradients!
We parked on the edge of the road near the Three Shire Stone. We could see the crag, there were some people already climbing there. We set off out to the crag. When we got there we had to work out from the guide book where we had arrived to. We thought we were near a nice easy climb to get started. We sauntered up it and when we got back down we chatted to another climber and realised we were not where we thought we were! Later on we were able to work out what we had just climbed a route called Tiree (1 on the photo below). We then climbed Islay (2 on the photo below), Platt Gang Groove (3 on the photo below), Roxy (4 on the photo below) and fially Dot's Delight (5 on the photo below).
When we climbed Dot's Delight we took our back packs up with us as we planned to carry on up to the top of the Pike of Blisco.
There was a great view at the top, also a lovely breeze to cool us down - I was hot and knackered!!
The route back to the car felt like a long way! It seemed to take for ages for the car to feel like it was getting closer!!
When we got back to the car it was about 6pm we were both hungry. We headed back to the apartment for pizza and a well earned rest!!
Lake District Holiday
Thursday 28th June 2018
Today we planned to have a look round Keswick and then go to Kettlewell Car Park on Derwent Water for a paddle.
We got to Keswick around 10 and had a look round the shops and visited the pasty shop! By the time we left and got to Kettlewell car park there were no spaces and everyone seemed to be settled by the lake for the day!! It was so hot we weren't surprised. We abandoned the idea of paddling on Derwent Water and decided to make our way to Bowness-On-Windemere. Not having that map with us it took us a little while to find the correct place to be for lunching! Eventually we found it, unloaded the stuff and got ourselves ready. It was so nice to get in the water!
We went down the East side and after 2 1/2 miles we decided to cross the lake and come back up the other side. At about 5 1/2 miles we thought we would just quickly go round the island and back to the slip way. We hadn't quite realised how much island there was! It seemed to go on for ever!!
Although not our original plan we had a nice paddle on Lake Windemere and there was a bit of a breeze!
We headed back to the apartment via Booths in Windemere to get a bit more food shopping. Got everything tidied up and showered before dinner and a relax. It is very hot in the apartment this evening even with windows open, fan going and blinds down!!
Lake District Holiday
Wednesday 27th June 2018
This morning we decided to go for a paddle on Ullswater lake. We also wanted to find out about hiring a sailing boat so we parked up and walked round to the area that hires out boats to enquire.
We got the kayak all inflated and ready to go and set off round the lake. After about a 1 1/2 miles we stopped on Norfolk Island for lunch!
It was very hot so I took the opportunity to cool down by getting in and having a paddle.
Back in the kayak we continued on further round the lake. This section was the deepest bit of the lake getting up to 60m deep in the middle! At about 3 1/2 miles we decided to cross to the other side and make our way back up the otherside of the Lake stopping off at a beach to stretch our legs and cool down again!
By the time we got back to the shore we had paddled about 6 1/2 miles. Looking at the map afterwards we could see that there was a lot more lake up the other end an could be a trip for another day.
Back at the apartment we sorted everything out and got some dinner on the go ready for a relaxing evening!!
It looks like the weather is going to stay like this for the rest of the 2 weeks! We have never had such hot weather on our holidays!!
Lake District Holiday
Tuesday 26th June 2018
This morning we had a lie in to recover form yesterdays walkies. We decided to head into Ambleside to have a look around. There are loads of outdoors shops! I managed to find a new pair of climbing shoes as my current ones are getting a bit soft. We also visited one of the bakeries and the fudge shop!
We went back to the apartment for lunch and to have a think about what to do for the afternoon. It was another really hot day. We decided to go for a little walk, pub dinner and then a ringing practice.
We drove to the car park for Tom Gill Falls and did a walk just over 4 miles along Tom Gill falls, round Hows Tarn and a bit of the Cumbria Way to come back round Yew Tree Tarn back to the car. It was very hot and we both felt like we were getting burnt!
Back at the car and with the air con on we headed to he Red Lion pub in Hawkshead as they had a ringing practice tonight. Unfortunately as we got closer to the village we could see that the church tower was covered in scaffolding. We decided to go to the pub anyway and then have a walk over to the church to investigate afterwards. The food in the pub was very nice. Tim was pleased as they did proper pie and not just meat topped with a bit of pastry!!
We walked over to the church and saw there was a concert going on in there this evening so definitely no ringing. I went in and spoke to a gentleman about the bells and was told that there is currently no ringing. It was a shame but worth driving out there for the walk and pub! We decided o drive back via the Windemere ferry but unfortunately that is not running at the moment! We drove back the long way and had a relaxing rest of the evening.
Lake District Holiday
Monday 25th June 2018
We set our alarm for 7am as we thought it would be a good idea to get up and going early so we start out while it is cooler. We planned the following route.
It took about an hour to drive out to where the start of our route was. We parked up and set off about 9.30. The first part of the walk was a scramble that took us up past Taylorgill Force.
From the top the path got a bit easier and followed the edge of the stream till we got to a point we could cross it. The water was so clear and looked so inviting!
Up at Styhead Tarn we stopped for a drink and then took the path off to follow the Corridor Route.
The next section was hard going and I was struggling with the heat. Regular stops for drink and cooling down made it slow. We eventually stopped for some lunch to build up some energy for the last slog!
Eventually we joined up with the main grockle path and had the last bit left to go. It was one of those summits where you keep thinking you are near the top and then more appears! Finally the top came into view and we were there.
Sitting in a lovely shaded spot I finished my lunch and finally cooled down properly! Now we had to find our way back down off the top. Tim had looked at the route beforehand so we knew that we still had a bit more up hill to go!! I don't like negative progress!!
The path in the net section seemed non existent as we just had to hop our way along some boulders. Another short bit of up followed where we met a rather eccentric chap wandering along carrying a plastic bag and swinging it as he went! That was all the up hill done thankfully. We had already come a long way from the top of Scafell Pike.
Further on our way down we came to the point where we had to take a left turn on the path which would take us down into the valley back to the car. We had a final stop for some photos and a drink.
The last section was down cobble stepped paths so took it out on your feet and knees.
As we were coming down this path 3 guys caught us up and over took us who we had met a few times on our walk. They followed the same basic sort of route but had been up Green Gable, Great Gable before we first met them as they over took us on the Corridor Route. We met the again at the top but we appeared to have got there first. We asked where they had been and they had decided to also take a trip to the top of Lingmell! When we got to the bottom and turned onto the valley path we met the again for the last time. They were having a swim in a plunge pool at Stockley Bridge! Well deserved after all the hills they had managed to fit in in the time we did our walk!!
It was a marvellous sight to see the car!! A great walk with lovely streams and waterfalls. Two of the 3 peas done. Only Ben Nevis left! Apparently today was the hottest day of the year so far - it certainly felt like it!!
This evening neither of us fancied cooking anything so we took the opportunity to visit the local fish and chip shop and then rest with our aching feet up!
The only plan so far for tomorrow is to have a lie in!!
Lake District Holiday
Sunday 24th June 2018
We woke up this morning to glorious sunshine.
We decided to go for a paddle on Lake Windemere. There is a launch point in Ambleside. We got everything ready and set off towards Windemere.
After about 3 miles we decided to stop for some lunch. We found a nice spot where a stream joined into the lake.
After lunch we decided do a short paddle and do a little walk later on. When we set off again we decided to cross the lake and make our way back up the other side. It was a lovely paddle with the mountains in the view.
Back on the beach we dried off the kayak and had an ice cream while the sun dried the rest of it off!
Back at the apartment we got cleaned up, had a rest and decided on where we were going to go for our walk. There is a waterfall in the valley up behind where we are staying.
After the waterfall we continued to follow the stream into Ambleside. We had a little wander around to see what shops there are there and then headed back to the apartment. We made some dinner and then watched a film with out feet up!
Tomorrow we are planning on walking up Scafell Pike!
Lake District Holiday
Saturday 23rd June 2018
First task of today was to work out how this lot was going to fit in my car! Tim was trying to work out what we could leave behind if it didn't all go in!
Thankfully it did all go in and we were on our way a little after 10am. We had to call in at West Coker first to drop Doughnut Bunny off at his holiday destination. We had a long journey ahead of us.
After a stop for some lunch and another brief stop to stretch legs and swap over driving again we arrived at out destination around 18.00.
The apartment in Ambleside is very nice.
After unpacking the car we went to Windemere to Booths to do some shopping. Back to the apartment for dinner and then we put our feet up on the reclining sofa for a restful evening!
Tomorrow we are planning to have a paddle.
While we got changed and ready they prepared the boat for us. Once in the boat and Tim got us going he explained the different bits I needed to know and what to do. He took us up the lake to a nice clear area where I could then take the helm! Due to the mountains around us the wind was very variable. We spent 2 hours going back and forth, up ad down round the lake. I really enjoyed my sailing experience! 
