Day 4: Rosthwaite (Borrowdale) to Grasmere

I experienced the best night's sleep I'd had in a long time and was ready for what the day had to offer, The sun was shining in a cloudless sky as we said our goodbyes to Rachel our host. She had provided us with a huge breakfast and delicious looking sandwiches to take for our lunch. It is important that we stock up on water and snacks and sandwiches before leaving in the mornings because there is no opportunity to purchase anything whilst hiking.
This is Rachel talking to Tina with Pip, the African grey parrot on her shoulder. It seemed to take quite a fancy to my hair.

Imagine having this scenery on your doorstep. Paul had obviously studied the map before we set off and consulted with Rachel so we were able to leave the village on the right path.

As we were walking through the village I thought it important to give the group a lesson on wall boxes working on the theory 'you're never too old to learn' or as my daughter would say 'you just can't stop being a teacher, can you Mum? The first one we spotted was a Victorian one but at the other end of the village was a Georgian one. The insignia on them being the clue.

It wasn't a long walk today about 9 or 10 miles as long as we didn't go wrong but there were a couple of steep climbs. I had imagined the paths to be well trodden and easy to negotiate but that was not the case. Some of them require quite a bit of scrambling and I was glad I didn't walk with the aid of poles as I like to have my hands free to be able to pull myself up and over the rocks when needed.

The path followed the Stonethwaite Beck as it flowed down the hillside. Not sure why the group are all looking in different directions, we can't be lost yet as we haven't even walked one mile.

It was still early and the sun hadn't dried the dew off the grass yet.

Tina and myself started the walk in shorts knowing it was going to be warm today but the boys in their long trousers needed to cool off and unzip. That did mean they had to take their boots off as well because they couldn't get the zipped off part of the trousers over them. 

Sensible Jim had unzipped before we started.

Our last look back at Borrowdale before we had to get to grips with the climb up ahead.

The loose rocks made it uncomfortable underfoot and it was also quite wet and marshy.

First we had to get over Eagle crag and then up to Lining Crag.

This was the view from Lining crag and of course another photostop.

Luckily there was someone else there who could take a group photo of us.

A short rest then we were off again still going upwards. I thought we had reached the summit but no I was looking into the wrong valley. We still needed to go along Greenup edge for another mile or so before we could start to descend down a very wet and slippery path.

Steve was really striding out until he slipped  and wet those wonderful shorts of his.

Then, at last, we could see the two lakes of Grasmere and Windermere.

Decision time. There are two routes into Grasmere, one over the top of the ridge of three summits and the other one which takes a lower path down into the valley. As it was such a beautiful day we all decided to go over the ridge, a much more attractive route. It would take a bit longer but time was on our side.

Our leader surveying his kingdom.

A more cautious look over the edge.

This is the ridge we needed to follow.

Come on Tim stop lagging behind.

From the top of the ridge we had such stunning views down the valley.

We climbed over Calf Crag, Moment Crag and finally..........

Helm crag. I couldn't resist a selfie as Jim and I waited for the others to join us.

The drop at the other side was a very long one down to the valley so I wasn't prepared to stand up for a photo!We slowly edged our way down onto the safer ground of the path.

Now all we had to do was follow the path down into the beautiful village of Grasmere.

This is Wordworth country. It is where he was inspired to write his most famous poems. It is too late in the year to see the daffodil garden at its best but it is a delightful tranquil spot next to the churchyard where he and his family are buried. I took some time out on my own here to just enjoy a moment of peace!

This tiny building was once the village school.

I really loved this village. Even the ducks take a detour through its quaint streets.

Our resting place for the night was a Quaker Centre. We were made very welcome and at 4.30pm everyone gathered in the grounds for tea and cake - how civilised and very English ,of course. In the evening we went down to the village to eat and enjoy one or two drinks in the pub there. As we made our way back  to the Quaker Centre later that night we realised  that we had forgotten to order sandwiches for tomorrow!