On my own again - not that I mind too much.

I don't intend to write a full account of each day; apart from Monday which was warm and sunny, it was wet and unpleasant all week. I managed a walk each day, but mostly just round Portinscale and Newlands. I went home on Friday, partly because of the weather, partly because my ankle was very painful, and partly because there was a possibility that my daughter was moving at the week-end and I had promised to help her.

There were two highlights and one lowlight during the week.

Highlight number one was on Tuesday when I made a wet weather walk round Derwentwater from Portinscale to Lodore. The wet wooden boards of the Lodore landing stage provided little grip for my walking boots, and even less for my nylon over-trousers. The boatman watched impassively as I slid slowly and gracefully towards him. Eventually he spoke. 'Going to Keswick?', he asked.

Highlight number two was the special in the Farmers Arms on Thursday night. Steak, ale and mushroom pudding - absolutely magnificent, and the best pub meal I've had for several years.

The lowlight was Wednesday's walk across the fields from Portinscale to Dancing Gate and then Millbeck and Applethwaite. It rained all the way; the paths were sticky mud, especially from Millbeck to Applethwaite, and then vanished completely. I got to know Applethwaite quite well, but for the life of me couldn't find the continuation of the path to Ormathwaite, so I returned whence I had come. Better than sitting indoors all day, but not a particularly enjoyable walk, and because of the sticky conditions underfoot I felt quite knackered by the time I got back. My ankle had also become swollen and painful.

Reading the above I have the impression that I had a miserable week. Not at all - I love Newlands, even in the rain, and will never tire of the walk from Hawes End to Yewthwaite, down to Little Town and then up to the head of the valley.

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