Spring 1991

LocationConiston
Those PresentJerry, Carol, Bill, Sally, Mark and myself
DatesApril 25th - May 2nd

Saturday April 25th

My son Ian was starting a new term at Birmingham University, and I dropped him and his belongings off on the way and arrived in Coniston about 2 pm.
We had booked two adjacent houses. I examined them both and then wandered round the village. I bought a take away pizza and returned to the house to wait for others. The pizza was rather larger than anticipated. The others arrived at about 4 pm. Carol was six months pregnant, and introduced herself as 'Jerry and the blob'.
We sorted out rooms etc. and then set off to the pub. The first one did Theakstons, but only XB, which is a bit much for a session, and the food was expensive.
The next one was a bit of a slog up a hill and didn't do Theakstons, but the Tetleys was very good, and the food was more to our liking.

Sunday April 26th - Walna Scar

As usual the weather was not as good as on Saturday.
Bill, Jerry, Mark and myself walked along the Walna Scar road to the top of the pass. I amused the others attempting to open a tin of oranges with my Swiss army knife. Just as I was about to beat the tin with a large rock I realised that the can opener was 'handed', by which time the others were in hysterics.
We returned by the same path as the intended return looked as if it went across a large bog.

Monday April 27th - Ambleside, Grizedale Forest

We went to Grizedale visitors centre and had a short walk to look at some of the sculptures. Inspired by this, we made one of our own.

Tuesday April 28th - Wetherlam

Bill, Jerry, Mark and myself went up Wetherlam via the Coppermines valley, High Fell and Black Sails.
There were lots of old shafts, one of which had a very long pause before the splash when a stone was thrown in.
We returned by Red Dell Beck.

Wednesday April 29th - Grizedale Forest - Silurian Way

The others had a day off as a concession to Sally's knee and Carol's condition.
Mark and I did the whole of the Grisedale trail (12 miles). Our 'sculpture' was still their, with a few additions. It was quite a long and tiring walk.

Thursday April 30th - Coniston Moor, Yewdale Fells

All of us walked to Coppermines valley. In the trees by the side of the road out of Coniston we saw a red squirrel.
Sally and Carol turned back while the rest of us took the path over to Tilberthwaite.
The rain which had threatened all morning eventually started to fall very heavily, but it was still quite a pleasant walk. The ravine and water falls at Tilberthwaite were very impressive.
From Tilberthwaite we intended to climb to top of ridge to our right and take a high level path back to Coniston.
We got onto the ridge, but followed a stream instead of the path - it was raining so hard it was difficult to tell the difference.
We decide to scramble down a very steep scree slope by the side of the stream which was now a waterfall.
I slipped and cut the heel of my right hand on a sharp rock. Mark produced a bandage which made a temporary repair.
We returned to the house and I made a trip to the doctor's for four stitches.

Friday May 1st - Tilberthwaite, Ullswater

The others drove to Tilberthwaite to look at the falls etc. while I sulked and stayed at the house. I think the tetanus jab had made me feel a bit odd.
In the afternoon I went with Bill and Sally for a drive through Ullswater valley, Kirkstone pass, Troutbeck etc.

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