Mark arrived at mine at 0915. My daughter Alison was now at Cheltenham College and we dropped her off on the way for the beginning of a new term.
We arrived in Keswick just in time for a pint in D&G, did all the usual things and then went to find the house.
Jerry arrived about 5:30 having visited Malham Cove on the way. We settled in and then went off to the pub for some excellent Theakstons.

It was a beautiful sunny day. We all went on the boat to High Brandlehow and then along the path past Grange and up behind Castle Crag.
Jerry was finding carrying CJ hard work, and he and his family turned back while Mark and I carried on past Rigg Head, down to Rosthwaite and back along the river to Grange.
We had a cup of tea and then went back to High Brandlehow and caught the boat to Keswick.

It was cloudy but dry, and Mark, Jerry and I set off to climb Clough Head.
We parked at the old station near Threlkeld Quarry and walked along the railway line to join old coach road to Ullswater. The road petered out in a boggy uphill slog, but we could see a good path at the top of the slope.
Just before reaching it, the sole was pulled from my left my boot while removing my foot from a particularly glutinous patch. I made emergency repairs with a spare lace and went back to the car while others carried on.
It was very annoying as I had just had them resoled by Mr Minit. Motto - get your boots repaired by the proper people! That afternoon we made a trip into Keswick in to buy me new boots.
The Park Rangers report in pub that evening said frozen snow above 2500 ft. and winter equipment was advised. In particular Striding Edge and Swirral Edge were icy and the exits to Helvellyn were very difficult. We decided to stay low for a while.

The forecast promised showers. Jerry, Mark and myself went to Seathwaite and walked up Styhead and via Sprinkling Tarn to Esk Hause. There was a lot of snow above 2500 ft. We returned by Grains gill.
There had been no showers and it was warm and sunny all day.

We woke to rain. Jerry, Mark and myself parked at Legburthwaite on the Thirlmere road and went up High Rigg. It was a fascinating place - as Jerry remarked 'a microcosm of the Lake District', with rocky outcrops, grass, bogs and a small tarn.
We walked along the ridge and down to St Johns church, returning to the car along St Johns Vale.
The rain stopped as we reached Keswick and rest of the afternoon was warm and sunny.

It was raining again. Jerry and family drove over to Windermere.
Mark and I decided we must get out. From the house we went via the footpath from Springs Road to Castle Head and the lake. We followed footpaths by the lake to Great Wood and thence to the radio mast on the Walla Crag path and back down to the house.
The weather brightened up but not as early as yesterday.

The weather forecast for today was rain and bright intervals. Jerry, Mark and myself drove to the top of Honister with the possibility of going up Gable if weather cleared.
We climbed to the Old Drum House but the cloud was very low on Pillar, so we turned right for Fleetwith Pike, the deciding factor being that the group of noisy women, one of whom was wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse cycle cape, turned left for Gable. We found it quite fascinating, with rocky outcrops and small tarns, and spectacular views down to Honister Pass and Buttermere.
From the top Buttermere, Crummock and Lowes water lay spread out before us. We returned to the car park and drove down to the Bridge Hotel for pint or two of Black Sheep. Not bad, but I still prefer Theakstons.
We returned to Keswick via Newlands Hause for a sit down Miggins** and a queue for the D&G.
It had been a very enjoyable week, made all the better by the truly excellent Theakstons.
** The Old Keswickian. So named from Mrs Miggins Pie Shop in Black Adder.

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