I reported around this time last year from the Lake District, where I spent a few days with a group of fellow walkers from west Hertfordshire. We had such a wonderful stay that we repeated the experience this year, twenty of us this time, based from the Elterwater Hostel near Ambleside in the heart of the Lakes. And this time, now free from the demands of work, Rachel was able to join me, undertaking the two-day walk from Windermere station to Elterwater, where the two of us met up with the gang on Sunday afternoon to take on the Cumbrian elements. Here is my photographic summary of how we all got on.
Saturday morning: an early start, and four trains, was rewarded by a dry day for our walk, as Rachel and I set off from Windermere station on our way to AmblesideAround eight miles today, just as a ‘loosener’A short climb from the town, and some early views of the lakeA fabulous study in tree and fern!Down into the dale . . .. . . and up over the first of many a stileFabulous views aplenty . . .. . . from the hills above Lake WindermereDiversion required . . .. . . and then the descent . . .. . . into Ambleside – where we stayed in the Unicorn pub (an old haunt of mine from previous escapades)The hearty Sunday breakfast on offer at Bellis Bistro in Ambleside provided the fuel we needed for today’s rather wet Lakeland fells . . .. . . although the conditions dictated a somewhat less ambitious ramble than we had first intendedLeaving Ambleside by the 17th-century Bridge HouseWet, wet, wet in the town’s Rothay Park . . .. . . where I took my final shot on the walk (before burying my phone in my backpack as the heavy rain took hold)Five very soggy miles later, and some welcome local brews in Elterwater’s Britannia Inn, where we met up with several of our walking group for some lunchtime shelter and sustenance . . .. . . before settling into the hostel quite readily!Next morning, rain-free Monday, the team were all kitted out early, and ready to rollDividing into two groups, seven of us set out on a twelve-mile sortie of the topsAn initial three miles on the flat in Great Langdale . . .. . . with a stop for play-time . . .. . . before the start of the prolonged climb from Dungeon GhyllCrossing Stickle Beck . . .. . . go for it Hil!Stickle Tarn, around the mid-point of our climb, at 473 metres of elevationThen onwards . . .. . . and upwards . . .. . . on our way to the plateau of High RaiseMade it – rather blowy up here . . .. . . on the summit of High Raise (762 metres)Wild, as well as windy . . .. . . as we started back downA stop for views to the south . . .. . . as we descended once more into Great Langdale Not a bad place . . .. . . for a photo-stopJust one more stream to negotiate before our return to the valleyCommunal supper is a hostel highlight, and a chance to swap war stories from our day on the fellsTuesday, and a lower-level walk today of around eight miles, below the cloudsElterwater snowdrops . . .. . . and then our first stop, overlooking the slate quarry . . .. . . before a short climb, past Little Langdale TarnLooking down over Greenburn Beck and to Slater’s Bridge . . .. . . steady as she goes!In Cathedral Cave, with our choir in the backgroundNearing Skelwith Bridge, our lunch-stop . . .. . . and suitably refreshed, the easy path back, alongside Great Langdale Beck, to ElterwaterThe final furlong . . .. . . and a chance for the keen-eyed to study this topographical map depicting the heart of the Lake District, our playground of the last few days
Suffice to say that the hostel is booked once more for next February – let us hope that there is enough accommodation, here in Elterwater, to meet the needs of our expanding throng. See you all next year in the Lakes, and back in these parts very shortly!
Super memories – thank you all!
The song ‘Where The Sky Is’ that I have taken for my Blog heading today forms an apt backdrop for the great outdoors of the Lake District. The words were penned by country-pop act Ward Thomas, in a number from their 2016 album ‘Cartwheels’ that became the first album by a country music act from these shores to reach the top of the UK album charts. The duo features twin sisters Catherine and Lizzie Ward Thomas from Hampshire; they first broke through in 2014 with their debut album ‘From Where We Stand’ and they have been acclaimed (presumably with a nod to The Shires) as ‘Britain’s first country music stars’. The concluding lyrics from ‘Where The Sky Is’ capture the essence of their work and of the Lakes:
Take my hand And we will run to the countryside Find somewhere the air is clean And the water’s wide Feel at home, as the clouds roll on And set the sunlight free Look, the sky is right where it should be You and I, are right where we should be
And here they are in action, Catherine (left) and Lizzie Ward Thomas, flanking guitarist Billy Adamson, at The Stables in Milton Keynes on 27 February (the day after our return from the Lakes) – a wonderful evening of perfect harmonies
3 thoughts on “Where The Sky Is”
Great pics Nick – I didn’t realise that Rachel was now able to join you on all your adventures! I know that part of the Lake District so well it almost feels like home from home. Our most recent visit was in May 2024.
love your Lakes diary Nick with all the visuals, Thankyou. So enjoyed spending time in nature with walking buddies this year, after a very difficult year last year. Hoping to be back for more outdoor adventures next February!
Walking for Fun, Challenge and Charity! 
Great pics Nick – I didn’t realise that Rachel was now able to join you on all your adventures! I know that part of the Lake District so well it almost feels like home from home. Our most recent visit was in May 2024.
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love your Lakes diary Nick with all the visuals, Thankyou. So enjoyed spending time in nature with walking buddies this year, after a very difficult year last year. Hoping to be back for more outdoor adventures next February!
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a lot of good walking! Even though it was a bit wild and wet you still had some amazing views. Well done Nicand Rachel
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