Keswick 5-7 October 2018

Friday 5 October

My first holiday with CHA this year and another visit to the YHA in Keswick that is in a lovely position next to the river. It is so near the river that it was badly flooded in the Boxing Day floods of 2015 and has been extensively refurbished since then.

The weather on the way up was low cloud and drizzle but fortunately it had cleared by the time we arrived in the Lake District. There were four walks on offer and a climb up Blencathra was a popular choice.

I decided to do the 'C' walk, led by Frank and Rita, which took in a riverside walk, an old railway track and a stone circle and of course tea and cake at the climbing centre!

Castlerigg Stone Circle

There was still plenty of time in Keswick for refreshments (fish and chips in my case) before being picked up by Steve and transported to the hostel with our luggage.

The hostel was busy and quite noisy and we had to show some I.D. to get our keys which took us by surprise. The new self catering kitchen was  very smart but still only had two kettles! The dining area, bar and lounge were all in one large space which made it difficult to find a quiet corner. 

I was in a room with 5 people altogether overlooking the river which was quite noisy but also quite restful in a way once you got used to it.

Saturday 6 October

The weather today turned out to be beautiful after a cloudy start. There were three walks on offer today but I decided to do my own walk around Derwentwater. This is a 10 mile waymarked path and the National Trust have produced a leaflet highlighting various things to look out for. I saw them all except for the red squirrels but I was assured by a National Trust person in a car park that they definitely inhabit the woods near Brandelhow Bay. They must have been having a nap!

My first task was to actually find my way to the lake! It was market day in Keswick and it got very busy later on.

I have no idea why Keswick has a giraffe statue!

On the way to the lake you pass through a beautiful subway that puts Bradford to shame.

Anyway I got there eventually and there were some magnificent views, especially when the sun came out later on.

The Jaws of Borrowdale

National Trust Hundred Year Stone

Friar's Crag the Ruskin Memorial

I took a small diversion to see Lodore Falls while I was in the area and there must have been some flooding damage there as the footbridge around the rear of the hotel has disappeared and there was a path diversion down to the road.

At the head of the lake you can cross to the other side by way of the board walk and the Chinese Bridge.

The path on the far side  follows the shore more closely and there are a few places to sit near the water and admire the views. You can also catch a launch back to Keswick at various landing stages around the lake.

Cat Bells

By this time I was ready for a break and was pleasantly surprised to find the Lingholm Kitchen and walled garden that has only been open a couple of years.

Apparently Beatrix Potter visited the Lingholm Estate and this may have been the inspiration for Mr McGregor's garden. Anyway it was extremely busy and I shared a table with a couple of walkers from Oxford and we exchanged tales of climbing Ben Nevis!

I was a bit tempted to take a launch back to Keswick but the sun was still shining so I did the whole walk and then sat in the park for a while before returning to the hostel. Everyone had a lovely day and the 'A' party went up Skiddaw.

Sunday 7 October

The weather was still fine on Sunday first thing but there was a cool wind and rain towards the end of the walk. The walks today were in an area that we hadn't been to before and all finished in Caldbeck. I did the 'C' walk again that started in Uldale and was partly on the Cumbria Way before descending via Howk Gorge to Caldbeck.

Somewhere over the Rainbow!

Howk Gorge

Only a few of us went to the gorge as it was raining and tea and cake were calling but it was well worth it. The photos don't really do it justice.

Everyone met up in the pub before departing for home at 5.30.

Thanks to all the walks leaders and organisers of the weekend in particular Jean Galthen who had everything under control! Also thanks to Steve the driver who managed to get close to the YHA and all the pick up points.