Start/Finish: Rivendell B&B, Helvellyn St, Keswick
Distance: 11 miles
Time Taken: 6 hours (approx)
Companion(s): Sprout (Lynne)
Route Map:
This weekend started really well as, having set off from home just in time to get to Keswick before dark, I then met up with Rich, Donna and Frankie and, a little bit later, with Lynne. We had a bit of a mooch around Keswick and soon realised that we had hit lucky and that we were actually about to be treated to the annual celebration of turning on the Christmas Lights. Although I know this kind of festival wouldn't be to everyone's taste, it was certainly an enjoyable evening for me as it was also Children in Need night and the whole experience of carol singers and an appearance by Pudsey Bear reminded me of attending the School nativity plays, etc when my daughters were at school.........ahh....happy memories :-)
However, back to the walk!
The weather was good and Lynne and I met just after 9.30am at our meet point and headed straight off. We began by leaving Keswick and following the paths to Portinscale and it wasn't long before we began to get views of the fells in the distance.
We were soon heading through Fawe Park on the Cumbria Way path.
On leaving the woodland, Skelgill Bank and Cat Bells come into view....
...and to the right, a glimpse of Causey Pike ....
...it's comforting to know we're heading in the right direction :-) .....
...I was loving the views across to Causey Pike....
...and the Newlands Valley....
.....the path ahead to Skelgill Bank....
....on the way up, and Derwent Water comes into view.....
....and a bit higher up....Walla Crag on the right....
....more views of the surrounding fells....
.....continuing to climb ......
Walla Crag, Falcon Crag and Bleaberry Fell.....
Swinside with Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance....
A view over Derwent Water to the Skiddaw Range....
Walla Crag, Falcon Crag and Bleaberry Fell (again!)....
Causey Pike, etc.....
The path ahead.....
Cat Bells from Skelgill Bank .....
Maiden Moor, Hindscath & Robinson....
Grange Fell....
The path up to Cat Bells....
The edge of the Skiddaw range, Blencathra, Walla Crag.....
Looking back down the path on the ascent of Cat Bells.....
Lynne on the summit of Cat Bells.........(with a few others!).......
....and a few more photos.....
Eventually, we descended from Cat Bells .....looking back at Cat Bells summit....
....we headed down to join the Allerdale Ramble back to Keswick......
A wonderful weather day, a great walk and all enjoyed in excellent company. Another one to be remembered :-) Thanks Lynne for a grand day out!
