Another day in the Lakes

We had made a plan for today, but the weather didn't get the memo, and Andy was not feeling too chipper this morning, and after the exertions of yesterday, had a nice long lie in.

Actually, I needed waking this morning too, which Jon did with a nice cup of tea. Then instructions to get up, as were going for a walk before breakfast. Where the house is located is perfect for walks, short and long. So with Cathy and Keith, Jon and I went out on a circular walk of about an hour. The weather was dull, but not raining. It wasn't even very undulating as it followed a small river/stream.

Back at the house, we started a cooked breakfast, by which time Andy had surfaced and we all ate together. The weather changed and the rain arrived. With Andy still feeling tired, the girls (Cathy, Sarah, Ange and I) went for a walk down to a small cafe shop in the village which originally was the old Sawmill - actually the only cafe/shop in the village. There at 'The Sawmill' Sarah treated us to coffee and we sat and chatted before heading back.

Jon and Keith had, meanwhile, made sandwiches with the plan to take them out with us. But in the end that didn't go to plan and Cathy, Keith, Jon and I decided to go out for another walk. We walked to the end of Wast Water. It was peaceful and perfectly still. No wind and the only sound, birds calling and the odd sheep bleating. We sat and ate our sandwiches by the edge of the water. Then a message from the house, Andy was feeling brighter, and keen to get on with today's plan. It was great news, and what we had been hoping for, so we packed up and headed back, and were home in 40 minutes.

The 'plan' was to drive to the foot of Scafell Pike (or as close as we could get) and find a sign. By this time it was raining, but 6 of us headed out by car, to the car park closest, arriving at about 4.45. We proceeded to help Andy to the sign post, because as part of Andy's Teens Unite challenge, he is currently climbing his home stair case enough times to equate to the height of Scafell Pike (having completed Snowden last weekend) so we thought it appropriate to get him doing a few steps in the shadow of Scafell. The rain was quite heavy, but that doesn't stop a Mountain Leader. I actually asked Andy, while we stood, and he sat, admiring the mountains surrounding us, what his advice would be to a new climber. I have no idea at all about climbing mountains. His response was advisory, immediate, detailed and also witty. He was in complete Mountain Leader mode, and whilst disappointed that he can't climb like he has in the past, he was free with his advice for me as a non- climber - try something smaller!! I asked how long it takes to climb Scafell Pike - I had no idea. He said 6 hours up and 7 and a half hours down. I suspect it would take me 6 days not 6 hours!

After lots of photographs, we went back to the cars. Cathy, Keith and I went on to the smallest church in the country - St Olafs. More stunning scenery. Then drove back. Meanwhile, the challenge for Ange was to drive Andy and Jon (as per Andy's request) to the home of Andy's friend Paddy, an hour away.

While they were at Paddy's we cooked (and ate dinner) then got in the hot tub. At just after 10 they returned, full of news about the trip to Paddys, which I will relay second hand. So, a cup of tea, and a chat, then they all got into Paddy's land-rover, and he drove them up to an area of his land where he has a re-wilding project he wanted to show them all. It sounds really interesting, turning conifer woodland planted after the war, back to native broadleaf species. Just up Jon's street. Then once it started to get dark, they drove back to the farm, for more drinks. Returned in the dark and had a late dinner. Buzzing with the news of their adventure, we were excited to hear all about it.

It is going to be another late night for us all, but what the heck, we must make the most of every minute. The plan for tomorrow is to try and get back on the water, before Jon and I head home at some point later in the day/evening. If you are reading this Mollie, don't expect us very early!