Lake District, Derwentwater. April 2014

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Lake District, Derwentwater. April 2014

Helen Rose Outdoor Diary.

I visited the Lake District for a long weekend in the Spring. We were based in Derwentwater, two miles outside Keswick. Keswick is the gateway to the English Lake District. The trip was organised by the walking club, Glasgow HF Outdoors Club and as usual was well organised with good walks on offer. The website is http://www.glasgowhf.co.uk/ . In the past, my visits to the Lakes have involved high hills but this was a relaxing break with easier walks.

We travelled down by car to the Lakes which takes about 3 to 4 hours and stayed at the Derwentwater Adventure Centre on the Lakeside. This was on the Borrowdale Road from Keswick.

There were lovely views over the lake to a hill called Catbells I had previously climbed some years ago in the winter. The first day we walked from the Adventure Centre on good paths to a higher viewpoint over the lakes and the islands. The walls and bridges around there are mainly made from slate from the local quarries and surprisingly almost the same colour as the local Herdwick sheep. It was lambing season so we looked out for the newborn lambs. They are born with black wool which becomes gradually lighter and is a grey colour as adults. Unfortunately, the rain came on rather heavy and as we approached lunchtime and we looked for somewhere dry to have out sandwiches . The National Trust centre at Ashness were very accommodating if we bought tea so we had a pleasant lunch in dry surroundings.

After lunch it dried up and we walked amongst the daffodils and on towards Rozswaite where we crossed the river by the bridge rather than the stepping stones. We walked on towards Grange along the river and past fields of lambs finally reaching Grange where we caught a bus back to the Adventure Centre. Sandy led the way and when the rain was at its worst he wore his rain jacket which is more of a coat length!

The following day was much drier weather although still cool and we set off up the side of the waterfall behind the centre and walked in the opposite direction from the previous day. The aim was to reach Mulla Top which gave panoramic views of the surrounding area including the lake. From there we descended to Keswick for lunch.Keswick is a pleasant little market town noted for the number of outdoor shops. In the afternoon, we walked through Keswick to the boat place at the head of Derwentwater to take the boat over the lake to the Adventure Centre. We were hit by the spray as we sat outside on the boat. This is when weatherproof walking clothes are useful. The next day it was a pleasant drive home and thanks to Noreen for chauffeuring me.

It was a very pleasant relaxing weekend at Derwentwater and none of the walks were too taxing. Also, they introduced me to a part of the Lake District I was not familiar with. The added bonus was the good company and seeing the lambs and daffodils.