Blaithwaite Walking Week

For the last seven years good friends Rob & Margaret Bianchi have led a walking week at Blaithwaite House. Compared to most of the activity based events which run from the Centre this is a very different occasion with a more mature clientele, many of whom return year on year - I've grown to both like & respect them. Its a pleasure to spend time in their company out and about in the Lake District fells.

Mungrisdale Common & Carrock Fell

The visual aspect of the fells has changed considerably in the last few days, a long spell of high pressure which sucked in cold north easterly winds and saw the area hard frozen and clad in snow has given way swiftly to warm winds from the south and the accompanied thaw. The thaw has indeed been rapid and Carrock Fell was devoid of snow today. Air temperatures were a balmy 13degC but didn't feel like it in the persistent and strong southerly that blew.

This years' group of a dozen or so walkers, accompanied by the youthful presence of Ferg (!) enjoyed an essentially lowland walk of 5-6 miles in the area of Caldbeck; Carrock Fell & High Pike. The pace was relaxed and the conversation good, a hare impressed us with with an extended sprint across the fields in the Hudscales area. The trek concluded in Caldbeck - a gem of the Lake District north - and more specifically in the Watermill Cafe at Priests Mill which must serve the thickest caramel slice in Cumbria?

The nature of this post now changes, as the plan had been for me to take a sub-group of Rob's visitors out into the higher fells on Thursday (today). However, injuries to ageing limbs (I'm not talking about mine at the moment) led to the higher venture being cancelled - as such I've taken the opportunity to get caught up on stuff in the home office & will make a visit to the gym later.

Thankfully, Ferg had been quite "camera happy" on Tuesday and has agreed to me using a couple of his photos to complete this article. Hoping to be catching up with Rob's group again next year!