23rd March 2014.

Dear All,

We had a challenging few days in the Lake District. We travelled up on Sunday and stopped at Ilkley for a walk across the Moor and Sunday lunch. We then continued to the new Brimstone Hotel at Elterwater in Langdale. The hotel has been built on a timeshare site to a very high spec.: a fire in each room, together with bath, 7ft square bed, en suite wet room, balcony and some with a mezzanine level. The reading room was supplied with free wine, beer, soft drinks, scones, sandwiches etc. in addition there was a heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Fortunately our leader who is a member of the timeshare was able to negotiate a less than 50% introductory offer.

Ilkley Moor

 The Brimstone

There were two walks arranged each day, on Monday the longer walk climbed out of Langdale to Grasmere then to Loughrigg Fell, Skelwith Bridge and back along the river to Elterwater.

 Grasmere

68^th Birthday Pose

The weather on both the first two days was excellent but this did not last until Tuesday when we awoke to persistent rain which reduced the takers for the longer walk! However Kate and I decided to try it – which could have been a mistake? We again climbed out of Langdale heading towards the Langdale Pikes. At higher altitudes the wind got stronger with the odd hail shower alternating with the rain so it became a feat of endurance. It was not safe to climb the Pikes so we headed across Blea Crags to Stickle Tarn then down to Dungeon Ghyll for lunch, before walking back to Elterwater in the afternoon. It was a good test of people and equipment – we were fairly damp and cold only not to be allowed into our rooms on our return as the Duke of Gloucester was opening the Brimstone!

Under the Pikes

Wednesday was much more enjoyable as Hatty, one of our members, is an expert on the area and took us to Tilberthwaite and explained the history of copper mining in the Coniston area. Kate survived the first three days well but suffered on the last day as there was a long stretch on hard paths and roads.

Near Coniston

Tilberthwaite

I have loaded the full set of photos onto “Dropbox” should you be interested.

On Friday it was our last “Biography” session – Richard Wagner followed by an end of term lunch.

I drove to Cottenham on Saturday to watch football and my car would not start for the return journey – probably flat battery as I did not drive to Langdale. I had to be towed home in lashing rain and poor visibility. This was awkward as we were due to drive down to Hutton to say goodbye to Esther who has gone to Bulgaria to train and supervise some OTs and meet Ben who ran in the Brentwood Half Marathon today. We used Kate’s car and guess what it refused to start for the return journey!

Ben ran a creditable 1 hr 38 mins which was good considering his training has been hampered by worked horrendously long hours. The start was near Sawyers Church who cancelled their morning meeting and gave out free food and drinks to the masses.

It was good to meet up with Mary, Graham, David & Jen the week before for a meal at Weeley, walk at the Naze and tea and new house viewing at Beaumont.

Naze Walkers

Glebe Annex

Love

Mike & Kate