Our Fourth Day

Our fine walk up Cat Bells (451 m) was ably led by Niki. The walk may have only been about six miles, but it was "packed with Lakeland punch". It was worth the climb to get the excellent view over the northern part of the island-studded Derwent Water as well as towards the mountains surrounding Keswick itself. A gradual descent to a nice tea shop in Grange pleasantly rounded off our active day.

Here we are enjoying ourselves on the top of Cat Bells! Why not?

Now this is what you will see about our Cat Bells excursion.

• Bus to Keswick
• Ascending Cat Bells
• Cat Bells - We've Reached the Summit!
• Descent to Grange and "Ye Olde Tea Shoppe"
• Walk Features
• Our Last Evening Together - At the "White Horse Inn"


• Please Read Me! Thankyou!

Bus to Keswick

Travelling from A to B in area like the Lake District is not your ordinary commute. It is something to be savoured. And so it was in this case. As you will see, the pictures I took from top of the bus serve to make the point. The mountains and the village of Threlkeld were all grist to the mill, at least as far as my camera was concerned!.

Here is a view of Clough Head to the south ...




... as we head west on the A66 towards Keswick.




Mountains and sun ...




... are a good omen for the day.




In Threlkeld, we pass the "Horse and Farrier" ...




... before heading on to Keswick.

Ascending Cat Bells

On leaving Keswick, we crossed the River Derwent by the suspension bridge - new age but elegant. Through the village of Portinscale and on via the Lingholm estate, through woods and past rhododendrons in full flower, we went. Eventually, we were able to start our steady ascent, punctuated by some leisurely stops for snacks and of course to admire the dramatically unfolding view on our way up.

"New age", this suspension bridge may be, but it's an elegant way to cross the River Derwent as we head out of Keswick.




Cat Bells is before us ...




... and some flowering rhododendrons are just behind us.




We have scaled some of Cat Bells ...




... but stop awhile to soak up the view,
over which Skiddaw presides in the right hand background..

We've Reached the Summit!

A gentle rocky scramble was the "gateway" to the top of Cat Bells. Having reached the highest point (at 451 m) of our walk, it was worth staying a while to soak up the view: Lake Derwent, islets, mountains, Keswick, Skiddaw and all. Here, superlatives ruled OK! It was all too good to charge back down again. So indeed, we stayed a while.

Yes, we're on the summit (451 m).




This is the view towards Keswick, the island studded north end of Derwent Water and Skiddaw.
What a view!




Here we look west towards the Derwent Fells and Crag Hill (839 m).




Here is the view again ...




... and again.




And this is where we came up.




Can't get enough of ...




... this view!

Descending to Grange and "Ye Olde Tea Shoppe"

Our descent gave us more nice Lakeland landscapes to appreciate. Eventually we reached Grange and stopped off for a pleasant hour or so at a tea shop. It was a nice way to end our walk, and a nice way of waiting for the bus to take us back to Keswick.

It's time to make tracks ...




... and we descend with an occasional stop ...




... to admire the view which is still with us.




Then we strike south.




Before we reach Grange, there's time to do an experiment on the load bearing properties of this footbridge. You and the local farmer will be pleased to know that the bridge
passed our test with flying colours - with hardly a creak to be heard.




Another view to south ...




... before we round the corner and head for Grange,
which guards the northern approach to Borrowdale.




Parishioners attending Sunday service in Grange do so under the watchful gaze of Cat Bells.




And here is our teashop, a building kitted out in fine Lakeland style - even down to the sign advertising Lakeland ice cream.

Our Last Evening - At the "White Horse Inn"

We had our last evening together at the "White Horse Inn". John E. had booked a room and tables for us, and saw to the menu arrangements. It's occasions like these, when one talks about what we experienced, and - in the context of future weekends away - what we plan to experience in the future. We raised our glasses in style to John and to future CLOG trips!

Yes, we did raise our, glasses, honest!




But, anyway, these pictures show that we were having a good time and saying goodbye in gastronomical style!.