The Langdales and Langdale

So many highlights least of all at our lunch stop when the bright sunshine disappeared to be replaced by curtains of sleet and hail from a dark sky. Minutes after we packed up and started walking back came the sun.

We chose a walk in Langdale today, starting at Elterwater, climbing high to Dow Bank then over the ridge to Megs Gill above Chapel Stile coming gently downhill with the Langdale Fells and valley in all their glory filling our vision. The views eastwards were splendid too, over to Fairfield and its horseshoe and the Helvellyn range all covered in snow.

Once on the valley bottom we followed the wide path to New Dungeon Ghyll turning around there to return to Elterwater on the opposite site of the valley.

Passing by Wainwright’s Inn we impulsively went inside for a drink to mark the end of the week. Eventually, we enjoyed our pint and a half no thanks to the barman. The first pint was cloudy and off and he didn’t notice. The replacement he pulled left me with over an inch of foam. We English don’t like to complain but fortunately a kindly and observant member of staff noticed and topped it up for me!

A good end to a good week where the weather was better than we expected and despite all the rain the paths and routes were not as bad as we feared.

Susan pointed out that I omitted to record that our friend Rosemary paid a fleeting visit. She came on Monday and was planning to stay with us until Friday. As we were setting off for Wansfell on Tuesday she had a call from her father to say her mum was in hospital so she had to travel to Glasgow the next morning to be with them. They’re both in their late 80s and have not been enjoying the best of health in recent years. She has made many trips from Hampshire to Glasgow and will be making a good few more in the future. It’s a long old journey.

I also omitted to mention that last night we entertained Alan and Irene. Irene is an old school colleague whom I’ve known 25 years. They moved from Kent to Grange 11 years ago and have never looked back. Always good to catch up with them and and learn how Alan has coped with his new knee in their third floor apartment, 42 steps and no lift.