We were a crew of six this year - four survivors from last year, Christopher, Senan, Sheila and me, plus two new recruits, our cousin Seany Hayes and Lisa. On Saturday morning, four of us set off from the North Wall on the Swift ferry to Holyhead at 8:45. It was a smooth sailing and by the time we had our big breakfast fry-up eaten, we didn't feel the time pass. We were on the road outside Holyhead at 11.00. We made a non-stop run via the A55; M56; M6 to Windemere and we pulled into Booths supermarket car park at 13:45, just in time to find a pub to watch the Lions first test against South Africa. Lisa and Sheila were driving up from London and they joined us in the Pub at half-time. It was mainly a disappointing match though, on reflection, it was very close in the end with the Lions dominating the second half.
With that important interruption out of the way we were back on track. We had a quick shop in Booths for sandwich making ingredients for the next 2 days and headed up the road to Grasmere. It was a pleasant day, a little dull but warm enough. The objective for our first day was the beautiful Helm Crag (1,299 ft) also known as The Lion and the Lamb. It's a short steep walk to the top.
The valleys of Grasmere and Easedale spread out below us as we walk. By the time we can see Easedale tarn we know the summit is near. There were great views down the Lakes and across to the Langdales. The crags on the summit which give it's name make the top quite interesting. Like most people we didn't do the scramble to the actual summit which is on top of a rock that looks like the organ player! The only problem with this lovely introductory walk is that the only real way down is to re-trace your steps - unless your feeling adventurous!
After a total of just over 2 hours and 30 minutes we were back in the Grasmere car park. We headed back towards Ambleside and over the Kirkstone Pass (1,500 ft) - though it's a main road and nothing like the Wrynose and Hard Knott passes from last year! At Brotherswater I realised that I was low on petrol and decided to go back to Ambleside to fill up and avoid future hassle. The others went on to the hostel in Glenridding. We joined them 30 minutes later. They had made up the beds in the fine spacious family room.
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Grasmere from Helm Crag, Uploaded by M+MD.
We then headed down the lane to the Travellers Rest in Glenridding in search of food. It was Saturday night and the local campsite was full and so was the pub! There was plenty of room at the tables outside - but it was getting cool. However as we were ordering a table inside came free. We ordered four shoulders of lamb (of course) as well as Lasagne and Cod. The lamb was just as good as we remembered! A pint of beer to wash it down and it was after 10.30 and time to get back to the hostel for curfew at 11.00.
Sheila; Senan; Lisa; Christopher; Seany, Uploaded by M+MD.
A very promising start.
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