Derwentwater

A very scenic and relaxing day on Derwentwater today. It started with a cruise on the Keswick launch to Ashness, where we escaped the bus load of American tourists who had got on with us at Keswick. We walked up the hill to Ashness Bridge, an old packhorse bridge (i.e room for a horse with a pack on each side) to cross. There are views from here across to Skiddaw, another iconic Lakes District mountain.

From here it was back down to catch the launch to Hawes End, beneath Catbells, where we walked to Lingholm Estate and had lunch. Our climb of Catbells was aborted due to 3 members of the party pulling the pin, so I just looked on with envy at everyone else climbing it.

Lingholm was where Beatrix Potter spent a lot of holidays as a child and the house and its surrounds provided inspiration for some of her books and characters, especially Squirrel Nutkin. The walled garden was part of the inspiration for Mr McGregors garden.

Back at Keswick the Pack Horse Inn provided a well earned refreshment. Tonight is a rest night - snacks and local Cumbrian cheese and biscuits with a bottle of good Aussie red.Read more