14 -18 April 2025

Twelve members eventually arrived at the Windermere Hotel via various diversions. The M6 being closed at junction 23 due to a lorry fire.

The Windermere hotel is ideally situated for all grades of walkers and non walkers, being opposite to both the railway and bus stations. There was a regular bus service to most parts of the Lake District, with Bowness, Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick visited..

On Tuesday, the first walking day, the forecast was for rain, but it stayed dry while we were out. The C+D group were given a lift into Hawkshead by Ian, our Chairman.

It was soon realised that we were about 3 miles from the start of the planned 8.5 mile walk ,so plan B was put into operation.

We walked up a lovely quiet lane, the banks of which were festooned with wild flowers — Violets, Wood anemones and Primroses — to Upper Wray and then passed near to the castle, which was closed, and on through wooded estate land to Clappergate and Waterhead, Here we caught the bus back to Windermere. A very enjoyable 7.5 mile walk.

The next day the forecast was for light showers in the morning followed by heavy rain. It was not wrong.

Several walkers decided that they were going to the cinema in Ambleside in the afternoon.

A short walk was taken in the morning, starting from the hotel and walking, the long easy route, to Orrest Head view point. The slower ones were very lucky, as when they arrived the cloud had lifted and there were lovely views. The shorter route up looked very rocky, wet and slippery, so it was decided not to continue with the planned walk, but to return the same way.

Thursday dawned bright, sunny and warm, so Tuesday’s plan A was put into operation. We took the bus to Bowness, then walked about a mile to the ferry terminal, where we caught a ferry across the lake. We walked by the lakeside for about 2 miles before climbing up a very steep rough path to a high level rough undulating path going back towards the ferry. Before reaching the ferry, we stopped at Joey’s caffe for well earned refreshment. Then bus back from Bowness to Windermere. 8.5 miles in total.

My thanks to Pauline, who not only organised the very enjoyable holiday, but led two of the walks.

Margaret Boggis.