Lake District weekend - day two - first walk

From http://bvhill-walkers.blogspot.com/

Thursday morning was a bit overcast with prospects of showers as we set off from our hotel:

We walked down to the bus station to await the 9:30 am bus that would take us down to Ambleside:

Like little kids, we all clambered upstairs in the double decker and fought for the front seat. This was the view as we hurtled through the narrow lakeside roads:

Well, that part of the journey was easy - there must be time for a coffee before we head for the hills. Ken took us to one of his favourite tea shops, the Apple Pie, where we all indulged ourselves. Eventually, it was time to leave the quiet surroundings of Ambleside and head for the hills - lead on, Ken! We hadn't got 100 yards before our leader was seen scurrying around trying to find the village's out door:

Yes - a map's a good idea, Ken!

The first bit of the climb out of Ambleside is relatively steep, but on decent track. We soon stopped for breath and for the first of many team photographs:

We climbed to the highest local point, where Dave snapped me as I rested at the cairn:

It was now past noon, so Ian could officially keep up his tradition of cracking open his hip flask at the top:

Team at cairn

Nice views from the top

Smart fence poles built in to the stone dykes

We soon discovered that one of the main differences between the Lake District and the West Highland Way that we did at the same time last year, was that there are plenty of watering holes at appropriate places on the many walks in the Lake District. When we got back down to valley level, we came across the Britannia Inn, a delightful little pub, with lots of real ale and good food. We found a cosy little corner and settled down with our boots and outerwear off - Ian showed off his new body-hugging top, and gave us a glimpse of his fine physique:

Lunch over, it was time to march on. There was a disused slate quarry, with dire warnings at the entrance to the adjacent mine:

The rain finally arrived in the afternoon and we got a good soaking on the last half hour of our trek over from Langdale to Borrowdale, and our hotel for the evening, the New Dungeon Ghyll, which was a very nice hotel, with good modern facilities, and an adjacent inn with a fine selection of ales. We were only staying there because we couldn't get in to the Old Dungeon Ghyll, which was a mile (or so) further along the road, and had been a place both Ken and Dave had fond memories of from their youth.

We put all our wet gear in the drying room at our hotel, showered, changed, and had dinner at the nearby inn, then headed off down the road to find out if there was still magic in the air at the Old Dungeon Ghyll. Ken and Dave couldn't wait and raced off ahead of Ian and I. It was a good place - the bar was very reminiscent of the Clachaig Inn near Lochinver where we'd spent a fun Saturday evening a year previously:

Old Dungeon Ghyll

It started to rain again just before we left - and this time it was serious. We only had waterproof jackets - no trousers, no boots - and the walk home along the darkened road was the fastest I've ever seen any of us move. It didn't really make any difference, however - we all got well and truly soaked. I dashed off to the shower and bed, but the others managed a quick nightcap.

Here's the map and stats for the day: