Monday 4th November 2024 – Friday 8th November 2024

Kath and Linda booked all the rooms of the HF Monk Coniston hotel and arranged for 40 walkers and some non-walkers to stay there. With willing helpers they arranged for a short walk on the way to the hotel on Monday and another on the way home on Friday. On the other days walkers could choose a long walk or a short one and non-walkers explored the misty Lake District. The sun appeared only on the way home, so sunbathing was not an option.

Day 1 Monday 4th November 2024

Levens Hall

An easy walk through the deer park and beside the River Kent. Then the route climbed through open fields to the disused (and dewatered ) Lancaster-Kendal canal before descending through the village of Sedgwick, then across the river and back through the deer park to the car park.

The evening entertainment was required everyone to try their hands at knocking down skittles. Stephen Davies emerged as the surprised and surprising winner.

Day 2 Tuesday 5th November 2024

Long walk: (Keith Saywell)

Wetherlam from Monk Coniston a distance of 9 miles

The walk should have gone to Wetherlam, a hill above Coniston but Keith turned back at Levers Water reservoir after exploring Coppermine Valley. Because the mist blocked out the views, he decided to omit the final climb. None of the walkers complained. A pub stop at the Black Bull in Coniston warmed the group before the final climb back to hotel.

Short Walk (Stephen Davies)

The Lakes of Grasmere and Rydal Water starting from Red Bank car park Grasmere a distance of 6 miles

The route starts off along a country lane and rises above Grasmere lake, then branches off along the well-known Loughrigg Terrace footpath with commanding views of the lakes and fells (and perhaps a golden eagle, as seen on the recce). The path then descends to the shores of Rydal Water and into the hamlet of Rydal. A steep but short road climb leads to the ancient Coffin Trail back along the hillside to Grasmere, arriving by Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage (and tea room) and the tourist shops of the village.

After dinner some members of the circus skills group tried to train others to juggle and balance. There were no reports on how successful this was.

Day 3 Wednesday 6th November 2024

Long walk: (Simon Wisbey)

Great Langdale starting from Elterwater NT car park a distance of 8 miles

A walk up and down Great Langdale, a broad, flat-bottomed valley using well maintained woodland tracks and riverside footpaths. At the furthest point the route passes near Dungeon Ghyll Force (famous waterfall), and right beneath the bulky mass of Langdale Pikes, which was invisible in the mist.

Short walk: (Becks and Millingtons)

Grizedale Forest starting from the Grizedale Forest car park a distance of 5-6 miles

Following forest trails through Grizedale Forest looking out for sculptures and carvings.

The evening entertainment was a lively quiz put together by Julie Clarke and delivered by Kevin. The principle “the question master is always right” was heavily debated.

Day 4 Thursday 7th November 2024

Long walk: (Keith Saywell)

Tarn Hows from Monk Coniston a distance of 11 miles

The walk went to Tarn Hows and returned via Tilberthwaite and Hole Rake Pass after some serious climbing. It passed a few abandoned slate mines and large piles of slate waste

Short walk: (Stephen Davies)

Tarn Hows from Monk Coniston a distance of 5 miles

The walk begins from Monk Coniston house with a graduated ascent through the woods, with many non-native species of trees, up to the hillslopes above the Tarn at a height of about 650 feet. After circumnavigating the lake, the descent is mainly through woods and fields.

Christine did her best with the local piano and the guests joined in with some familiar tunes. Fortunately the neighbours were too far away to be disturbed.

Day 5 Friday 8th November 2024

The walkers who had reserves of energy and time on their hands took part in the final walk

Short walk: (John and Doreen Minshull)

Sizergh Castle a distance of 3.5 miles

This is a steady walk along tracks and through woodland. The middle section is steeper and leads up to a church with distant views over Morecambe Bay to the west. The descent crosses pasture fields and tracks, back to the car park. While the walkers were looking for Morecambe Bay, the sun appeared through the mist.