Bleaberry Fell and High Seat

Today I did another option 3, despite weather that was at times grim. We started with a climb above Derwent Water, with Keswick seen on the right.

We had our elevenses in the shelter of a sheep fold due to it being a bit windy.

The ascent was not nice – mists, heavy rain, and boggy terrain. Boots sinking up to the top of the ankle.

But I feel a bad day's hiking is better than a good day in the office. This hike was sold as offering: "stunning views of the Lakeland Fells, North Pennines and Scotland. You might even catch a glimpse of Criffel." We actually saw nothing at the top. But that is the potluck nature of Lake District hiking.

The distance was 10.5 miles, ascent 2,200 feet. Description: "After a short coach ride we begin at Springs Farm we ascend steadily alongside Brockley Beck to emerge on the open top of Walla Crag. There are superb views over the lake, town and surrounding fells. We continue up to the summits of Bleaberry Fell and High Seat, before descending to the much photographed Ashness Bridge, from where we follow woodland paths to Derwentwater. We follow the shoreline back to Keswick then on to the house."

This photo is on the descent back to Derwent Water. Our house is around the top of the lake, on the right of the photo (not the far lake, that is Brassenthwaite). I'm happy going up and down mountains. The hardest part of the hike is the 3 or so miles once you are down. I seem to have left all my strength in the fells and it is just mind over tired and sore matter at that point.

The much photographed Ashness Bridge below.

Here's another wee bridge I liked.

Below we are on the shore of Derwent Water. We go through Keswick town then the last 1.5 miles back to the house. I typically have a shower, a nap, then the walk talk is at 7 and dinner at 7:30. Our trip leaders describe each walk at 7 (distance, ascent, views, nature of trail, how steep are steep bits). I picked option 2 tomorrow, partly because option 3 sounds too high and too fast for me. All three walks will share a coach. Walks 1 & 2 will have plenty of time before coach departure. Walk 3 will have little time for rest and I need my rest on big hikes.

We often have entertainment at night. Tonight was the Big Quiz. All 18 HF Holidays houses do the same quiz. And the winner is announced the next day. It's good fun and the questions are clever. We are in teams of six so you draw on the collective wisdom. Neither our team nor our house won but it was entertaining.

Back in Belfast, yesterday and today, the Battle of the Boyne was celebrated with massive bonfires (several stories high, sometimes featuring Irish flags and photos of Sinn Fein politicians and Catholic statues out of meanness) and scores of marching bands. This will be marking when the Protestant William of Orange (of William and Mary fame) defeated the Catholic King James in 1690. This year, like anyone who can afford to, I fled Northern Ireland and the burning smell and the endless sound of flute and drum. Protestant rule over Catholics has been merciless, nowhere moreso than in Ireland, so the drunken triumphalism of the 12th seems in poor taste to me.

12 July