Walk 07/2008 – Easter in Wasdale

Friday 21st March 2008

The ‘Advanced’ group had travelled up the previous evening to embark on a challenging trek during today.

The remaining 12 members travelled up in 4 cars with each taking a different approach to their journeys. It appeared that an earlier start and the motorway route had the quickest outcome, but it was a debated topic, as it was suggested that a lie in and the cross country route was deemed more relaxing and the more scenic route. It is all about individual views and perception but it was an interesting comparison between the chosen routes and the resulting timings.

Frustratingly on arrival poor Mark impaled the front of his car on a boundary post at the hostel car park, a problem that many others seemed to have also encountered in the past. Luckily we were able to release its attachment without too much damage to the car, but there were some tense moments for a short time. When all had arrived by 3:30pm we took a 3–mile ‘warm–up’ walk across marshy fields finishing at ‘The Screes Inn’ for a relaxing beverage. One of us had far too many layers of clothing (7) [Ed – now I did offer to take those clothes off for you in double quick time, but you declined!] and had to sit outside whilst others chose the more cosy version and sat in a small snug room planning forthcoming walk routes over the weekend.

We all returned to our hostel and met up with the rest of the gang. The hostel is a half–timbered National Trust–owned house dating from 1829 and still retaining many original features. It is set in very beautiful scenery where the grounds extend to the shores of Lake Wastwater, England’s deepest lake.

Each night of the weekend we were privileged to be treated to a relaxing time by a beautiful log fire in the grand library and to a delicious home cooked meal in the candle lit wood panelled restaurant with most impressive full table service.

Report – Cathy

Pictures – Alan, Angela and Stuart

The Friday travellers arrive at the hostel. Car impaling timbers to the fore.

The views from the hostel grounds are breathtaking.

Meanwhile the Thursday travellers are up on the fells.

The Friday travellers take a round trip to the pub.