Meet Report: 12-15 June 2017.

Portinscale, a smallish village west of Keswick and within walking district of same, proved to be an ideal venue for this meet and the Derwentwater Hotel equally appropriate accommodation. The Hotel’s grounds are extensive giving gardens, grass and trees down to the Derwentwater shore, near the Marina and launch station at Nichol End. The village boasts a cafe supplying delectable sandwiches for those wanting a packed lunch.

Arrival times on Monday spread from early to late afternoon. As normal for a YRC event, some go off on their own, others making up a small party. Planning for the following day was at best minimalist with early starts not finding favour given that some rain was to be expected overnight. Fine weather was expected from 1030 hrs-this information being provided by Angie’s ‘all-singing-all-dancing’ mobile phone,which it must be said, turned out to be accurate.

Some went off to Braithwaite and Thornthwaite, and another pair had serious business in Keswick. At more or less 10.30 the Linfords, Dovers and Laings set off from the Hotel to walk in the Newlands Valley, going via Ullock, Stair, keeping to the west of Swinside, and then to Skelgill and on to Little Town, where home-made refreshments (scones, cream, jam with coffee etc), were the order of the day (well late morning). Sufficiently fortified, the party descended to Newlands Church, much visited by some in the past, which is still kept in very good condition.

They then returned to Little Town and climbed the hill behind the farm as if to go over Cat Bells, but that in fact was not the intention. Bridge repairs were underway part-way up the hill, where one of the construction team took time out for a spot of gallantry, helping the ladies cross the water where the repaired bridge will, in due course be in use. The picnics brought with us were then consumed, after which the lower flanks of Cat Bells were traversed running north, leading to the Cumbrian Way and so via Nichol End and finally to the Hotel (total distance rumoured to be ca. 8 miles). Some went ahead to take advantage of the swimming facilities at Oxley Spas – something to be born in mind if this venue is visited again.

On Wednesday, Tim put all to shame by taking his car to Rosthwaite, then returning to the Hotel for breakfast, after which he and Elaine walked back to retrieve the car (and Elaine’s boots, thoughtfully left there). Yesterday’s party of six left the Hotel around 10 am to walk round Derwentwater, going anti-clockwise via Hawse End, Lower Brandlehow (landing stage still not in operation), Higher Brandlehow, where there was a few minutes pause to watch dog-training for lake-rescue work. The route then led off to the left towards Lodore and a picnic was enjoyed right by the footbridge over the River Derwent. A number of Canada Geese with a formidable number of goslings provided the lunch-time entertainment, as did a pair of swans with four cygnets. As the walk across to Lodore was completed some looked wistfully at a party of climbers on Shepherds Crag. The main attraction at Lodore was, however (and inevitably) the public conveniences. After all that excitement two of the party, Una and Ian, took to the boat to return to Keswick. The rest completed the walk (10 miles or so). Mike and Marcia repeated the Tuesday’s Little Town walk.

There were no particular plans for Thursday, each couple doing more or less their own thing, some of which are noted below. Keswick inevitably had attractions for some, but not for too long!

Una and Ian walked to Braithwaite, sampling the coffee on sale at the Camping Ground Cafe. In the village, Department of the Environment personnel were testing provisions to prevent or minimise flooding in the future. Some of the footbridges over Newlands Beck are still awaiting repair.

Elaine and Tim went further afield, visiting Blackwell, an Arts and Crafts movement house near Bowness and then spent the afternoon on a circular walk around Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge.

Angie and Alan took the road up the eastern side of Bassenthwaite Lake to Dodd Wood, where Ospreys can be seen over the lake, with RSPB staff in attendance and with Red Squirrels in the the woodland … but not this time! The terrain made walking difficult, but notwithstanding, Angie and Alan ascended ‘The Dodd’.

Anne and Paul ventured further north to Hutton-in-the-Forest, where the home of the Inglewood Family is situated.

Going by car to the coast, or sightseeing in general is always popular and much enjoyed by Cath and Cliff visiting Wordsworth House at Cockermouth. Mike and Marcia visited the Roman Museum at Maryport, with which they were very impressed.

The urge to visit persisted on the Friday when Anne and Paul dropped in at Sizergh Castle on their way home, a property owned by the Strickland Family for some 750 years until taken over by the National Trust in 1950.

For many of us it is sufficient and just as fulfilling to go round to see the old haunts that used to mean so much to us e.g. Borrowdale, Honister, Buttermere, Newlands, to be reminded of what we could once do! Thank you Cliff for those words ‘you are not alone’!

In conclusion, the weather was fine, not too hot and ideal for walking. The hotel was extremely good as was the food, with cheerful and helpful staff.

As ever, the Lakeland landscape never fails to delight its fans.

Our thanks to Paul for arranging this splendid meet.

Participants: Ann and Paul Dover, Angie and Alan Linford, Marcia and Mike Godden, Elaine and Tim Josephy, Cathy and Cliff Large, Ian and Una Laing.