I’ve been in the Lake District now for four days and have experienced almost all kinds of weather! I’m assessing some groups who are on a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition. After a travel and acclimatisation the hike got off to a very wet start in torrential rain. We tried to delay departure, but with it not easing up until the evening, there was nothing to do but just go for it! Thankfully, our arrival in Ravenglass on Wednesday was dry and we were able to cook and sort kit out with ease.
Thursday was simply grim…
And somewhat problematic at times!
A few summers ago, Clare and I relaxed on a single beach by this trickle of a river!…
While sheltering at a checkpoint in Eskdale, I saw the train go past.
The paths became rivers!
Happily, the group chose to find a better way across the ‘path’.
It was quite incredible to see how much rain had fallen in a single day! Everyone (including me!) had wet clothes and kit to deal with. Luckily the campsite in Eskdale had a drying room and a tumble drier, which got plenty of use.
The drama of ‘the wet day’ was all but forgotten next morning and it felt like a different world completely, waking up to blue skies.
The route took them over to Wasdale and I drive around to meet them.
It’s always good up here, but especially when the weather is good. Once all the groups had arrived, one of my friends from University, who lives nearby turned up for a cup of tea and a catch up. (I’d told him I’d be in the area). We felt a bit bad leaving the group to fend for themselves, while walking over to the pub for a brew - but not too bad! After all, we’d got our Gold Award already!
By the time we came out to see what the groups had made for dinner, the weather had changed again!
So we retreated back inside for ours!
After the rain had cleared the sky of any dust, the stars shone as brightly as the alps. I spent ages picking out constellations and watched the space station drift overhead.
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