Return to England, and the fells of the Lake District

This is my new travel blog. I’ll be posting from England (and other places) this summer as I do a Workaway in the Lake District in England.

I arrived last night in Keswick (silent w) in the northern part of the Lake District for a day or so of exploring before I head to Rydal for my Workaway job. Keswick has so much to see and do as it sits on the shore of Derwentwater, a lake surrounded by fells and crossed by beautiful old wooden cruisers that drop off, and pick up, passengers from piers dotted around the lake.

I gazed out at The Catbells from the shore of Derwentwater lake this morning as I waited to board the launch that would take me to the foot of the trail to climb it. It wasn’t too steep, but I was glad to have my walking stick with me.

This is a panorama I took about half way up the trail, looking back at the lake and the path I was climbing with many other walkers- some of whom had very good dogs with them. I walked the whole trip with a man from Northumberland named Steve, and his sturdy Cocker spaniel Henry. Henry would hop up onto rocky outcroppings or benches to politely beg for treats from Steve’s pocket. His treats were baby carrots. I shared my apple with him at the end of our hike.

After I parted company with Steve and Henry, I decided to push on to climb another fell, Walla Crag, before the expected rain arrived. More gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding fells interspersed with farm animals hanging out on steep inclines. And I managed to get lost 3 times walking open fields looking for a trail the map swore was easy to find to get me to a bus back into town. I eventually re-traced my steps down towards town.

The rain never came, except for a few drops here and there. I managed to find my way to Castlerigg Stone Circle, a 5000 year old circle of 38 stones “mysteriously laid out on a line between the two tallest peaks on the horizon”. Very cool to walk this circle in the middle of a field, with my extremely tired legs somehow feeling energized by gazing up at the peaks beyond. In the photo, the other big peak is to the left. Both quite huge.

A great end to a day of natural beauty. I managed to trek my weary legs the 1.5 mi back to town to a fantastic dinner downstairs in the my hotel. More to come after I settle into my new “job” tomorrow.