We started off near a prison today, in Parkhurst Forest. From how people refer to it, I assume the prison is a major establishment. Certainly the “forest paths” are wide enough to take a vehicle if needed. There are narrow, untended paths angling off this maintained one. Betty Wood volunteered to be “back marker”, to keep track of stragglers. As I was videoing flowers, I asked her if she knew the names, and she did – every one. This made an interesting walk for me, although the others may not have enjoyed it too much because there was very little to see. We walked quite a way through a town – quite ordinary, except for the piglets that looked so cute. After this we tramped along various types of paths to the River Medina . Here ... read more

We had the most beautiful walk today, following more passes and valleys than spectacular ridges. We started from the hotel and walked gradually uphill through the valley, then angled more steeply up to a pass. We crossed to the next valley by way of a pond called Blea Tarn(there are several by this name). To someone from Alberta, this tarn (small mountain lake) was completely unremarkable, but it seemed to be a point of interest to many people and is subject of a painting in Grasmere. From here we started an adventurous clamber along the side of the valley to the streams coming down from the higher hills. The first geology lesson was again useful to understand that each valley has a stream originating between two higher hills, which then drops precipitously to the valley floor ... read more

Free day today. Many of us, including me, needed it, but some people planned extra hikes. I went to Keswick in a Range Rover driven by a professional chauffeur, Tom. He and his brother, John, are Londoners here for a holiday. John is a lift attendant at the House of Commons, although he once was a gas fitter. They are both over six feet tall, and are kind, earnest people. We met at the evening entertainment last evening, and they almost insisted on including me on their drive to Keswick, the nearest big town. There were lots of “hiking gear” shops in Keswick check out. I wanted some gaiters (£6.99 for nylon), which in another era would have been called spats, although these are much less elegant. They get attached to your boot lace and cover ... read more

Today it was supposed to rain and it didn’t – a beautiful day of mixed sun and cloud. Tomorrow it is supposed to pour, and someone told me it is the same forecast for the whole country. Layers (of clothes) today! The Level 4 walk (easier) is much more to my taste and ability, probably a bit harder than the most strenuous of the Devon walks last year. Today we took an easier route in the same general area as the harder walk – more gradual (still puffing) through broad switchback trails. I didn’t realize that the meaning of walking here is closer to what we call hiking. The objective is to go up to the top of a ridge and walk along it. The views were fabulous, and with this level of walk there was ... read more

I am sitting in a frigid ensuite room in Forestside Lodge at about 3:00 pm. I arrived at the hotel by taxi from Windermere, which cost £14.50 plus £2, but at least not soaked, as I would have been on the bus. As reserved, the hotel assigned me a single room without ensuite. The toilet and shower were down two halls and through three fire-doors. (Imagine a middle-of-the night trip!) I asked if there were any ensuites, and the manager said he would keep me in mind, as some were on hold. After a rest, some videoing, a rest, and a walk into and around Grasmere (less than three hours), he said there was a double ensuite in the Lodge (a fairly recent addition). I could have it at the usual single rate. Hooray! (No TV, ... read more