Glorious weather to start the holiday, so we headed up onto Helm Crag in good spirits - getting quite hot and sweaty on the climb even though it was the end of October!

After a photo and drink stop on Helm Crag, we walked along the ridge to Gibson's Knott and Calf Crag for lunch.

For our route home, we crossed the boggy ridge to Steel Fell and then descended steeply into the valley and back along the lanes to Grasmere. A very satisfactory first day!

Fabulous weather again today as we made our way through Grasmere towards the Stone Arthur path to Great Rigg.

The clear day gave great views up to Fairfield and across the Grasmere valley to Helm Crag.

And the views just got better as we neared Great Rigg - part of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

After a photo stop on the top, we turned back along the ridge for lunch on Heron Pike.

The walk back down the ridge to Nab Scar gave us wonderful views over Grasmere and Rydal Water. From Rydal village we crossed the valley to Rydal Cave and then returned to Grasmere along Loughrigg Terrace.

As if moving into November brought a change of weather, we woke to overcast skies and rain this morning.

Despite the reduced visibility, however, we still had an enjoyable day on Blea Rigg, taking the path via Lang How, and navigating our way up the ridge to Sargeant Man - the most outlying of the Langdale Pikes.

On the way, we came across parties hopelessly lost in the mist - and put them straight! Then we dropped down into Easedale very steeply to take a break beside Easedale Tarn in the light rain.

From here we headed down to Grasmere down the good Easedale path, and so back to base for tea.

Today was our last day and some women were leaving early to travel home. The low and high intermediate groups mingled according to who wanted a longer or shorter walk.

For the longer walk we made our way over White Moss Common past Rydal Water to Rydal Cave.

The lake was beautifully still, reflecting the opposite shore perfectly.

After a short break at the cave, we made our way up onto Loughrigg Fell, and then down the stepped path back to Grasmere.

The weather was overcast but not wet - a fitting end to a good trip!