The first morning we set off from Glenthorne to walk up Allen Bank on the opposite side of the valley from the guest house.

It was such a wonderful Autumn day there was plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the beautiful views over Grasmere - and a good excuse to take a breather!

Low Intermediate means long and moderately low - so we went as far as the top of Silver Howe. The scenery was stunning - you can see 6 lakes from there!

The weather was perfect and the group was keen to explore further - so we walked along the ridge, descending past High Close towards Loughrigg Tarn - a perfect timing for a picnic!

From here we walked along Loughrigg Terrace looking down on Grasmere - and the views just got better and better. The group still wanted more, so we returned to Glenthorne via White Moss Common - for good measure!

The next day dawned fine again, so we decide to make the best of the day and go up a grade to full-scale Intermediate. Ascending up past Easdale Tarn clothes were shed as usual as wrapping up for 'winter' became redundant in the warm weather.

The views as we ascended the path beyond Easedale to Blea Rigg were perfect.

Many members of the group were from the flat landscapes around Cambridge and were amazed by how high the hills are in the Lakes and how much of a sense of achievement there is from climbing them.

The group just kept on going, enjoying every minute of our exploration along Blea Rigg.

Descending from Great Castle Howe we had some great views back over the Langdale Pikes.

Everyone was having such a good time that we went as far as Silver Howe and took the path down on the other side. Another good day, showing that we can often do more than we intially expect!

We had expected that Friday would be wet, so had saved the waterfalls walk in Little Langdale to get the best views after the rain the night before.

Starting at the car park outside Elterwater Christine showed she meant business with her extremely loud trousers!

Walking over to Little Langdale to Slater's bridge no one seemed to mind the rain as long as they had the right kit.

We walked along the valley to Hodge Close to see the old slate quarries and deep pools left by the workings. Then as we cut over to Stang End, we appreciated the autumn colours despite the rain.

Colwith Force waterfall was pretty spectacular - and a good place to stop for an early lunch.

Skelwith Bridge craft shop and tea room was then a great cake stop for afters! Even though it was raining we didn't mind sitting outside to enjoy the company.

Heading back to Elterwater beside Skelwith Force and Elterwater lake, some members of the group still wanted to keep walking and carried on from the car park back over the ridge to Grasmere. Once they started, there was no stopping them!!

On this final day, the Low Intermediate & High Intermediate groups consolidated - and then split into a long and short walk to suit women's travel plans.

The short sharp walk went up to Alcock Tarn, realising that short doesn't necessarily mean easy!

The mist cleared at the Tarn to give a worthwhile view.

From here some of us descended to Grasmere, while the longer walk returned over Loughrigg Fell. Many women resisted the opportunity to swap to a different group so as to stay with friends for the last day.