This double choice holiday was based at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere. Most of us arrived by about 5pm, then sat out in the garden chatting and getting to know each other.

After a delicious Glenthorne dinner we had coffee in the lounge, then most of the group were keen on an evening stroll. This ended at the pub for a swift 'half' before bed!

We woke to a beautiful morning with blue skies. After a generous breakfast both intermediate and high groups started up the path to Easedale Tarn, and then up again from the tarn to the Blea Rigg ridge.

As we climbed the path, it was good to turn back, catch our breath, and take in the views of Easedale Tarn below us. Across Easedale we could see Helvellyn and Fairfield - possible high walks for the following days.

At the top we had views of Windermere and the Coniston Fells, and stopped here for a break before the two groups separated.

While Sue took the intermediate walk down the ridge towards Loughrigg with plans to swim in Grasmere, I took the high level walk up the ridge to Sargeant Man - an outlying Langdale pike.

We had a lovely sunbathing lunch just under the top of Sargeant Man looking down on Stickle Tarn and across to the two main Pikes - Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle.

Climbing another few metres to the summit, we had a group photo on Sargeant Man then continued the short way to High Raise for some extraordinary 360 degree views.

Most of the Lakeland fells were in view: Bow Fell and Scafell Pike, Great Gable topped by cloud, Grasmore and the Newland Fells, Skiddaw, Blencathra, with Helvellyn further round.....

It was windy here so we didn't stay long, and were soon walking back across the turf towards Grasmere Common - another wonderfully deserted ridge that lies to the north of Easedale Tarn.

We descended much of this ridge on grass - then stopped at on an outcrop in the sun looking down on the tarn.

Some wanted to swim, so we took a path down through high bracken for a swim in the tarn before returning to Grasmere. Well, two swam!

Sue and the intermediate group of the day, having also climbed to below Blea Rigg, then headed down the ridge to Silver How.

The views all the way down, and particularly on the top of Silver How were superb.

From Silver How they had a 5-lake view: Grasmere, Rydal Water, Windermere, Elterwater and Esthwaite Water.

From here they continued down through the woods to the Grasmere shore. Needless to say, some swimming and paddling took place here as well.

While the high walk had tea in the garden at Glenthorne, the others just 'happened' to pass the Fairy Glen tea room beside the lake on their way back!

Later, after dinner, Sue got her guitar out and Celia produced her baroque flute - and we had a whole range of wonderful songs.

Those who didn't fancy singing, walked down to the pub for a nightcap or two.

Today, while Sue took the high walk first to Great Rigg and Fairfield, the intermediate group and I walked up onto the same ridge via Alcock Tarn.

Our path was steadily 'up' all the way to the tarn - a stunning little lake tucked into the hillside. We had wonderful views as we climbed - back to Grasmere and across to the Helm Crag and Blea Rigg ridges.

We stopped for a rest and a snack at the tarn, sitting in a sheltered spot in the sun.

Our goal for the day was Heron Pike which lay steeply above us across the bracken and grass.

We took it slow and steady, zigzagging where necessary, and stopping to catch our breath or look back at the tarn receding below us.

After an early lunch just before the ridge, we turned up the ridge on the path to Heron Pike. However, at Heron Pike, everyone wanted to continue further, so we walked as far as Great Rigg - an additional 200m of ascent!

The views from Great Rigg were amazing, the visibility was excellent.

We could see Fairfield above us, Dollywagon Pike, Helvellyn, and Striding Edge beyond. The Galloway coast was even visible across the Solway Firth to the north.

While we rested out of the wind below Great Rigg, Pauline and Marcel who'd just been on the Kerry holiday came striding past. They were out walking the Fairfield horseshoe. Small world!

We turned and descended the ridge after them, with fabulous views down to Grasmere and Rydal Water - and ahead to Windermere.

The last bit of the descent off Nab Scar was steeper and very warm, so after a quick swim in Rydal Water we decided to catch the bus back to Grasmere.

Sue and the high level group had meantime taken a steeper route to Great Rigg, climbing directly from Grasmere via Stone Arthur.

After a break out of the wind among the rocks at Stone Arthur, the continued up the path to Great Rigg.

From here it was only another 150m of ascent to the summit of Fairfield.

The views were absolutely amazing - of St Sunday Crag, of the N.E Fairfield crags, of Dolly Wagon and Helvellyn beyond, and of course, of Striding Edge.

It was also pretty windy, so after lunch in the shelter and a group photo they continued on around the 'horseshoe', over rocky Hart Crag, and down the ridge.

They walked over High Rigg and Low Rigg - with a little scrambling at one point, and down towards Ambleside with Windermere ahead of them.

Cutting down through Rydal Park to Rydal Hall, they found that the tea shop was already closing - which is the point where we had all met up and decided on a swim.

Those who didn't want to swim or catch the bus home continued on along the Coffin Route back to Grasmere with Sally - a prospective WW guide who was 'backing up' on the holiday.

Everyone was well pleased with their achievements - and it had been another fabulous day.

In the evening the majority of the group headed to the pub while others chatted or took advantage of an early night.

Yet another beautiful morning! After breakfast we all drove over the ridge to Great Langdale - the valley beyond the Blea Rigg ridge.

While the intermediate group and I climbed the Langdale Pikes, Sue took the high walk over the Crinkle Crags and up onto Bow Fell.

They took it steadily up the path to Brown Howe, stopping to enjoy the views of Great Langdale, the Langdale Pikes, and the Crinkle Crag ridge above.

The wind was cold despite the sun when they reached the Crinkles, and they sought a sheltered spot for lunch.

The Crinkle Crags are a series of rocky tops along the ridge which extends beyond Bow Fell towards Wrynose Pass.

Around every corner along the path the view changes - to Eskdale, to Great Langdale, or ahead to Bow Fell and the Scafells.

At one point there was a scramble up the 'Step' onto Long Top - the highest of the Crinkles - which everybody managed without recourse to the alternative route.

At the end of the Crinkles, some wanted to climb Bow Fell with Sue, while others in the group opted to start on down the 'Band' back to Great Langdale with Sally.

It took 20 minutes to climb up to the summit for superb views of the Scafells and Eskdale, then they too descended the Band to the popular Hikers Bar at the Old Dungeon Ghyll.

I took the Intermediate walk of the day up onto the Langdale Pikes from the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.

We chose the Loft Crag path rather than the busy Stickle Tarn path - and had it blissfully to ourselves.

Lots of short stops on the way up - it's a steep zig zag path - but what stunning views we had all the way up!

At Loft Crag we had an early lunch break, then continued up onto Harrison Stickle - the highest of the Langdale Pikes.

The way up Harrison Stickle is rocky but the group managed it in style including many who'd never done this kind of walking before!

We had fabulous clear views all around us when we reached the top.

We could see Stickle Tarn below us, and Pavey Ark where people were walking and scrambling up Jack's Rake.

Helvellyn and Fairfield lay in the distance to the North East, the Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell to the West, and the rest of Great Langdale stretched away green below us.

From here we walked back down the last short ascent and across to Pike O Stickle. This has an easy scramble to the top. Several women tried scrambling for the first time and loved it!

At Stake Pass we turned left to take the Cumbria Way down into Mickleden, and along the valley to the Old Dungeon Ghyll for well deserved refreshment!

In the evening there was lots of pouring over maps to see where both groups had walked to.

We then played a raucous game of 'In the manner of the word' until the thought of last orders called half the group to the pub!

It was the last day today sadly. It had rained in the night and was still drizzling in the morning. A variety of weather forecasts left us uncertain of the day's prospects.

In the end, while 3 or 4 women went to potter and shop in Grasmere, the rest of us had a brisk walk around Grasmere and Rydal Water via White Moss Common.

Very soon the sun returned and we had a lovely day.

The singing quartet did a couple of songs in Rydal Cave with its amazing acoustics.

Then, after a break, we headed back beside Rydal Water and along Loughrigg Terrace to pick up a lovely woodland path back to Grasmere.

At one point some of us spied a doe and fawn grazing in the lush grass near the lake.

Back at Glenthorne we met up with the shoppers (who'd also visited Dove Cottage), and had a last cup of tea together before hugs goodbye.

The time away had felt longer than 4 days. We'd done some great walks, thoroughly stretched ourselves, and had walked in sunshine everyday!