Everyone arrived early at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (ODG). Some women had arrived the day before to have some extra time in the area.

We discussed the plans for Friday and ordered dinner from the bar. There were some women who were new to WalkingWomen and some familiar faces also.

The weather wasn't forecast to be good today, and sure the sky was overcast when we woke.

The route up Stickle Ghyll was gorgeous though, and the waterfalls were roaring as we headed up to Stickle tarn and Pavey Arc.

After some elevenses by the tarn, we headed across to wild Blea Rigg.

The cloud swirled around us occasionally, but we got great views down to Easedale Tarn before heading south along the rigg.

The only rain of the day came at lunchtime, and unfortunately, Margaret's umbrella was not large enough for us all to get under!

Our return route took us down through the bracken to Chapel Stile where we stopped to buy weekend papers and treats from the Co-op. Some women also bought walking poles from the upstairs outdoor gear section.

At one point, we turned into the field opposite Tarn Howes to look at some Neolithic rock art - similar to Australian aboriginal art but in Langdale!

Later we relaxed in the ODG lounge, chatting and having a drink. Later we chose bar meals from the ODG Residents bar.

Today we headed up onto Side Pike and Lingmoor fell across the valley. It was a finer day and ideal walking weather.

To get from Side Pike to Lingmoor Fell you have to pass between a rock and a cliff without your rucksack - locally called "Fat Man's Agony". However, no walking woman has ever failed to get through (it actually looks narrower than it is!)

We strode out across the top of the fell, with wonderful views of the Langdale Pikes and Wetherlam.

There Buzzards and Hawks hunting and dragonflies skimming the pools.

Descending past old quarry workings (a touch of industrial archaeology here!) we reached the ancient woodland of Baysbrown woods.

With time in hand, we followed the river path to visit the Britannia Inn at Elterwater for some divine hot chocolate.

From here we returned to the ODG through the Great Langdale valley - in time for showers and a drink before dinner.

The weather forecast for today was good and our legs were now tried and tested. So off we set to walk the Langdale pikes of Harrison Stickle and Pike O Stickle.

This is where the Neolithic axe factories pictured in the rock art are to be found. (It's also where Marian's camera packed up).

The route took us up on a narrow path beside the waterfalls of Dungeon Ghyll with stunning views of Great Langdale below us.

Then up again onto Harrison Stickle, where it seemed like a good time for a snack and a summit photo.

From here we could see where we had walked on day 1.

Pike o Stickle was only 15 minutes walk away and some of us scrambled up onto the top for more views whilst others preferred to wait at the bottom.

We made good time across Martcrag Moor toward Langdale Combe and Stake Pass where the Cumbria Way emerges from the Langstrath valley and Borrowdale.

We turned left along it to zigzag down into Mickleden - a stunning U-shaped valley carved by a glacier in the ice age.

Our path now took us back along the valley floor to the ODG - in time for drinks in the lounge.

As this was our final day, we set off on a shorter route, aiming to be back to the hotel by two.

We had seen Pike O Blisco from some of the bedrooms and from the front windows of the ODG - and it is our goal today.

As we set off there was a Heron fishing in the stream. The path up is well laid so we made good time and got views of Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and beyond as we ate our lunch on the summit.

We are back in the ODG for 2pm so that women could catch trains and buses home.

Those of us who are not in a hurry had drinks in the garden and relaxed a little before saying our goodbyes, till next time!