We met up at Glenthorne at around 5pm - getting to know each other, and chatting over the options for the next day's walks. The forecast was for low cloud over the hills...

After a lovely Glenthorne meal some women sauntered down to the pub in Grasmere while the rest of us chatted in the lounge.

This morning the cloud was almost down to Glenthorne's garden! The high level walk with me, Sue P, set off along the beautiful path beside Sourmilk Gill up to Easdale tarn.

The gill was in full spate but it wasn't warm enough to paddle!

From Easedale Tarn we climbed upwards to little Codale tarn via some interesting rocky bands which cross the footpath here.

Leaving behind Codale tarn we ascended to Blea Rigg by which time the cloud was beginning to swirl higher giving us atmospheric views over the Langdales and Stickle Tarn.

On we went to Sargeant Man where we stopped for lunch and then we continued up to High Raise, our highest point of the day from where we had some good views towards Skiddaw.

We retraced our steps to Blea Rigg and followed its beautiful, broad, undulating ridge southwards giving us lovely views of Elterwater and Windermere.

Our path off the ridge took us through juniper groves where some of us harvested berries and wood sorrel leaves.

The Intermediate walk with Marcelle had meantime headed up the Far Easedale valley in high spirits despite the cloud base being so low!

From the bridge over Far Easedale Beck we entered the Far Easedale valley with its meandering river & periodic waterfalls, not to mention the resident Herdwick sheep!

A welcome rest at the waterfalls while we ate our lunch allowed time to appreciate the wonderful views across to the far ridge of Gibson Knotts & Helm Crag.

One member of the party was feeling unwell, so we retraced our steps after lunch to the Easedale Tarn path - crossing stepping stones over the boggy stretches to reach the tarn.

The weather was improving all the time and it was a lovely walk.

We circled around right round the tarn with excellent views, then descended in to Easedale itself looking out towards the distant fells and Grasmere.

Back at Glenthorne, we were soon tucking in to tea & cake, but not before we'd done our stretching exercises!! The high level group arrived joined us shortly. After supper some women visited the local hostelries and others chatted in the peaceful atmosphere of Glenthorne.

The day dawned grey & murky with a forecast of possible thunderstorms in isolated valleys!

Undeterred, the High Level group set off with me, Marcelle, towards Alcock Tarn, passing some lovely natural features en route - rushing Greenhead Gill and numerous fungi.

As we zigzagged up the steep hillside, the cloud was lifting & we were afforded good views of Helm Crag over the valley.

We reached Alcock Tarn, and from there took the un-chartered route across country towards Lords Crag above.

This involved a little 'bracken bashing' at which point the walk was re-named 'Heron Pike safari'!!

On reaching the ridge, a short further ascent brought us atop Heron Pike.

From here we took the ridge route down - part of the Fairfield Horseshoe - finishing with a steep section over Nab Scar which conveniently deposited us just above Rydal Hall & it's Tea Shop!

Suitably refreshed we headed home via the Coffin Route - a path along which coffins were transported in days gone by. Nowadays the resting stones make good seats. A short stroll along the river brought us back to Glenthorne, safari over!!

The Intermediate group with Sue P had meantime walked from near Grasmere up the rocky path under Silver How.

They passed through lovely lush landscapes and rain (!) to arrive at Blea Rigg ridge from where we could see into the Langdale valley, towards Elterwater.

From here we followed the undulating ridge with its wonderful rocky summits and secret, hidden valleys towards Red Bank.

The showers continued so we sought shelter in the garden of Langdale youth hostel for lunch, where the weather kindly stayed dry for a while.

After lunch we followed the Victorian promenade walk along Loughrigg Terrace to Grasmere lake.

At this point the sun came out and created two beautiful rainbows over the lake.

We followed the lakeside path back towards the village where some women bought Grasmere gingerbread and others walked back to Glenthorne through a torrential downpour!

After a welcome cup of tea we said our goodbyes and headed off home.