We arrived in Grasmere on a sunny evening, and the forecast for the next few days was good.

Dinner was excellent as usual at Glenthorne Guest House. After dinner we had a short chat about clothing and equipment and the grades and routes for tomorrow.

Following this some women went into 'town' or what passes for town in Grasmere, to visit Tweedies bar, whilst the rest of us sat chatting in the conservatory until bedtime.

On this holiday there were to be Intermediate and Slow High walks each day - and women could choose which they wanted according to their aspirations and fitness.

It was a beautiful sunny spring morning as the Slow High walk with me, Marian, set off for Easedale Tarn, pausing at Sour Milk Gill waterfall on the way.

We rested awhile by the tarn till the Intermediate walk with Polly reached us. There was now an opportunity for women to swap walks if they wished and the Slow High group lost one member.

From here we continued on up to Codale Tarn - an idylic little tarn nestling in the hills. Our views back to Easedale Tarn below us were stunning.

We stopped beside Codale Tarn to soak up the atmosphere before tackling the last bit of our ascent onto the Blea Rigg ridge.

Blea Rigg is a ridge with close up views of some of the Langdale Pikes. From here we headed for Codale Head, to find a spot for lunch with a striking view down over both Codale and Easedale Tarns.

After Lunch we continued up the ridge to reach Sergeant Man - the rocky top of the ridge which is an outlying Langdale Pike. Below us we could see Stickle Tarn.

From here it was a relatively short stretch across the grassy top to High Raise.

From High Raise the views of the surrounding peaks were fabulous though I was so wrapped up in pointing out different hills that I forgot to take a photograph!

We returned to Glenthorne via Blea Rigg, descending eventually into the valley past stands of Juniper with the berries that smelled like Gin.

Polly's Intermediate walk had meanwhile also walked up past Sour Milk Gill waterfall to Easedale Tarn taking more wonderful photos on the way.

Women had a chance to swap groups at this point, and the Intermediate walk took a break while the Slow Highs headed off with Marian.

They then also headed up to the Blea Rigg Ridge but to a point slightly lower on the ridge immediately above the tarn.

The weather all day was a steady 69 degrees. There was a slight breeze on the top but the sky was a glorious clear blue clear.

They had a very relaxing lunch on the ridge soaking in the wonderful views, then made their way back along the ridge, passing under Silver Howe.

Their maximum height that day was 530m and they'd walked 8 miles - a very enjoyable and relaxed first day's walk.

I took the Slow High group again today and we had another glorious sunny day for Fairfield via an alternative Fairfield Horseshoe.

Our main ascent came early on, taking our time as we ascended steeply to Stone Arthur - a rocky outcrop on the ridge nearest to Grasmere.

From here the gradient slackened and we had a lovely time strolling along the ridge in the sun.

From the summit of Fairfield there were fantastic views, and it was great to have such a good sized group to share it with.

There was a pair of Ravens circling about above Dove Crag enjoying themselves in the gusty breezes.

I found some interesting views to photograph, and some interesting dry stonewalls.

Second lunch on the way down the ridge involved a bit of sunbathing and a visit from the Easter bunny, who brought Ritter Sports Marzipan to share!

We completed the horseshoe in good time to catch the 17.20 bus from Ambleside back to Grasmere, so there was time to shower before another delicious Glenthorne dinner.

After excelling herself selling WalkingWomen Buffs at breakfast much to the amusement of the other Glenthorne Guests, Polly set off with the Intermediate group again - this time for Alcock Tarn.

The weather really did not warrant a buff but they were stored in rucksacs just in case.

They took the steep zigzag National Trust path to the tarn - which warranted a break when they got there.

From here they continued up the hillside off-path to Heron Pike - a steep walk with superb views over Grasmere which finally intercepted part of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

They made very good time and everybody was pleased with themselves. Early morning cloud had burnt off now and the day was clear and blue.

On Heron Pike there was even a breeze so they found a rock to eat their lunch behind.

After lunch they made their way down the ridge back to Rydal where the café was closed but the bar open! A welcome refreshment.

They then strolled back to Grasmere around the two lakes. It was too cold for a swim. Although the weather seemed like mid summer, once the sun was behind a cloud you were reminded it was still April!

It was Polly turn to walk with the Slow High group whose goal today was Helvelyn via Grisedale Tarn.

Unfortunately the weather was misty, and before long they were walking in cloud.

It was also a lot colder today with winds of 30 mph forecast, possibly gusting to 44 mph on the tops. However the group were fit and suitably attired.

Lunch was taken just below Dollywagon in the orange shelter which proved very cosy.

Then up and up they went in visibilty of about 12'. At one point Polly thought they'd walked past the summit shelter, but hey ho they almost fell over it!

The wind was strong but manageable. They stopped in the shelter out of the wind and took on flapjack supplies. The conditions were diabolical but everybody was smiling and happy.

The route down to Thirlmere was quick and easy. The base of the clouds lifted and they had a beautiful afternoon.

At the Kings Arms they all piled in and ordered drinks, congratulating themselves on a truly splendid day. Home in time for another delicious Glenthorne supper.

The Intermediate walk with me, Marian, today headed for the Helm Crag ridge behind Grasmere.

The far end of the ridge was in mist, and as we progressed along the ridge from Helm Crag, the wind picked up.

However, the women were a keen and strong group and we pressed on through the mist to Calf Crag, stopping for a group photo in the mist and wind at the saddle before heading downhill into Far Easedale.

As soon as we lost some height we got out of the wind and into warmer weather again.

We stop for second lunch by the lovely waterfalls part way down the valley - taking our time since first lunch in the wind had been brief.

As we headed back towards Grasmere the sun came out again, and some of us detoured to visit the gardens of Lancrigg Hotel on the way back to Glenthorne.

Some women left early to start their journeys home while a few others took the morning to shop or sight see.

The rest of us, a reduced group of 8, took the opportunity to walk together.

The weather was back to being fine again as we headed up the short ascent onto Silver Howe overlooking Grasmere.

From the summit - with 5 lakes in view - we made our way across to Dow bank, then down into Red Bank woods where we had elevenses sitting on a fallen tree trunk.

We took the path to he top of Loughrigg Terrace and we walked down the 'terrace' - a favourite old walk of Wordworth's to reach the neck of land between Grasmere and Rydal Water.

The woods here are so beautiful that we took the woodlnd walk, crossed the river connecting the two lakes, and had lunch on the Grasmere shore.

I fed the friendly swan here even though I have been warned they are dangerous, I just don't believe it, they just want bread don't they? Anyhow they are great and very beautiful... oops!

After lunch we took the path up to the old historic 'coffin route' that connects Ambleside and Grasmere.

Here we found that the marshy pond behind White Moss Common is a major breeding ground for amphibians and it is all happening this weekend! The sound track on my camera was amazing!

After this diversion we returned downhill past Dove Cottage, then crossed the fields and the Millenium bridge to Grasmere.

We were back to Glenthorne in time for women to get to Windermere for their trains, and said our goodbyes - until the next time we meet!

9 April We formed one group on our last day, people with long journeys ahead of them setting off early. Marion led us a lovely route up and under silver howe, around rydal through white moss and back along the coffin route.