The Lakes were misty and atmospheric as we arrived at Glenthorne Guest House.

However the reception was warm, and we settled down to get to know each other over tea and home made cake.

There were 2 women from the States, one woman from Spain, and everyone was from a different walk of life. It made for fascinating listening.

After dinner and coffee, we decided on a brief stroll past the badger sets to Tweedies pub. Then it was home for a relatively early night.

It rained very heavily during the night and the forecast in the morning was poor - 'low cloud, persistant rain all day, winds up to 50mph'... lovely!

However, undaunted, after breakfast we set off up the Silver Howe path to cross the ridge between us and Elterwater - planning to have two smaller 'ups' to stay beneath the cloud.

However, the rain had stopped by the time we reached the ridge.

A quick foray onto Silver Howe gave us fine views back over Grasmere and Rydal Water, and onwards towards Elterwater and Windermere.

As we descended to Elterwater the Langdale Pikes came into view - looking very impressive as they loomed out of the mist.

From Elterwater we walked over the shoulder of Lingmoor Fell into Little Langdale, headed for Little Langdale Tarn.

Ahead of us it was raining on Wetherlam, but a brave patch of blue sky appeared, and we were amazed to find ourselves in the sun!

Needless to say, we stopped beneath this patch of blue sky at Slaters Bridge and ate our lunch overlooking Little Langdale Tarn - in the sun!

A detour from our path took us to Cathedral Cave - a superb quarried cave with a pillar supporting the roof in the centre.

Sarah was persuaded to sing in the cave - a truely magic moment.

Walking on we joined the Cumbria way through Little Langdale, and reached Colwith Force waterfall - which was very impressive after the night's rain.

A mile later we reached Skelwith Bridge.

The misty rain returned and a stop at the tea room became irresistible: tiffin, scones, lemon sponge.... you name it, we tried it!

Fortified, we climbed to the ridge again, this time past Loughrigg Tarn, and descended to the Grasmere road on the bridle path through Huntingstile woods.

By now the drizzle was persistant, and we were glad we'd been spared it for so much of the day.

Hot showers back at Glenthorne were also very welcome!

I don't think I have ever known the weather forecasts for a holiday to be so consistantly wrong!

Today we ignored the gloomy forecast, and set off up towards the mists, past Sour Milk Gill waterfalls and Easedale Tarn, headed for Blea Rigg.

Beyond Easedale Tarn we climbed the path up the head of the valley towards Blea Rigg - taking any scrambly sections in our stride.

On reaching the ridge just above Blea Rigg, the Langdale Pikes and Stickle Tarn suddenly came into view.

We found a sheltered spot for lunch overlooking Easedale and Codale Tarn - and watched the cloud shadows as the sun started to come out.

We then set off down the Blea Rigg ridge, enjoying wonderful views to both sides and ahead towards Windermere.

Part way down Cath amused us by starting to collect bog water specimens to see how many pregnant plankton there were.

Taking the path from Lang How, we descended between juniper bushes, arriving back in time for tea in the garden - in the bright sunshine.

After another delicious Glenthorne dinner we sat chatting over tea or coffee in the conservatory.

No one wanted to play a game, so we went for a stroll instead.

We walked up the road via Thorney How YH then down through Llancrigg woods - following which some headed to the pub and others were ready for bed!

Last day - and it has come far too soon!

Sun and clouds as we packed up after breakfast, then headed for the car park just outside Grasmere between the two lakes.

From here we walked through the woods to the bottom of Loughrigg Terrace, then up the Terrace to the foot of the Loughrigg Fell ascent.

Up, up, up we went with stunning views back over Grasmere whenever we paused for breath.

From the summit we could see all around - the Langdale Pikes; Elterwater, Lingmoor Fell, and Wetherlam beyond; Fairfield and Helvellyn...

After a break here we headed down the long spine of Loughrigg Fell.

We reached a stunning view of Loughrigg Tarn at one point, then we cut across towards Rydal Water, passing Rydal Cave on our way to a good lunch spot.

We returned to the cars, and drove back to Glenthorne to change before our journeys home.

A last cup of tea together in the garden was irresistible - and a final group photo before our hugs goodbye. Till the next time!