Everyone arrived at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale in time to settle in before dinner at 7.30.

Some also had a stroll around the area and a drink in the bar.

Over drinks and coffee after dinner we discussed plans for the first day's walking in the ODG's comfortably residents lounge - nice to have the whole hotel to ourselves!

Unfortuntely, the day dawned rather wet and misty!

The Intermediate walk with me (Marian) set off through the nearby National Trust campsite and took the path up towards Lingmoor Fell.

The Bracken was high, and wet, so we took the broader path to the saddle, and then turned along the crest of the fell past Lingmoor tarn.

We had a lunch stop near the first of the old greenslate quarries, and then headed for the path down into Baysbrown woods.

As we passed among the old workings in the woods we found lots of tiny toads, only 8mm or so long, we walked in single file to avoid treading on them.

As it had been a wet morning, it was decided that we head for the Britannia inn in Elterwater, for hot chocolate, though some of us opted for homemade soup.

On the way back up Langdale we detoured to see the Neolithic Rock Art on the Chapel stile Boulders.

Despite the conditions, everyone was remarkably interested, following which we took the most direct route back to the hotel.

The Slow High walk had meantime taken the Stickle Tarn path up onto the Langdale Pikes.

The day started off well with only a slight drizzle and we warmed up nicely as we climbed the path.

We headed right around the tarn and then up the gulley to the top of Pavey Ark. By the time we reached the top we were in thick cloud (and my camera got put away!)

We used the shelter for lunch, then continued towards Harrison Stickle - the highest Langdale Pike - but when I announced we were on the top of it, there as less than the usual enthusiasm. It's not the same when you can't see the views!

Accordingly, we missed out Pike of Stickle and headed off across Martcrag Moor to Stake Pass. From here we descended into the huge U-shaped valley of Mickleden back to the ODG.

The highlight of the day came when we reached the valley flor and stood and watched a young farmer with his three dogs bringing in the Herdwick ewes and their lambs.

To our delight there one lamb was so tiny must have been only a couple of days old.

Polly and I swapped groups today, and I took the Slow High walk for a change.

We had planned Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell for today, but gale force winds were forecast, so a plan B seemed advisable!

Instead we walked up from Oxendale to Red Tarn, and from there to Wrynose pass, descending into Little Langdale - an altogether more sheltered route, but still with plenty of 'up'.

The water falls were gushing and the wind was already gusty.

When we arrived at the path junction near the tarn the wind was gusting hard and cloud was streaming down off Crinkle Crags. We were glad we weren't up there!

On the path toward Wrynose pass we met the Ambleside and Langdale mountain rescue, coming up the path toward us carrying two portable stretchers and some rather large rucksacks...

We carried on down into the valley, and Little Langdale Tarn - getting an excellent view of the Langdale Pikes on the way.

We included a visit to Slater Bridge - Greenburn Beck was very swollen from yesterday's rain.

The weather was fining up, and as you can see, we modelled a stylish line in waterproof trousers and t-shirts!

The sheep were about to shed a few layers too!

Back in Great Langdale we met the other group, before visiting the tearooms at Chapel Stile.

The Slow High group hadn't seen the Rock Art yesterday, and some women expressed interest, so we visited the site on our way back to the hotel.

The Intermediate walk was also been changed due to the gale forecast, and set off with me (Polly) for a widdershins circuit of Little Langdale, Elterwater, and Great Landale - a very respectable length, but staying sheltered at low level.

We walked past Blea Tarn and down through the pass into Little Langdale.

The paths were so wet, that at one point I gave someone a piggy back - and she christened me St Christopher!

We reached Slaters Bridge near Little Landale Tarn for an early lunch. The river was high, and we saw Marsh Orchids in the field by the bridge.

The weather fined up in the afternoon, and after that rough start we discarded our waterproofs and pursued our Bridges and Tarns circuit in t-shirts!

Marian's group caught up with us at Bays Brown, and from there took the longer route back, while the Intermediate continued more directly.

This morning the weather was fine - and the Intermediate walk set off up the Langdale pikes (with Marian).

We stopped for a group photo at the bottom of the Dungeon Ghyll (stream), and then paced ourselves for the ascent to the Pikes.

On the way up we saw some huge dragonflies like biplanes, and we passed through the archaeological sites where the famous Hand Axes were manufactured during the Neolithic period.

At the top we stopped for lunch and to admire the view, and saw a pair of ravens.

We then continued up onto Harrison Stickle - the highest of the Landale Pikes.

From here we crossed to Pike O'Stickle where a couple of women were game to come scrambling to the top - more superb views!

Our return route took us over Martcrag Moor and Langdale Combe to Stake Pass, then down into Mickleden - a superb U-shaped valley.

On the way down the zigzags, we met a young shepherd with 5 dogs, all obeying commands and flushing sheep out of the bracken to drive them down into the valley.

In Mickleden we met mountain rescue again, this time just one Land Rover looking for girl who has gone missing near Stickle tarn. They offered lifts to those who wanted them, but most of us finished on foot.

The Slow High walk had meantime been tempted by the good weather and visibility to head for Wetherlam via Blea Tarn and Greenburn Mine.

We had great views back to the Langdale Pikes as we walked to the start of our path.

The path to the top was overgrown with bracken, and some found the scramble section hard - but a helping hand and encouragement saw all safely to the top.

After this achievement, the scramble down from the summit proved no problem, and we arrived at the bottom in very good time.

It had been a long day, and tiring, but everyone returned with a smile and a great sense of achievement.

A fine day today - just a bit cloudy on the tops. We all joined forces and walked together up Pike O'Blisco.

Although Pike O Blisco is accessible with a good path up it this is quite a rocky fell on top with various false summits and some optional rocky steps, where you need to use hands as well as feet.

So we had fun practising for the harder times, when they may not be so optional!

Lunch on the top afforded fantastic views of the Langdale Valley.

A suggestion for the way down was a zip wire straight to the Hotel!!!! We sat in the sun awhile on the way back down.

We had sorted out who needed a lift to the station the night before, so when we reached ODG there was plenty of time for goodbyes and even a refreshing drink for some before heading home.