The wet July weather cleared for the Summer Lesbian Break and we arrived at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere - in sunshine!

We sat in the garden as other women arrived, enjoying tea and cake, getting to know each other, and marvelling at our luck after such a wet July.

After dinner, practically everyone came for a stroll around Butharlyp How that finished at the pub for some, and with an early night for others.

Later, fireworks were let off from elsewhere in the village - quite unexpected!

With four WW guides on this holiday there were to be 4 walks to choose from each day.

The Gentle & Low Intermediate walks with Sue and Caroline started out together so the women could swap at the first break if needed.

Their route took them along the road out of Grasmere and up through Huntingstile woods to the top of 'Loughrigg Terrace' - a path with a stunning view out over Grasmere.

From here they continued at their different paces past Rydal Water. The Gentle walk stopping for a swim here.

The Low Intermediate crew meanwhile detoured to Rydal Cave, then walked 'Under Loughrigg' all the way to Ambleside.

They did not linger here, but turned back through Rydal Hall park to Rydal village where they turned up into the woods to reach some beautiful waterfalls - dramatic after recent days' rain.

The Gentle walk reached Rydal and after tea at Rydal Hall they turned back towards Grasmere along the 'Coffin Route'.

It was called this because people once carried their dead along this path to consecrated ground in Grasmere.

The Intermediate & High Level walks had likewise started out together but walked at their own pace so that women could find their level.

They were accompanied by Marcelle's dog Winston.

They were headed for the Blea Rigg ridge beyond Easedale Tarn, and the first break was at Sour Milk Gill waterfall which was stupendous after the rain.

Continuing on, we reached Easedale Tarn - completely idylic in the sun - weren't we lucky! 2 women took this opportunity to swap to Intermediate at this point.

From here the path steepened up the head of the valley, climbing steadily towards the ridge with great views back to the tarn below and across to the Langdale Pikes when we reached the top.

The High Level walk turned up the ridge to Sargeant Man and High Raise with stunning views of the Central Fells.

The Intermediate walk had meantime turned down the ridge, and found a sheltered spot for lunch with Windermere in view.

Walking down the ridge was a total pleasure - expansive views to each side, lots of conversations taking place, lovely spots to pause and take it all in.

We returned to Glenthorne walking down through the juniper and bracken, emerging into the field by the B&B just in time for tea and cake in the garden!

Later after supper we talked about the next day's walks, then a large contingent headed for the pub leaving others to chatting in the lounge before bed.

We woke to sun and scudding clouds - and had another good forecast all day.

The Gentle & Low Intermediate groups headed for Easedale Tarn today. They took the 'up' slow and steady, with a good break beside Sour Milk Waterfall.

They had lunch at the tarn where some women swam - a lovely spot beside the water.

After a circuit of the tarn, they headed down into Far Easedale - the neighbouring valley.

While the Gentle walk with Sue turned towards Grasmere, the Low Intermediate group with Caroline explored further up Far Easedale.

I and the Intermediate group of the day had meantime headed for the Helm Crag ridge (there was a certain amount of moving taking place between the grades as women found their own level).

Accompanied by Libby the dog, we zigzagged up through the bracken, pausing to take in the view and catch our breaths, and stopping for a good break looking down over Grasmere.

From Helm Crag we started along this wonderful dragon-back ridge, steadily climbing to the summit at Calf Crag where we stopped for lunch in the sun.

Our return route took us down Far Easedale where we found any idylic swimming hole in Far Easedale Beck out of sight of the path - with its own jacuzzi - and 5 of us indulged!

The High Level walk with Marcelle had meantime headed for Fairfield, taking the path up from Grasmere via Stone Arthur to join the Great Rigg ridge.

The views just got better the higher they climbed - back over Grasmere and Windermere, across to the central fells, and north towards the Scottish coast.

From the summit they could see Striding Edge, and majestic St Sunday Crag - part of the ridge up from Patterdale to Fairfield.

Their return route took them down over Hart Crag to the High Pike ridge, and they walked down it into Ambleside in time for tea.

That evening we had a quiz - a lively affair with women's questions to supplement the pub quiz.

Caroline ruled the proceedings with a rod of iron (and sustained much heckling!)

Another stunning day - blue skies and fluffy white clouds! A perfect day to include a swim!

The Gentle, Low Intermediate and Intermediate walks all headed for a great swimming hole via different routes, with different return paths.

The Intermediate group and I climbed to the lovely view from Dow Bank on our way over the ridge to Elterwater.

From here we walked up through the woods then down to Little Langdale Tarn and Slaters Bridge - a beautiful spot surrounded by hills.

Near here there's an amazing quarried cave with a striking pillar holding up the roof.

Who should we meet outside the cave but the Gentle & Low Intermediate groups who had started their walk from Elterwater.

Continuing on through more lovely woods we reached the Lakes' best kept secret of a swimming hole.

Here 5 women swam while others sat by the water to eat their lunch or chat.

We finally dragged ourselves away and headed back past dramatic Hodge Close - a deep quarry with a blue lagoon in the bottom.

Some now took the shortest route back to Elterwater with Caroline and I, while others with Sue took the longer route via Skelwith Bridge tea room.

On the way they passed Colwith Force and Skelwith Falls.

The High Level walk with Marcelle had meantime set their sights on Helvellyn - making sure of the highest peak before the weather changed.

Setting off from Grasmere they walked up to Grisedale Tarn overlooking Tongue Gill, with fabulous views back to Grasmere whenever they paused.

From Grisedale Tarn they had a stiff zigzag up Dollywagon Pike - at least third of the 'up' in one go.

Now came the final gentler ascent to the summit of Helvellyn from where they could look down on Striding Edge and Red Tarn - and across to Ullswater stretching away in the distance.

Their descent took them down towards the head of Thirlmere where they had left 2 cars that morning.

They reached the Kings Arms in time for a drink before driving back down the valley to Grasmere.

The weather was forecast to break today with a weak cold front drifting down from Scotland. However, the morning was dry so no plans were changed.

The Intermediate and High Level groups both had an exciting day on the Langdale Pikes.

The Intermediate walk took the Loft Crag path up from Great Langdale to arrive between Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle.

From here we made our way to the summit of Harrison Stickle - the highest of the Langdale Pikes.

Who should we see making their way towards us but Marcelle and the High Level group who had walked there from the Stickle Tarn path via rocky Pavey Ark.

After lunch together admiring the views in the shelter of a rocky outcrop, we made our way over to Pike o Stickle and most of us took the scrambly route to the top for more impressive views.

For some women it was their first experience of scrambling!

As we headed across Martcrag Moor towards Stake Pass, a misty rain started to fall.

The Intermediate walk now headed down into the dramatic U-shaped valley of Mickleden.

The High group continued on over Rossett Pike to Angle Tarn, descending down the Rossett Gill path.

The Gentle and Low Intermediate walkers had started together past Wordsworth's Dove Cottage and White Moss Common, crossing through the woods between Grasmere and Rydal Water to the foot of Loughrigg Terrace.

Here they found their own pace, walking up Loughrigg Terrace to descend to Loughrigg Tarn.

The tarn was pretty with plenty of waterlilies in flower, and striking views of the Langdale Pikes in the distance.

2 women swam and pronounced it the warmest swim yet (other swims having been rather nippy!)

The Gentle walk now headed back to Grasmere via High Close woods.

The Low Intermediate walk made their way up onto Dow Bank - enjoying a good view before the misty rain closed in.

Last night is party night!

We'd given a list of each woman's favourite dancing music to Peter - Glenthorne's 2nd chef - and very kindly downloaded these choices to produce brand new WW party CD's!!

The disco was a great success, with women dancing till the small hours with great energy while others put the world to rights in the lounge.

Helen was amazing and cleared up quietly after everyone else went to bed - thank you Helen, there was nothing to do in the morning!!

Last morning - some maybe a bit hung over. However the fine weather had returned, and after packing up and putting luggage into cars, most of us set off for Greenburn Bottom.

This lovely, largely deserted valley has a wonderful swimming hole.

Again about 4 of us indulged (or suffered!) The rushing beck was cold but oh so refreshing under the jacuzzi!

The High Level walkers had their reputation to maintain, so they headed for Alcock Tarn - a short walk to a beautiful tarn on the slopes above Grasmere.

Later we all met up in the garden at Glenthorne for a last cuppa together before heading home. Lots of hugs, lots of good friendships made, sad to be going!

(In 2008 there will be two Lesbian Breaks: a Spring Lake District break in May, and a Summer Peak District break at the end of July. Let us know if you would like details - available very soon!)