Apart from a few late arrivals we were all at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere in time for afternoon tea on the lawn. Very civilised!

After supper we took a gentle stroll around the village with a few of us stopping off at Tweedies Bar for a night cap.

There were lots of questions about the weekend especially concerning the weather forecast and there were a few apprehensions from women worried that their walking ability was less than the average in the group.

When they looked around from Glenthorne they saw high mountains and imagine the worst. Reassurance that the weekend would be fun was met with distrusting eyes...

Saturday started off as a very overcast day, and it was a bit chilly.

We split into two randomly formed groups and set off at different times for the walk around Grasmere and Rydal.

Bluebells carpeted every woodland floor - impossible to capture their beauty on camera!

We met up on Rydal for lunch and again for tea at Rydal Hall.

The gardens at Rydal Hall have just been renovated and are once more open to the public. They were splendid.

By the afternoon the sun was out and the walk back along the 'coffin route' was fantastic (so called because, in the past, coffins were carried along this path to consecrated ground at Grasmere Church).

All the way back and from our detour to White Moss Common, we had beautiful views across to where we'd walked in the morning.

That evening we had another delicious meal at Glenthorne followed by a stroll and a relaxed chat in the lounge.

Sunday the weather was not so good in the morning, however we made it to Easedale tarn before the heavens opened.

By after lunch it was torrential, and after walking around the tarn it turned to hail stones.

A very wet and bedraggled group took afternoon tea at Lancrigg.

It was pleasing to note that some things never change: the quality remains high but the service was still slow. However nobody had any pressing engagements.

That evening there were just a few takers for the evening stroll after dinner.

Last day and the weather had improved.

We split into two groups. Heather offered a walk to Greenburn Bottom, starting off along the back lanes...

Meanwhile, for the more adventurous minded, I took a somewhat more challenging walk up onto Silver Howe.

Silver Howe is a low level 'top' overlooking Grasmere.

They were very pleased with the walk and enjoyed the challenge of the steep climb.

The promise of a tea shop afterwards got them to the top where the views were impressive.

When the weather looked as though it was closing in, I suggested a quick return to Glenthorne but No, I had promised a tea shop and that's what everyone wanted.

The weather held fine so we sat in the garden of Faeryland tea room looking at the lake - a wonderful end to a wonderful weekend.

Many women swapped emails and there was talk of meeting to walk again. And of course, many promised to return on other WW holidays...

Gentle Grasmere: Walking Women - May 2007
Penny Rodrigues - 7 May 2007

'Tis Saturday morning, it's sunny and bright
Our leaders before us are setting things right
That's Heather and Polly, our guides in The Lakes
Ensuring our safety, avoiding mistakes;
Ably assisted by Dylan the dog
(I wonder if he's good if we're lost in the fog?)

"We'll set off real gently today, on our course
No need to rush, we'll not use any force.
Forget about time, just enjoy the walk -
There's plenty to see and you'll all want to talk!"

We set off in groups - there's group A and group B
We mingled and singled quite contentedly;
Enjoyed changing vistas whilst making new friends
By lake-shore, 'neath beech trees, down narrow lanes with bends.

There's Penny and Jenny and "Heather-number-two"
Smiling and keen as they relish the view
With Patricia and Pauline, Libby and Kay
Happily chatting and wending their way,

While Denise and Tricia, Tracy and Pam
Stop to admire a frolicking lamb.
Louise and Carolyn, Jean and Marie
Are watching their feet as they tackle the scree.

Annie and Sarah, "Emelda" (or Mary!)
Are scaling a path that is steep and quite scary.
Claudia and Hilda are walking with Jo Wondering -
" have we much further to go?"

By noon the two groups are together for lunch
Perched by Lake Rydal, having a munch
On Twixes and apples and sarnies and juice
Enjoying the sensation of "being on the loose"!

Our colourful backpacks and jackets and boots
Enriching the natural shades of our routes:
Past Grasmere and Rydal and under Nab Scar
Soon back at Glenthorpe - we've walked well so far!

On Sunday we set off, aware of the clouds
And soon we were donning our waterproof shrouds,
Put full to the test, all our weatherproof gear
As the wind, hail and rainstorm began to appear.

Soon we were crouched in a bracken lined hollow,
Rain mixed with the lunch we were trying to swallow,
But we remained jolly and put on more layers.
I do believe some started saying their prayers!

One group went on, round the tarn, oh so boggy
Traversed the streams and became very soggy.
We all aimed for Lancrigg for hot tea and cake
Then back to our hotel just off Grasmere Lake.

Recovery was rapid as proudly we told
Our tales of endurance, "up there in the cold!"

"We're hardy, we women, and take ALL in our stride:
Tackling life's dramas with spirit and pride"

So Thanks Walking Women for making this place
Where our batteries recharge and we get a fresh face
Then ready to progress in our own habitats
Always remembering our Lake walks and chats.