Everyone arrived over the late afternoon - meeting in the garden, then sharing a good meal together in Glenthorne's dining room.

Over this holiday period there were in fact 3 grades of walks of offer each day with Sara running a Gentle Grasmere holiday at the same time.

After dinner and a chat about the next day's walks, a few women walked into Grasmere to end the evening with a drink, whilst others retired early after their long journey.

Slow High walk with Marcelle

Our first Slow High walk was up Helm Crag, walking along the ridge then returning down Steel Fell.

Despite a forecast of low cloud, rain & even thunderstorms, the Slow High walk set out from Glenthorne in good spirits.

A short yet steep climb brought us on top of Helm Crag.

We took it steady - everyone could go at their own pace.

On Gibson Knots we could look back along the ridge with Grasmere and even Lake Windermere in the distance.

At Calf Crag we followed the old fence line to Steel Fell.

Here we stopped to admire the far-reaching views.

We then descended into Greenburn with a short walk along a quiet lane bringing us back home.

Intermediate walk with Sue B

Meanwhile, the intermediate walk took route from Grasmere up the road to Redbank wood, up through the woods, then onto Loughrigg Terrace.

We walked round to the cave and to Jobsons Close and up the path taking us gradually up onto Loughrigg Fell.

Lunch time we sat with a wonderful view down to Loughrigg Tarn.

It was windy at the top so we went straight down and with plenty of time we decided to go up over Huntingstile Crag, underneath Down Crag and down Kelbarrow.

We then had a lovely stop at the Faeryland cafe by the lake and fed the swans. Soon we were back at Glenthorne for more tea and cake!

Slow High walk with Sue B.

Today we headed up Little Tongue Gill up to the Hause overlooking Grisedale Tarn.

There was a very cold north wind blowing as we then ascended the steep north side of Fairfield, at some point scrambling up eroded scree.

We found shelter at the top for lunch.

Then, with plenty of time on our side we did the ridge path, past Great Rigg and Heron Pike down to Rydal Mount, where we had tea at Rydal Hall.

Then we took the coffin route back along to Grasmere. A long and tiring, but exhilarating day.

Intermediate walk with Marcelle.

Meanwhile, the intermediate walk had been to Easedale Tarn, then up to Sargent Man, returning down the Blea Rigg ridge.

The weather forecast had improved - just a wind-chill of -2 Celsius at the level we were going to & northerly winds of 25-30 mph!

Undeterred, we set off up Easedale, following the waterfalls of Sourmilk Gill & stopping to admire the natural pools of crystal-clear water.

A little further on we arrived at Easedale Tarn for a well-earned break.

Our ascent onto Blea Rigg took us up some stony paths, soon leaving the Tarn below.

A final steep section brought us on to the ridge, with very rewarding views over to Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Pike O'Blisco, Lingmoor & beyond - a perfect place for lunch after our brief sojourn to Sergeant Man.

As we traversed Blea Rigg heading homewards, the clouds parted & we were bathed in welcome sunshine & fantastic views down on to Grasmere & Fairfield beyond.

A hop, skip & jump over the river brought us back to Glenthorne in time for tea & cake!

Slow High walk with Marcelle.

Today we tackled the Langdale Pikes from Great Langdale.

Parking at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, we ascended Stickle Ghyll to tickle Tarn.

A short, steep ascent soon found us atop Pavey Ark where we had lunch.

Carrying on to Pike O Stickle, the majority of us scrambled to the summit for the wonderful views in every direction.

Continuing over Martcrag Moor brought us to Stake Pass where we descended in to Mickleden.

As we walked down Mickleden valley we could see the the imposing outline of Pike O Stickle towering above us.

Intermediate walk with Sue

Meanwhile, the Intermediate walk was up Helm Crag and along the ridge to Gibsons Knott and Calf Crag.

We then dropped down into Far Easedale and enjoyed the easy descent along the stream.

At one point a little chaffinch blocked our way.

At the end of the valley we went into the Lancrigg Hotel for tea in their lovely garden. Rhododendrons gave spectacular colour everywhere.

Combined Int & Slow High walk with Marcelle & Sue.

Many women planned to have early starts home, so we did a combined Intermediate and Slow High to Alcock Tarn which would give us lovely views back to Helm Crag.

A steady ascent with lots of stops to admire the views over Grasmere village as well as encountering the 'locals' soon brought us to Alcock Tarn.

We sat for a good time at this lovely spot.

Our descent gave us ample opportunity to look down on Grasmere before veering off over White Moss and down to the Grasmere lake where we stopped for lunch.

As we walked back round the lake to Grasmere there were flowers everywhere - marsh marigolds, speedwell and wild garlic.

All too soon we were back at Glenthorne ready to start our various journeys home.