Everyone arrived safely and after meeting for introductions, and to discuss plans for the following day we went to dinner. Both the lounge and the bar in the Langstrath Inn have log fires burning at this time of year, so some of us had a nightcap before bed.

Marian's group took a High Intermediate walk today.

The weather forecast is good for today so we set off to do a good days walking up onto Glaramara and then following the ridge south over Allen Crags into the Esk Hause area.

As we set off we found a horse to feed an apple to, and saw some Ravens on the ascent up Thorneythwaite fell.

Most of us took the rocky route up the front of Glaramara, though it is possible to avoid this by going round the side on a small path.

We got some good views as we progressed along the ridge to Allen Crags, and saw the Langdale pikes in the distance.

After having the rest of our lunch in a sheltered spot below Great End, we head down toward Seathwaite following the stony path by Grains Gill.

Sue P led the Intermediate Group. We decided to walk the High Spy - Maiden Moor ridge today as the forecast said the weather was set to worsen over the next few days.

We set off along the River Derwent and then turned up beside Tongue Gill,

through the old slate mines

and onto the saddle by Dale Head tarn.

It was cooler near the summit cairn but we managed to find shelter for a snack.

We then walked on along the splendid broad ridge for three kilometres, admiring the views over to Bassenthwaite, Skiddaw, Helvellyn and even across to Scafell Pike.

We descended into Grange village and had a well-earned cup of tea. Then some of the group caught the local bus back to Stonethwaite,

The evening was spent in front of the roaring log fire at the Langstrath Hotel.

Marian's Intermediate Group set off along side the beck down towards Langstrath and then up through the Borrowdale rainforest, the ancient woodland that covers the fell side below 300m.

As we reach the top we pass the waterfalls, and progress on to Dock tarn and down to Watendlath on the old bridleway.

Watendlath tearooms make a good elevenses stop, before following the river down past the Lodore falls.

It has been windy at the top and some of us feel cold, so we have another tea stop in the Borrowdale Hotel. They have an open fire and bring afternoon tea on a tray in a silver tea service, we all get thoroughly warmed up, and have a chat with the retired vicar of Borrowdale who just happens to be visiting the area.

As we pass through Grange, we meet up with the High intermediate group in the tearoom gardens overlooking the river Derwent.

Some women take the bus back to the Langstrath Inn from here, whilst the rest of us take the path through Low and High Hows woods beside the river, before returning to Stonethwaite via the Rosthwaite bridleway.

We had been kept awake by the wind howling down the valley during the night; the forecast was for a better morning with strong winds and rain coming over later in the afternoon. Sue P led the Intermediate Group, making their way up Greenup Gill while the going was good.

The walk up beside the stream was beautiful, we reached the moraine and turned up the hillside to Greenup Gap.

From here we climbed steadily upwards towards High Raise, stopping for lunch before we got into the wind.

The summit moor was very windy and the stone shelter served its purpose.

The views were obscured by low cloud and it began to rain as we made our way down the mountain, following the little-used right of way path beside the stream.

We reached the Stake Pass path, stopped for tea below a wonderful old tree and dropped down into the comparative shelter of the Langstrath valley.

From here it was a brisk walk back to welcome hot baths and food.

Sunday saw the Intermediate and High Intermediate groups combined. It is rather windy, and rain is forecast, so Marian & Sue P decide on a route that stays low whilst going up several smaller hills so we still get to do plenty of ups and downs with lots of variety.

It is still fine as we take the path through the woods and then strike up onto High Doat;

there are great views down the Seathwaite and Borrowdale valleys from here.

Our next ascent is onto Castle Crag, where we find a sheltered spot behind the summit to eat our lunch.

We head back down to the valley floor and follow the riverside path into Grange, as it is getting cooler and drizzling a little we stop in the tearooms for coffee and cake, before tackling the last hill of the day, Kings Howe.

We get up to the marsh just below the top of the Howe, but it becomes very windy and suddenly begins to rain hard.

The consensus is to skip visiting the top and head straight onto the descent path round the side of Jopplety Howe.

As we head downhill conditions improve, and we get to Rosthwaite just in time to catch the shop and buy weekend papers, so it is after 5pm when we arrive back in Stonethwaite.

A fierce storm blew up during the night and in the morning we found that the river had risen by several feet.

We said goodbye to half the group after breakfast as they left early to make their way home and then the rest of us went for a beautiful walk up the Langstrath valley.

The path was now a river but we had fun splashing our way up it and watching the sun glint off the water.

A new day was born as the Lake District spun its magic around us.