We had a morning of getting our heads around maps and all their detail - scales, symbols, features, grid references, estimating time, etc.

Then we were glad to get out on a walk in beautiful autumn weather over to Langdale.

From there we walked from Skelwith Bridge to Colwith Force, via Slater Bridge, and enjoyed atmospheric views of Little Langdale Tarn.

Along the way we took turns, in pairs, to lead the group to the next point on the map.

Over to Chapel Stile by the quarries (avoiding the Wainwrights pub) and back past Elterwater along the river. An early night for many after long tiring journeys.

Finally today we got our hands on the compasses. In Glenthorne's garden we practiced walking on bearings, as well as measuring our paces, and timing how fast we were walking.

These are all useful techniques for keeping track of how far one has walked in reduced visibility.

We then headed out onto the fell. The long steep pull up onto the ridge above Glenthorne got us puffing and panting (but we always knew exactly where we were.....).

The thick mist made the navigation practice very real, but Hey Presto it works ! and you can find tarns, sheepfolds, crags, knolls and stream junctions by following a bearing for so many metres.

Our route back took us down off the ridge by Blind Moss Tarn and the Easdale path.

We rushed back just in time for tea and cakes at Glenthorne. Before dinner we had a short map reading session, planning the final day's walk.

The evening was spent watching rugby for some (with Yvonne supporting the French just to be different) or else playing scrabble.

Off up to Easdale Tarn to put it all into practice and for everyone to concentrate on whatever they chose to work on.

Above the tarn we practiced 'off piste' navigation across Grasmere Common and then took the route back down Far Easdale. We got back to Glenthorne in good time before last goodbyes and our journeys home.