Sue Beardon and I, Sara, arrived at the lovely Glenthorne guest house in Grasmere to welcome the women onto the holiday as they arrived throughout the late afternoon and early evening.

After everyone had arrived and settled in, with some time to relax, we all enjoyed a delicious dinner served by the ever friendly and helpful Glenthorne staff.

Following dinner, we retired to the lounge and whilst being served tea and coffee, Sue and I had the opportunity to talk to the group about the routes for the following day and get to know each other better.

Sue had decided to guide the Intermediate, whilst I guided the Slow-High walk up Cotra Breast, across Steel Fell and returning along the ridge to Helm Crag and down.

The beginning of the day started cloudy and the going up Cotra Breast was made more challenging by the high gusts of wind, which on occasion saw some of the women crouching down to steady themselves.

Spirits were high as we made it to the top where we were rewarded with superb views down to Thirlmere.

After a group photo, we headed off across Steel Fell, stopping for the first lunch break sheltering out of the wind.

When the wind did drop, it felt even more calm and peaceful and also meant that we could hear each other speak.

After lunch we continued across to Calf Crag where we met the Helm Crag ridge.

After making the most of the views down Far Easedale Valley, we continued along this wonderful undulating ridge with great satisfaction that we were walking the opposite way to the crowds.

The weather although still blustery at times, remained dry. We enjoyed a second lunch stop, then completed the ridge over Helm Crag, and descended near to the Lancrigg woods.

Sue's Intermediate walk had meantime left Glenthorne's garden over the stile, and started up Silver How.

From their path, they had a great view back to Glenthorne surrounded by fields on three sides.

After a break on the top of Silver How, they then turned up the ridge past Lang How and Castle Crag to Blea Rigg.

This route gave them fine views over Grasmere as they first ascended, then views more over Elterwater and Easedale Tarn as they got higher. They could also see the Langdale Pikes.

After lunch just below Blea Rigg they descended to Easedale Tarn. At the foot of the tarn they crossed Sourmilk Gill and reached the path to Far Easedale.

It was as they ambled along the track towards Langcrigg that the Slow High group spotted them from the ridge above.

We all met up for tea at Lancrigg Hotel after a stroll through the woods along 'Poets Walk'. A great end to the day.

Unfortunately Sue left us early evening to join her yoga group up the road at Nab Cottage (an event planned well before taking over from Sue P).

That left the rest of us to enjoy another tasty evening meal, followed by a general chat and description of Sunday's routes for both the Intermediate and Slow-High levels.

Ali Brammel joined us for breakfast - a former WW guide who lives locally.

Ali was to lead the Slow-High walk up Helvellyn - as arranged between myself and the women - and I was to lead the Intermediate walk up Helm Crag, returning along Far Easedale.

There were several women who preferred to enjoy time to themselves, walking a more low level route around Grasmere and Rydal Water.

Some women needed to get away early - which left the walks with just 6 women each.

The Intermediate walk set off with me up the road from Glenthorne, which gave us a chance to warm up before beginning the ascent onto Helm Crag.

Despite some women voicing concerns about their ability, everyone went at their own pace and made it to the top to enjoy superb views across Grasmere and the surrounding mountains.

With barely a whisper of a breeze, we continued across the ridge stopping for a number of short breaks.

The decision was made to continue as planned to the end of Far Easedale and follow the path down the valley, giving us plenty of opportunity to admire our route.

There was a great feeling of self satisfaction and achievement within the group as we neared the end of the day, having seen just how much had been accomplished.

We arrived back at Glenthorne 10 minutes behind the estimated time of arrival, with the Slow-High group arriving shortly after us.

The Slow High walk with Ali had meanwhile set off up Green Tongue towards Helvellyn.

The sun and blue sky was a delight, and they stopped for lunch just below Grisedale Hause out of the bitter east wind that was blowing.

The direct route up Dollywagon had looked dramatically huge from the far side of the tarn, but most of the group were amazed at how easily and quickly the steep uphill was gained.

One member of the group had been convinced she'd be at the back all the way, but found that talking whilst walking really upped her pace!

The reward for all that uphill was the easy, motorway-like path along the ridge to the summit of Helvellyn.

Cloud was filling in and they could just make out people silhouetted along Striding Edge.

In the four wall shelter there was still a significant amount of snow taking up the seating. They hid there from the wind to finish their packed lunches.

They had all their layers on and Gaynors' borrowed sit mat took a flight down to Thirlmere in the wild wind.

Their return route took them down Lower Man along a good stepped path. The clouds seemed to promise imminent rain.

At the bottom it was delightful to get out of the wind but not sufficiently warm for an ice cream from the van in the layby!

Back at Glenthorne, both groups had enjoyed their day and finished the weekend with smiley faces. Tea and coffee and use of the facilities were on offer before bidding farewells and beginning our journey home.