The Howe Keld Hotel has recently been completely refurbished to a very high standard and in addition to its superb location overlooking Cat Bells and Causey Pike and the excellent hospitality of David and Valerie it boded well for a wonderful WW weekend.

All the group arrived during the afternoon and we all met up at 17.00 to discuss the arrangements for the next few days.

Everyone was enthusiastic about arranging an evening at the Theatre by the Lake for Monday night so we rushed off to sort out tickets.

Later we all ate at the Packhorse Inn. The food was excellent as always and the waitress warmed to us as the evening progressed.

Afterwards some went for an early night and others sat and talked for a while in the lounge.

After a leisurely breakfast comprising mainly local produce and Fair Trade products which was both plentiful and extremely appetising we set off to walk along the East shore of Derwentwater.

The weather was grey and showery but soon cleared and on reaching Nichol End we abandoned our waterproofs for the rest of the day.

We had a leisurely lunch by High Brandlehow beach and then continued on to Grange for tea and cakes.

Most of the group returned by open topped bus to Keswick but 4 carried on for an extra 2 miles following the river Derwent up the valley to Rosthwaite where we met up with a lot of runners in a local fell race. The village was buzzing.

That evening we ate at Lucca's Italian restaurant.

The weather looked threatening but all it amounted to was an odd bit of drizzle and several changes of clothes during the morning.

Our first challenge was a short climb up to Castlehead to take in the wonderful views of Derwentwater.

Then we we took a more leisurely ascent up to Castlerigg Stone Circle where we had lunch and took in the atmosphere of the place surrounded by magnificent mountains like Blencathra and Skiddaw.

We then followed the old railway track back along the River Greta to Keswick in beautiful sunshine.

In the evening some went to the Pheasant to eat whilst others chose to visit the cinema or the music festival at the Theatre by the Lake.

Today the weather was suberb and we set off on the 1000 launch for Ashness Landing.

We then walked up the lane to the beautiful packhorse bridge at Ashness and on to Surprise view for wonderful views over Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake.

We had a break at the bridge over Watendlath Beck and made our way up to Watendlath for a leisurely sunbathe, tea and cakes and lunch by the tarn.

After lunch there was a short but steep climb out of the valley, which everyone managed with no problems because they had all improved their fitness over the last few days.

This wonderful bridle path has stunning views over Borrowdale. We followed it down to Rosthwaite where 7 of the group caught the bus back to Keswick, and 4 of us carried on up the valley for 1 ½ miles to Seatoller.

In the evening we had fish and chips in town and then went to the Theatre by the Lake to see 'The Lady in the Van'. An excellent day.

We woke to another wonderfully clear day, yet not too hot for walking.

We said goodbye to Alison after breakfast who had a sore knee and needed to get an early start home.

We set off to walk along the West side of the lake to Lodore waterfall.

We stopped at Friars Crag and had elevenses near Ashness Landing where we were mobbed by over friendly ducks.

After taking in the waterfall that was rather hidden by the trees, we had drinks at Lodore Hotel before catching the launch back to Keswick.

Most people said their goodbyes but 3 were lucky enough to be staying on for another night and were intending to go on the evening launch around the lake and also do a spot of canoeing in the afternoon!