A meditation on "Is life too short for tea and cake?"

On arrival at Glenthorne Lodge, I asked for a printout of the mountain weather for the next few days, and instantly regretted it, it looked pretty grim!

However, the best day looked like it was going to be the Tuesday, so we planned to build ourselves up for some High level views for then!

The food, as usual, was great, and conversation flowed, so all set for a great holiday, whatever the weather!

Sunday dawned wet and gloomy looking, but spirits were high.

By the time we started off up Helm Crag, there were bright spells in between the fine showers, and grand views opened up for us along the ridge.

Two of our party, who know the area well, and wanted to take it a bit easier on the first day, branched off down Far Easedale Ghyll, and the legendary Lancrigg Hotel, for tea and cakes.

The rest of us continued up to High Raise and down the ridge into Easedale Tarn, where the sky began to lift, revealing the Langdales, Coniston, the Old Man, and even the coast.

By the time we got down to the tarn, we were feeding the ducks in brilliant sunshine.

This more than compensated for the fact that we missed Glenthorne tea and cakes, and set a president for the rest of the holiday!

Monday was supposed to be the worse day for persistent rain, but it started with bright sunshine.

By the time we'd toiled our way up to Stone Arther, well on our way to a great day for Fairfield, the suntan cream was out.

We continued to be rewarded with fine views of the whole of the Lake District fells. And there were relatively not that many people on the tops as well.

The view down the perfect valley of Scandale was stunning, making worthwhile the extra distance to complete the whole Fairfield Horseshoe.

From the summit of Fairfield we walked over Hart Crag, then Dove crag, and down the long descent ridge to High Pike and Low Pike.

The entire round is a good twelve miles with a short scramble over High Pike.

In spite of the intentions from the faster members, Glenthorne tea and cakes seemed to be slipping from view!

We worked as a team to get safely down the small "Mouvais Pas", managed to buy come cans of drink from the closing café at Rydal Hall, and enjoyed the Coffin Trail in perfect late afternoon sun.

That evening, some impressive blisters were examined and treated, but there was energy for some fierce card playing by some.

Anita (there were 3 Anitas on this trip, which made learning names much easier!) taught us how to play "Newmarket", but no money was parted with, only Scrabble pieces!

Tuesday was set for Hellvellyn, but it was a somewhat diminished group as 3 women opted for a rest day and some opted for "Extreme Shopping".

The rest of us shuttled cars between The Kings Head at Thirlspot, our finish point, and The Travellers Rest, at the start of Little Tongue Gill.

The relatively bright start gave way to a steady fine rain, but the team were going well and strong, stopping for Elevenses at Grizedale Tarn, before tackling the zig zags up to Dollywagon Pike.

Although a bit drizzly, we again had fantastic views down to Patterdale, St Sunday Crag, and the Edges of Striding and Swirrel.

Lunch on High Crags was our climax, before the mist and the rain set in.

By the time we got to Hellvellyn summit, we couldn't see much, and agreed to beat a relatively fast retreat down to Thirlmere.

Due to Janines excellent negotiation skills, on return to Glenthorne, the reluctant receptionist retrieved our well earned cake, which had been taken away 15 minutes earlier… A fine effort!

In the evening after another delicious supper, there were more games and conversations in the lounge.

Our final day was a chance for new gortex boots to be tested to the limit!

We had a wet walk around the Tarns of Grasmere and Rydal, more wonderful conversations, and an overwhelming feeling of friendship and cameraderie.