Weekend Visitor

Reasons to go North began a few years ago as a FB album of photos called Reasons to Move North.  Trying to convince my very sceptical friends from the south, and myself, that moving up to this damp, rainy place really was a good idea.

Four years later I have absolutely no regrets and sceptical friends have ‘gotten’ used to the idea that it’s ok up here.

Especially when I entice them up on weekends as we have just had. Rain, what rain?   Three days of wall to wall sunshine with entertainment thrown in.

Great Tew (Cornbury) and Lowther (Kendal Calling) were pretty good festival settings but Keswick Mountain Festival backed by Derwent, Catbells and friends, rolled into the lead.

Throw in the zip wire, talks on the G20 and the entertainment of Sir Ranulph Fiennes,  a perfect day.

So for a walk.  Latterbarrow may not be the highest but it gave my friend more used to walking the Cotswolds a pretty good idea of what there is on offer.

Starting from Red Nab Windermere was at its most seductive.

Light filtered soft green as we headed partway up the old bridleway towards Hawkshead.

Narrowly avoiding the dragons of Scab Moss before taking a right towards Latterbarrow.

Commercial forestation makes this bit a little less attractive, but then you have to keep your wits about you to find the right track to Latterbarrow, which conveniently disappears from the horizon.  And yes, I did take a wrong turn.

But we did get there.  Lingering to eat lunch and play and spot the mountain,

with a little help from the map.

We dropped down Latterbarrow west towards Hawkshead, winding our way through tiny lanes,

rolling pasture and woodland to Outgate.

Where the pub was open.  Necessitating a refreshment break.

Blelham Tarn lived up to its name (Blue Pool) splashing contrast through the green landscape.

Wray Castle may not be exactly genuine, I can’t imagine planning permission being granted today, but it does look kind of grand.  There was pretty cool transport on offer too.

All that was left was a slight drop down to the lake, passing picnics and paddling along the shore back to Red Nab.

I last did this walk on a very cold January day, take a look here for a much more wintry experience.