An eventful, memorable and arctic Spring week, spent at Hassness House with Ramblers and super co-leader Peter. We packed so much in that this post will be a bit longer than usual; go with it and keep on scrolling down.

Sunday, a select group of 3 walked into Rannerdale, around Crummock water and on to Scale Force, the highest waterfall in the Lakes. We loved the single holly tree in remote and silent Mosedale, such a singular landmark it’s even named on the OS map. The Kirkstile Inn in Loweswater made a great lunch stop, we were tempted by the ice cream in Buttermere, but cake was calling back at the house…..

Monday, with most of the wonderful walkers from Teeside, from Rosthwaite we climbed to Watendlath tarn. As we enjoyed hot drinks at the cafe the birds flocked in for cake crumbs, until a fierce fight developed when a magpie attacked. On through the ancient oak woods of Borrowdale, past the Galloway Belties (those cows with white belts) to another charming waterfall flowing out of a gorge carved through multi hued rock.

The cafe at Lodore had a great selection of children’s toys that, nostalgia getting the better of us, we just had to play with. Lovely views up to Skiddaw as we walked across the duck boards, on along the river Derwent back to Grange and Rosthwaite.

Tuesday, from the tiny hamlet of Stonethwaite, a real discovery of a new walk to us all, up the aptly named ‘long valley’ of Langstrath. Remote and with the beck trickling past, sometimes through little chasms, sometimes sweeping across wide, flat rocks, sometimes bubbling over the stones.

On to Blackmoss Pots (no skinny dipping today) then up over the grassy drumlins, through the great flocks of Herdwicks, to the magnificent glacial cirque. picnic lunch at the head of the valley, and a try out of the emergency shelter….little knowing it would be used in anger later.

Wednesday is our changeover day with new guests arriving, and I spend my leaders day off on Scafell Pike and taking a trip down memory lane in Wasdale. The pictures say it all.

Thursday we’re in for another adventure. With snow forecast for later in the afternoon, we play it safe and opt for an ‘easy’ version of Haystacks, starting at Honister pass. By the time we reached Inominate Tarn, it’s a blizzard, and once again the trusty group shelter is deployed.

The video clips show just how fierce it was…..

We sat drinking our coffee watching the snowflakes accumulate and bounce around on the orange surface of our cosy abode! Emerging, the world has turned white, the path fast disappearing, and we beat a hasty retreat, picking our way off path to avoid any steep descents. So glad to see Dubs Hut, a welcome mountain bothy, although I remain bemused by the vacuum cleaner we found in the corner of the bothy.

Back home a little early at 3.00, a few hardy souls joined me for a snowy walk around Buttermere, rewarded by the snow clearing and some magical evening light.

The evening also brings an inspiring and moving talk by Chris from Cockermouth Mountain Rescue.

Last day, Friday, packing it in, we repeat that Watendlath/Derwent water walk from Monday. It is a feature filled walk, check out my page on lichen if you recall me waxing lyrical.  Then farewell to another wonderful group, many are off to more adventures as far afield as Madagascar, Iceland and back home to Maine USA. Happy travels.