Although the weather that greeted us this morning was overcast and miserable we had planned to do a walk no matter what!
After breakfast we made up a packed lunch which consisted of rolls, fruit, cereal bar and a flask of coffee each. We packed our rucksacks with all that you need for a days walking up here in The Lakes apart from our waterproofs as we were wearing them
This was the first walk for Angela in her newly acquired shiny, mud free boots…….but not for long in this weather.
We had done this walk before so did not need to take the map with us (just as well as I had left them at home)! I do have with me though my GPS device (Garmin Oregon 10) with the maps on and on my laptop I also have all the maps for the whole of the UK. Not cheap so it is about time I begin to use them.
Once out of the town centre of Keswick we headed for the disused railway line which was thriving during the Industrial Revolution as this area was where the bobbins were made for the UK and other parts of the world. The railway itself ceased in the early 1970’s and now it is a wonderful 4 mile long foot/cycle path which begins at the Old Railway Station. The building and platform can still be seen and gives good impression of what it must have been like in its heyday. Keswick Railway Walk
Halfway between Keswick and Threlkeld Station we turned off to the right following a footpath signed Castlerigg Stone Circle which takes you uphill for a few hundred meters before you go through a tunnel under the A66. You then pick up a minor road for a while and after you pass the climbing wall and pottery building the Stone Circle on the left.
There are a few parking places opposite which at this time of year is not too busy but in the height of the summer I should imagine it being pretty hard to park. Even though it is still winter we were amazed to see the local ice cream van from Keswick (Tony Luchini) selling his wares.
We had our lunch inside the stone circle (no rain!) during which a few people arrived in their cars came to look around, took some pictures and went. Also the odd walkers came and did the same.
One of the good things I like in particular about travelling out of season and especially here in The Lake District is that you can have these little gems all to yourself which is great when taking pictures because as I said in the height of the summer this place is like Oxford Street, London! (Maybe a slight exaggeration but you get the message).
So with after our lunch and a hot nice coffee we discussed which way to return. Back the way we came which is the prettiest or the shorter route which was out of the main entrance to the stone circle and turn right and this road leads all the way back down into Keswick?
We opted for the shorter route as we wanted to get back for the England, Wales rugby match and we were back in the town centre in no time.
Once back we both had a shower before getting changed and off we went to Casas Sports Bar for the rugby on a big screen, a few beers and a good atmosphere with a bit of banter. We had all of those but there was one man who spoiled it a bit and got a bit overexcited at the possibility of a brawl between two players. He began jumping and throwing his arms around almost knocking a women next to us at which point her partner had a word but the man got a bit touchy.
Apart from that incident (and the result!) we had a good laugh and really enjoyed it as we had not been to watch a game in a pub on a big screen for ages.
After all that excitement we headed back to the van for a great big ploughman’s with the ingredients we got from the supermarket earlier
a good end to a great day.
