East Lancs Summer Weekend


Don't they scrub up well? Viv Celebrates
Eskdale Green - 30 July to 4 August 2009

With a weather forecast about as poor as is possible (even for the north west) 9 of us got to together for a weekend of walking in this beautiful part of the western lakes. The accommodation was baronial in scale, being one wing of a restored stately home with extensive grounds and very well appointed and equipped. The break was timed to coincide with Viv’s official retirement, an event duly celebrated with strawberries and champagne.

We arrived on Thursday and Friday and fitted in three excellent walks.

Despite the forecast it remained very largely dry, if a little wet under foot in places. Friday’s outing took in the immediate surroundings; over Muncaster Fell to pick up the Cumbrian Coastal Way below Muncaster Castle, around the headland and over the estuary to Ravenglass and then the plan was for a ride home on the Ratty Line. However, when we arrived on the platform and checked the timetable it would have meant a 50 minute wait - just time for an ice cream, you would have thought, but, no, the promised treat was withdrawn and we walked home instead!

On Saturday, the rain stopped by breakfast time, and we split into several groups. We had decided that Black Combe would be a good choice for walking as the weather was clearing from the west and we enjoyed an excellent hill climb with some spectacular views over the sea in the morning and were only troubled with the occasional patch of low cloud.



Sunday produced the best days walking; we again set out from the door and on a clear warm day climbed Irton Pike, from the top of which there was a panoramic view of Wastwater with the high fells behind, including our afternoon challenge of Scafell, with only the minor inconvenience of a drop to the valley floor before we could begin the ascent, which was a challenge for at least one of the party. From the summit we descended to Burnmoor Tarn and then along the Mitre valley to Eskdale and home. This return to civilisation and well kept ale (not to mention a prebooked evening meal) was conducted at a pace that would have kept a smile on the face of a sergeant major with toothache, but we made it back in time to relax with the rest of the group.

This was an excellent weekend and all credit to Viv who made all the arrangements.
Splendid Irton Hall
Out in the Countryside Which Way?????