Allerdale Ramble Nov 2011


11 of us have really enjoyed this, the third of our 2011 Tripple A challenge.

Having tackled Allendale (St Isaac's Tea Trail) and Annandale (Moffat to Annan) earlier in the year, we had just to complete the Allerdale Ramble to get our tripple.

All Set - Ready to Start the Allerdale Ramble

We were blessed with absolutely amazing weather as you can see, for November.  With great accommodation along the way, and good food, we had all the right ingredients for a great weekend.  On day two, the weather was so good that we split into an A group (tackling Skiddaw) and a B group (sticking to the lower level routes).  The B group still had a challenge or two, with a bit of effort needed to keep your chin off the floor as we climbed up through Dodd Wood.  This was made up for by a visit to the Dodd Wood tea shop, where a children's birthday party for a six year old seemed to be at just the right level for our group.  I think we joined in more than the children.  Meanwhile, the A group had clear views for miles and miles from the shoulder and top of Skiddaw before a finish in the dark to get into Cockermouth for the bus home.

The coastal walk from Maryport up to Silloth is a real gem - and on such a clear cold morning the sea looked like something from frozen Norway to me.  The Solway is internationally important for migrating birds, and we could see why with flocks out on the edge of the water and flying overhead. Allonby is also internationally important for it's campers - and had all the facilities we needed including superb home made chips.  It was worth being caught out on the sands in the dark just for those!

The final day saw us out to Grune Point and back, a short chilly morning walk before the mini bus took us back to Keswick.  The clouds were just coming in as we drove home - always a sign of lucky planning! 

Well done to:  Ron Smith, Ann Smith, Jeanette Howard, Ian Scott and Nicky Wood for completing all three walks this year.