Catbells

Today we are attempting the Catbells walk, beside Derwent Water, not far from Keswick.  All thirteen of us, including a four year old.   We have checked the map, and description of the walk and it is definitely suitable for young children, and the not so young.   

But first a check in the lounge room, and yes Easter Bunny has left a huge pile of goodies, and some for Oma and Opa too.   Lucky us.  And Easter Bunny has also left a cactus plant for Jackson.   A very inventive Easter Bunny.

So with plenty of chocolate in our stomachs, and some in our ruck sacks for later, we set off for Catbells.  The volume of traffic was considerable, including some interesting farm tractors.   This one had a large bale of hay on the front as well as the back.   At least it was balanced.  And the clouds were almost on the ground.  

When we arrived we found that the car parks were full to overflowing.   Everyone was out walking, or so it seemed.  We were lucky to find a park, perhaps not ideal as far as the farmer was concerned, as it was beside a farm gate.

So off we went, and joined the stream of walkers heading towards the top.   At this point the walk looked fairly innocuous.

And the view over Derwent Water, very picturesque, and mysterious with the low cloud.

But what is this ahead.   A bank of slippery rocks, and people trying to negotiate them, or walk around them.  And it is all very slippery.

I will admit that I was terrified.   I have not walked up anything but minor hills for some time and here I was trying to clamber up slippery rocks, with the help of Steve and some other kind walkers.  But I managed, just.   As I was catching my breathe, the others started to walk back down towards me and said it was just too dangerous for young children.   The wind was freezing and the clouds were obstructing the peak.   So we then had to negotiate the slippery rocks again, going downhill this time, which was worse than going uphill.                                

At last it is lunch time, by the shore of Derwent Water.  Part of Catbells can be seen through the trees.   Very pleasant sitting by the water.   Much better than scrambling over rocks, and wondering if you are going to get blown off the peak.   What about the other hundred or so people who carried on walking up the hill, they must be made of sterner stuff than us.

Oh dear, it looks as if I have had a problem with mud.  Sliding over?   Maybe.   No one else has muddy trousers.

The children throwing stones into the lake.   A child's pastime.

And time to get the camera out.   Emma preparing to take some perfect pictures.   And she does too.

Walter looking relaxed, or relieved that he survived the attempted walk up Catbells.

And there is always another walk, another day.   And the rain is holding off so far.  Cold but beautiful.