Patterdale to Haweswater – Play Misty for Me

It was cold and it rained and I felt like an actor. Thanks David. Then it stopped raining at around 3am and with a strong wind the tent dried out. I was fully dressed in my sleeping bag with my hat on so I was snug, but the wind made the tent shake and the noise made it difficult to sleep for long periods. The view from the tent was good.

The rain held off whilst I packed the tent away and I got a hot chocolate and bacon bap from the campsite. Warmed and positive I set off down the road a stretch and then up, and up to Hayeswater, high in the hills, and then up on to tops. The Knott stands at 2,400 feet, and you can see for miles from the summit…Knott!

The wind was wild on the top. My path joined an old Roman road, and what the bloody hell they were doing up here Jove only knows. The wind ripped the rain cover off my rucksack and it’s at around 15,000 feet now dodging planes. Luckily it didn’t rain for the rest of the walk. The High Street (Roman road) is on the edge of seriously steep drops, and with the wind I was glad when I turned off past Kidsty Pike, at nearly 2,600 feet high, and took a long descent down to Haweswater.

The route down was difficult in areas and I went a pisser but luckily didn’t bang my head or break any bones. Just injured pride and muddy legs. It’s easy to slip when the land is like this, and wet.

Looking back up the valley towards the peaks the view was dramatic.

At long last down by the lake the wind dropped and I was able to make decent time on the path round the north bank. Goodbye to the Lakes.

As I approached the bottom of the valley I heard a chirping in the trees. There were red squirrels warning each other of my approach. They looked great, and one held on a branch quite close until I got my iPad out for a photo and then buggered off before I could snap him. I got the sign though.

Today was 13 miles again, and worth every yard for a night with a roof over my head at the Crown and Mitre, Bampton Grange. The owners opened just for me, gave me solo access to the bar (which usually only opens at weekends) and they cooked me an evening meal. Great service. And a nice room too.

Night night.