Ullwater Way - Day 2

Distance: 12 miles
Ascent: 400m
Weather: overcast
Cormorants, swans, dipper
Harebells,  heather
Midges: plenty

We caught the early steamer to Pooley Bridge today to do the second leg of the Ullswater Way, along the north western side of the lake. The paths on this side are much newer, through (ed- wet and boggy) farmland and forestry to Aira Force.  We took the terrace path around the edge of Gowbarrow Fell, stopping for lunch (massive slabs of tiffin!) at the stone bench, and also applied some insect repellant.

It was cloudier than yesterday, a little drizzly at times, but no where near as bad as the forecast had suggested, and this side of the lake is definitely less popular than the other, so we saw a lot fewer people than yesterday.  Until we arrived at Aira Force. It was heaving. The recent rain made the falls impressive, and the stones slippy.

From Aira Force to Glenridding there is now a nice new gravel footpath off the road, mostly, with footbridges and view points over the lake.

We arrived back at the hotel at about 4pm, celebrating with a couple of pints of Lakeland Golden Ale by the Bitter End brewery in Cockermouth.

Ullswater Way - Day 1

Distance: 12.5 miles
Ascent: 500m
Weather: hot and sunny
Cormorants, mallards, honky geese, black backed gull, greenfinch, damselflies
Competitive dad: 1
"Fun" dad: 1
Bottoms: 2
Midges, lots of midges
Squeaky thing: squeaking

We caught the earliest ferry at 9:45 to Pooley Bridge, calling at Howtown to pick up some midges. Lunch and insect repellant was purchased in town and a quick decision made as to which direction we would walk the first section. We decided the along the south eastern side today, for no particular reason.

It was warm and sunny, becoming hotter later and quite busy. We stopped for lunch on a rocky outcrop, with fine views over the lake.

Being a bank holiday, there were a lot of people out walking, mountain biking and kayaking. People were as people are.

We stopped to investigate a brown squeaky mammal (probably a mouse) in the bracken, and had some close encounters with a damselfly and a bee.

We are staying at the Patterdale Hotel, and had a sit in the beer garden with a couple of pints on our return.