Around Loughrigg

Distance: 11.3 miles
Ascent: 600m
Weather: cold and clear
1 Splinter
Lots: Robins and buzzards (possibly in cahoots)

We went up Loughrigg by Fox Ghyll as we've not been that way before. It was quite icy and the ground was hard underfoot.

We bimbled around the fringes of the fell, enjoying the peace and quiet and views over to Fairfield and Skiddaw in the distance with snowy tops. Eventually we got nearer the top and into the crowds, stopping for lunch in a sheltered spot just under the summit, where we had a steady update on Molly* the dog's location.

We descended via the bridleway towards Loughrigg Tarn, and then visited our arboretum again. It was dusk as we arrived at the shoreline of Grasmere,  and a thin moon and Venus were clearly visible above the trees. The stones along the River Rothay were quite icy slippy, and led to a lad taking a tumble, he was unhurt just a little embarrassed,  and now I remember I said we saw nothing.  So that didn't happen.

The corpse road was very quiet, as was the lane from Rydal Hall. We met a chap who made the mistake of asking me what star is that?... while pointing at Venus.

We walked back into Ambleside along the road, passing the queue of cars trying to get through town. We are now at the White Lion pub, where they appear to be running out of food.

*names have been changed to protect the innocent