Buttermere Circuit

Our last full day in the area and we thought we really ought to walk around the lake.  After almost a full week of rain, the morning looked promising.  Icy wind but fine.

We headed down to the lake, but somehow managed to corner some sheep.  We pulled ourselves over to one side though and they came rushing past - looking a little frightened!

DS3 climbed up and unlocked the gate - then pushed it open (with him on it) to let us all through.  Quite an ingenious way for a little person to do the job, although maybe not quite complying with the countryside code.  We did close it again afterwards, with DS on the right side.

View back towards the cottage - on the left.

DS3 full of enthusiasm

The outward leg was a lot of fun.  We observed the spray whipped up on the lake by the powerful wind.  Keeping the boys out of the lake was a job in itself.  Wellies were a mistake! The terrain was not quite Virginia Water!  I was the only one in hiking boots and was very glad of them.  

Loving the wind

As we reached the top end of the lake and Gatesgarth Farm, the weather started to turn.  The farmer was herding his sheep back into the field.  With some sun and my proper camera, I think these sheep would have made a good picture.

The wind, rain and hail battered us along the return leg. With freezing faces and hungry bellies, we found a spot under some trees with a couple of rocks for the boys to sit on, grabbed our lunch and quickly moved on.  Continuing with heads down, pushing on into the hail, we came to another wooded area and the boys were both getting very cold.  They put on their extra layers which they'd been carrying in their bags.  Eventually I gave my gillet to DS3 who was almost ready to give up by this stage.  The gillet soaked straight though, and wearing my hat too, passers by mistook him for a girl.  Luckily, he didn't hear!

Almost done - and soaked through!

We reached the home end of the lake and somehow the boys summoned up one last burst of energy for a paddle in the field (which was a lake itself by now) and some stone skimming.  Then finally back to the cottage for a change of clothes and a hot drink!

I don't think we've ever suffered so much with the cold and wet.  Our waterproofs were well and truly tested.  We were thankful to finally be cosy and warm, but so glad we'd made the most of our last day.  Lessons I've learnt - Wellies are not for long walks - take plenty of extra layers and gloves.  You can't predict what the sky will throw at you - especially in Cumbria!