My recent 2 and half week holidays in the UK was spent 10D 9N camping in the Lake District. We got few days rain and several days sunny 
, I supposed that's the best way to describe the weather in Lake District. Our first camp site was Coniston Hall (Coniston), followed by Side Farm (Patterdal village) and Syke Farm, Buttermere. That was my FIRST camping experience (never gone camping before even in my country. lol), but despites of few nights of heavy rain and wind, I enjoyed it very much.
We managed several hikes/walks but stilll missed Striding Edge which was one of my original plan 
. But never mind, that just meant that I have to come back to the Lake District. Here, I am sharing with you our walk/hike to the Red Pike.
1. We started our walk from our camp site and passing the fell nearby Crumock Water.
2. Panorama view of Crumock Water. If you click at the photo and open the original size, you can see Buttermere at the far right end.
3. Yes, that's me listening to the nature :)
4. We passed by a waterfall,Scale Force.
5. Breathtaking view - Crumock Water in the middle.
6. Yes, that's my tour guide cum my walking partner cum the love of my life :)
7. That's how far I was left behind by my tour guide. Next walk, I shall fire him!
8. Another waterfall from where we took a rest.
9. I was exhausted! We have NOT reached Red Pike!
10. But we have to continue our walk. Herb looking towards Red Pike.
11. Red Pike, so close yet so far :)
12. Still can't resist taking photos :)
13. Finally, we reached the peak of Red Pike after dragging my feet and lots of encouragement that Herb has to give me. lol
14. H resting and eating cheese.
15. Me, resting 
16. Looking down, the Buttermere and Bleaberry Tarn.
17. Of course we have to leave, before it started raining. Herb decending Red Pike.
18. Negotiating my steps while decending Red Pike.
19. Leaving Red Pike behind. 
Great photos Larra ~ they make me want to get back to the Lake District as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteWhat sort of tent did you use ~ was it one you carried in or did you take it in the car. I am hoping to do some camping, to save costs, and need a bit more idea.
Incidentally can I recmmend this blog to some of my friends ? Or is it private ?
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlie! Yes, I think you should re-visit LD as soon as possible ;) . I told Herb that if I live in the UK, at least once a month I'll go to the Lake Districts. :) And when we were at the Peak District, I told him that if I live in Stockport, I'll drive out everyweekend for a walk in that area. lol. Your country has such a wonderful places for walkers. :)
ReplyDeleteWe took our tent in the car, it's for 2 people tent (if you want to know detai spec about that tent, I can ask Herb). The tent wasn't so bulky but it's the sleeping bags. Herb was afraid that I would be cold at night so we bought the one that can keep me warm and it wasn't suitable for hiking :). But we also got some idea - after looking at those single person tent at the camp site. Maybe next time we shall also consider this kind of tent and each of us can carry ours and camp whenever we wanted to :). When we were decending Red Pike we met a guy who told us that he will be camping at the Bleaberry tarn that night (alone).
Sure you can Charlie :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great photo expose. Nice that you can remember the trip through pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Lud! One of the reasons I like taking photos because each and every photo that was captured has its own story. (there are photos the were taken when I was in the mood the kill Herb. lol). Some peoples are blessed with words, I guess I am blessed with photos. :) . Thanks for visiting. How have you been doing this summer?
ReplyDeleteCharlie, it was good value 3 person tent, which made it usable by 2 people with clothes and things alongside each side of the beds.
ReplyDeleteVango Beta 350 - as good a tent as I would have paid £300 for 15 years ago, it can be bought for as little as £75 online.
The front end of the tent where 3 people would need to store all their gear, was where we stored (when not in use) our cooking equipment, food, condiments,waterproofs, boots, table and chairs.
We had considered wild camping on top of Haystacks on Midsummers eve to see the sunset over the solway, but being cloudy, wet and windy we refrained from that testing experience. The tent is too heavy to be considered by backpackers, even though we contemplated cheating by parking on top of honister.
All in all, great value, but we were not able to stand up in the tent, so ifit rains a lot (as it did for us) and if one is old and arthritic (as I am) we would go for a taller more spacious tent next time.
We're spoilt for choice Larra.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I will take my tent in the car too. That is if I get one ... thank you for the information though.
ReplyDeleteThanks ... I will.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know the make Herb. There's usually a couple of camping shows in the fields hereabouts in summer [I've just missed one] so I will take a look to see what I think of them.
ReplyDeleteI assume it was easy to put up ?
Yes, I can see that being a problem for me. I'm not one for crouching or sitting cross legged ... I would need a chair !
ReplyDeleteCharlie, it was easy to put up threading the poles is easier if 2 people are working together.
ReplyDeleteFirst erection, reading the sewn in instructions and Larra following my instructions as she wondered at it all - took us 45 minutes - then another 10 wondering how the sliders on the guy ropes worked in order to lock them tight.
2nd and 3rd Camp sites it was all up in 25 minutes. Then a bit longer to pump up the airbed, unpack the sleeping bags and put all our ware4house contents from the boot into the storage area.
If you leave enough space there is ample headroom to sit in chairs inside the living area.
In Hawkshead Decent chairs were £25 for 2, in Ambleside the same Chairs were £18 for 2 so we bought a couple (my antique camping chairs were metal tube affairs with a little rust and i was afraid they might give way under my 16stone.
In Keswick the same chairs were £14 for 2 in 1 shop and £12 for 2 in another ???
Charlie recommended I look in, Larra. Glad I did. Lovely photographs! I spent a week in Buttermere last year. We had a lovely walk over Haystacks the first day. But that night it suddenly snowed and we had to stay at cut any more climbing!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome here anytime! :) Thank you for your visit. There are so many great places fro walkers around Buttermere. :) I have not been to Haystacks, I bet it's beautiful. We did plan to camp at Haystack on mid-summer night, to watch sunset. But due to bad weather, that has to be postponed to another year :D
ReplyDeleteI've seen mention of some very easy to rect tents although I have to admit I didn't take as much notice as I could have done. Thanks for mentioning that there's enough space for chairs.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem that I need to get along to a camping show. Thanks for your commnts Herb ~ they're much appreciated.