Go Ape weekend - walkers' version

[Kevwalking]

To complement Tony's weekend of cycling and Go Ape I arranged walks from Coniston. Big mistake. Not the Coniston bit, or the walk bit particularly. Nope. The big mistake was venturing outdoors this weekend at all. We (Pete, Sheila and Trish) parked at the foot of the Walna Scar Road and got out of the car. At which point it started to rain. And it rained. And it rained. We walked up the 'tourist' route to the top of the Old Man, at which point the wind came to play along with the rain. And we were soaked through to our... well, I'll leave that bit to your imagination. Leaving the top of the Old Man to descend to Goat's Hause for a quick escape back to the car the wind dropped and the rain eased, so I changed the plans slightly (I know, not like me at all). We set off over Brim Fell to Swirl How. Halfway there it really started to rain, and the gale force wind joined in. We decided enough was enough so returned over the Old Man heading for the car. 50 metres back down the tourist route the rain stopped and the wind died down and the clouds parted to give us a view. Not fancying a third trip over the Old Man we continued back to the car in fine weather, until the last few minutes when the weather decided we were looking all together too comfortable and it rained - hard - again.

We then went and sat in Jay and Angie's caravan and Angie - bless her - made us a brew!

Sunday should have been a repeat visit to Coniston, but as all of those walking (Pete, Sheila, Suzanne and Trish) wanted something a little further south we eventually headed to Abbeystead with the aim of climbing Ward Stone. Guess what? It rained!! So we did a quick circuit of the Wyre Way in that area and then went for a cream tea.

Wettest weekend I can remember for a long time. But we still had fun, and are continuing to have fun trying to dry wet rucksacks, waterproofs, trousers, tops etc.

Tony - I know you had a 'damp' day on Saturday. I hope that Sunday was better for the Apers.

Kev

[Peter Perfect]

A big thanks to both Kevin and Trish because in spite of the conditions we had a really great weekend. WET!!! I was wet in places no man should be....yes my boots... and other places. Sheila was so pleased to get on top of the Old Man twice in one day she nearly bought me a drink to celebrate ;-). Also a great big thank you to Angela and Jay, never before has a cup of tea tasted so good.

It was also good to meet up with Tony, Suzanne and Carol once again.

Pete & Sheila

[RedMiniSuzy (Sue)]

Well! Where shall I begin? On Saturday we got up bright and early and headed off to Hawkshead. We got to the Ferry and found it wasn't working, so we drove down to Newby Bridge to go round the lake. On the way we nearly got Malcolm's car smashed up by a loony woman (sorry it was a woman) and she was loony. We safely arrived at the visitor centre in Hawkshead to only find out that the Go Ape was on SUNDAY!!

It wasn't meant to be. We met up with the bikers and had copious amounts of coffee and said there was no way we were walking, cycling in "that rain". So headed off to Ambleside for a nice lunch and a bit of retail therapy.

The sun started to shine after lunch and it turned into a nice afternoon. Sunday we decided to play safe, stay at home do the garden and enjoy the lovely sunny autumn day. Who said it rained on Sunday?

So disappointed to miss the Go Ape. Another time I think. Nice to see everyone though and I thought you were all very heroic setting off on your bikes in all that rain.

Sue

[Kevwalking]

I said it rained 'cos it did. Hard. On us!! Next time we will come and help you in the garden (but only if you provide the tea and biccies)

Kev