We try to take a few photos from as many of our walks as we can. You can view a collection of new and old pictures here.

This year’s Autumn trip started on a damp Sunday morning with our bus picking up the 49 members at various stops from Hilltown to Belfast in time to board the 0730 ferry to Cairnryan. Unfortunately the boat was unserviceable and we had to join the 1130 sailing which was very busy.  The coach journey to Keswick was uneventful and included a very welcome stop at The Inn on the Lough for coffee and scones.   We arrived at the Keswick Country House Hotel in time to get our rooms, have a briefing on the next day’s walk from William Mitchell and assemble for an excellent dinner.

Monday started with a great breakfast and transport of all grades of walkers to Honister Slate Mine in minibuses.  In spite of the doubtful weather forecast from the previous week the day was bright and clear although the heavy overnight rain made the stepping stones a bit tricky on one part of the route.

All 3 grades were walking towards Hay Stacks mountain, initially along the dismantled tramway and past Little Round How. 

The T grade followed this route as far as Innominate Tarn where they had a very picturesque lunch before returning to the Slate Mine from their 6.5 km, 4 hour walk.

The C grade walk extended this route to the top of Hay Stacks and returned past Great Round Howe, Hopper Quarry and Fleetwith on a 9.7km  4h40 route.  This walk was expertly led by one of our new leaders, Vanessa Drew, on her first away trip lead.

The C plus walk extended this a little further taking in Brandreth and beyond on their return route to end a very enjoyable 10.5km, 5 ½ hour walk.

All three walks had fantastic scenic views along their walks which displayed the scale and beauty of Lakeland fully in the fine weather.  The coffee shop and slate mine shop did good business as each group returned from their walk and then the minibuses delivered them back to the hotel.  Everyone agreed that they had enjoyed their walks, the scenery and the mighty craic.

Following a short briefing describing the next day’s walks we again had an excellent and well-earned dinner with lively conversation on the day’s adventures.   

Tuesday weather was clear and sunny and after another mighty breakfast the T and C grades set off at 0900 from the hotel and walked through the town and along the Cumbrian Way around the top of Derwent Water.

The T group went on to the base of Cat Bells and after lunch went to a landing stage on Derwent water for a ‘cruise’ home.  Their walk was about 7km and took 3 ½ hours plus ½ hour in the ferry boat.

The C group extended this route over the top of Cat Bells and had lunch there with magnificent views all around the lakes.  They then descended to Hause G and to Manesty Park where they took the ferry back to Keswick.  Their walk was 10 ½ km and took 4 ½ hours plus ½ hour on the ferry.

Both these groups arrived back in Keswick in time for a bit of shopping before dinner.

The 8 members of the C plus/B group set off in a minibus to start their walk from Seathwaite.  It was a challenging walk along the ‘corridor’ route to Scafell Pike which is the highest mountain in England.  Their route took them to Stockley Bridge and then on to Sty head where they started the corridor route to Lingmell Coll and on to Scafell Pike.  This route included some tricky scrambling and steep descents and they were very pleased to be doing it in dry conditions.  After lunch they descended to Broad Crag over a treacherous boulder field and on to Esk Hause and Stockley Bridge, to return to Seathwaite for their minibus return to the hotel.  This was a 15km, 6 ½ hour marathon with about 1000m elevation gain and many sections requiring great concentration.  All returned safely – and relieved – but very pleased with their achievement.

The final pre-dinner briefing reviewed each group’s achievements and highlighted their delight at the walks, the views and the great weather.  William Mitchell thanked all of the leaders for delivering the walks safely.

William Mitchell was thanked for all of his work in selecting the walk routes which had provided enjoyable, challenging and safe walks for every grade.  Frank O’Hare, who couldn’t attend the trip was also thanked for his hotel selection and organisation which had ensured perfect hotel services throughout our visit.  Finally, our bus driver Jim Jenkins (who is also a club walker) was thanked for driving us, on his own time, to and from Keswick.

The final dinner followed and was enjoyed by all of the tired but happy members.  William Mitchell thanked the hotel staff at the end of the meal and passed on a generous tip from the members.

On Wednesday had the usual great breakfast and packed all of our kit onto the bus.  Then after the traditional group photograph we boarded the bus for an uneventful trip back up to Cairnryan.  After a very smooth crossing the bus took us back to our various towns completing another excellent Kilbroney Ramblers trip with lots of happy memories and photographs to remind us of another great visit to the Lake District.

William Morris