Keswick day 4

We'd taken the awning down the previous evening since rain was forecast overnight, so only had the rest of the stuff to pack up.

Today was Scott's birthday, so as part of that we decided to go for a full cooked breakfast. Tripadvisor took us to The Filling Station, and the full English was very good. We managed to park the campervan for free just down the road.

After breakfast took Amber for a walk, first through Fitz Park then onto an old railway track which follows the River Greta east out of Keswick. The weather was much cooler, windier and cloudier than before.

After about three miles we left the railway track and head south then west, which gave us good views over Blencathra and Sharp Edge.

The minor roads took us past the ancient Castlerigg stone circle, which was quite interesting.

After getting back to the campervan we drove home, via Tesco for Scott to buy stuff for his birthday tea.

Keswick day 3

Today we were going to go for a longer walk without Amber, so after breakfast we started by taking her for a walk down to the lake. The water level was quite low, we could walk out quite a bit at the beach.

Then we left Amber in the campervan and started our walk up Skiddaw. It was very sunny at this point, and quite warm.

It was a fairly steep path all the way to the top. At the top there was some snow and ice, and we were in cloud for a bit, but there was very little wind.

The way down to the west was even steeper than the ascent, but soon took us down to some fields and country lanes before we got back to the campervan.

As it was Scott's birthday the next day we went out for dinner to the Dog and Gun, and had their famous Goulash and plenty beer.

Keswick day 2

After breakfast in the campervan we walked into Keswick with Amber and went to the pier from where the launches on Derwentwater leave. We only just made the 10.30 one, and got on it (Amber wasn't very keen!)

We went across the water to Hawes Pier, where we started the walk up Cat Bells. It was mainly sunny, but over the course of the day we caught a couple of hail showers. We walked to the top of Cat Bells, Amber managed it reasonably OK.

We descended to the south of Cat Bells, then traversed back round to the pier again for the launch back.

We went back to the campervan and rested for a bit, then we left Amber in the campervan to go back for a walk down the east shore of the lake.

We went for a pint in the George Hotel,then went back to the campervan for dinner, vegetarian chilli and rice.

Keswick day 1

We set off about 10, and first drove to Wanlockhead, "the highest village in Scotland". This was an old lead mining village, and very picturesque and interesting.

After a walk round the village and look at old mine workings, we had a coffee in the campervan.

Then we drove further down towards the Lake District, taking the scenic route via Bassenthwaite, where we stopped for lunch by a river. On the way a red squirrel crossed the road in front of us and scampered into the woods.

We then carried on to Keswick camp site, where we parked up and erected the awning for the very first time. I think it went well!

We took Amber for a walk by the lake adjacent to the site, Derwentwater.

Later we walked into Keswick and had a look at some climbing gear shops, then went for a pint at the Dog and Gun. All the shops and pubs we found were very dog-friendly,a bit of a theme for the whole town.

We went back to the campervan where we had pasta with chorizo and chilli sauce for dinner, then watched some television.