Grasmere

Light rain started near Rydall Hall and followed us for the rest of the day. As we walked downhill to the Wordsworth Museum an elderly couple stopped to chat. They were on their way up to Alcock Tarn. I felt a bit of a cheat to be doing such a low level walk when this pair were going much higher. We wished them well and headed down to Grasmere. The weather and time of year meant few people were out in the village. The few about were sipping cappuccinos in the cafes. We didn't linger and headed out the other side back towards Grasmere Lake.

Grasmere 

A bench was a welcome support for our lunch alongside the shore of Grasmere Lake. A robin kept a keen interest on what we were eating. We were then joined by a young black headed gull.  We had a good view over the lake. It was a shame that the mist kept the tops of Fairfield and Seat Sandal hidden.

As we walked around the southern end of Grasmere Lake a man sat eating his lunch surrounded by ducks. One was creeping up behind him. He (the man) looked a bit uncomfortable with all the attention.

Rydal Mine

Rather than follow the shore of Rydal Water we went up to the Rydal mines. We had a wander into the main mine. The entrance made quite an interesting frame to the outside world. Many years ago I remember a sign being up saying not to go into the mine, but there was none in evidence today. There is another mine, near to the main one, but it is more difficult to access.

It was getting rather gloomy as we made our way back to Under Loughrigg Lane. The snowmen we had admired yesterday were just unrecognisable snowy lumps in pools of water. We edged our way back around the tree that had fallen on to Under Loughrigg Lane and then made our way through Rothay Park. A 'Tree Services' van was parked up. I guess they were going to make a start to saw up the trees that had fallen.

It was a gloomy end to the day. In fact, it had been a gloomy start and middle too. I always do this walk when the weather doesn't look promising for a high level walk. This means I always associate it with rain and gloom. That's a shame since the walk has some great views. I made a promise to do it in sunny weather next time.