19/08/07 Grasmere to Patterdale

Ok, reverse order photos! This is the Stile Farm Campsite.

Dapper, really dapper.
Care for some chocolate or tea?
A Foggy night, in London Town.....
"My head is too big and my arms are too short"

Not a great sleep - mattress too soft and mildewed, room-mates in/out, too warm at 70degrees. Ah, for my sweet tent! But all was dry and comfortable. Finally packed up and ready to go about 0915 as the weather was supposed to improve later in the day. If it did it was only marginally, however there never was a full on rain, just varied between naught, mist, drizzle and spirits of sunlight now and again.

Three men I'd unknowingly followed in had about 1/2 hour start on me, and, I think, took the first alternate offered to the north of Great Tongue. I reached the false summit and thought i was looking at Grisedale Tarn (a 4acre lake) - in fact it was just a bog between peak lines. Such was the visibility over the top in the clouds, again. Wind and clouds make the hike harder, and I backtracked once before deciding I was still correct and just needed to press on. Finally I had descended enough and the cloud thinned out enough to see the actual tarn, confirming my course. I, naturally, began to bellow what I know of "A Foggy Night, in London Town" at the top of my lungs.

at the northern end of the tarn were a father and his beautiful daughter, brewing a cup of tea and noshing on biscuits whilst the dog scattered sheep and fish with equal abandon. They didn't think much of my singing.

Just down from the tarn i almost passed BrothersParting Rock (the locals have quite the thing for Wordsworth here). the rest of the way in, about 8km, was straight-forward, even a bit tedious. Amazing how hard tarmac feels on one's feet after a day on the trail.

Several families and couples were out picnicking in the 60degrees, 20mph wind, drizzley day; though all were taking shelter behind large rocks, using ledges and crannies as shelves for tea cups and stoves!

Grisdale Lake is a resort area just north of the trail, but Patterdale is just to the south and a nice place as well. An American works at the General Store there, and we had a nice chat. The White Lion Pub food was fair at best, I didn't care for their local brew, and there was apparently discord among the employees.

I''m getting used to this walking thing, and am pleased and amazed at how outdoorsie the Brits are - despite the rainy weather. 10L at the pub, 2L at the store. 5L camp.

Book lists tomorrow as a long day; climb early, then round the lake, then a long slog into town.

Stile Farm Campsite is a caravan camp and camp ground, so there are all types of campers: couples, singles, families young and old. Above me is a young family, trying to keep the kids out of the mud (good luck with that). To one side an angry couple - he's swearing at her and doing all the work (he says). In front of me a trio of possible revelers 2 males and 1 female that may or may not be the noisiest of the group on their return from the pub later. Ah, earplugs and eyepatch, come to me! It is also quite muddy from a busy and wet weekend, and not much level, non-boggy ground to be had. Still, the showers are free and hot and I'm not walking anymore today.