Day 4 - Grasmere to Patterdale


And the rain it raineth..........in fairness, only as long as the forecast predicted it would and by 10:00 it had eased off sufficiently for us to venture out after our relaxed breakfast.
Grasmere is very pretty but having only seen it in heavy rain, we reckon it deserves a return visit at some point.

Distance today 8.9 miles
Total Distance so far 52.6 miles

Walking out of Grasmere
 
The route out of Grasmere rises initially steeply along the amusingly named Little Tongue Gill towards Grisedale Tarn. On the way we passed two men working for 'Fix the Fells' - laying stones along the route to reduce the erosion caused by footfall - in particular across areas of peat. - what a job!! Apparently they work in all weathers.

Climbing up Little Tongue to Grisedale Tarn

Still Climbing

The forecast was that it might rain again. Yesterday , the rain had defeated David’s Goretex waterproof jacket and walking trousers - soaked through.  So today, we tried a different strategy. A cheap, lightweight showerproof poncho. Unfortunately,  as the wind picked up, so did the poncho. Imagine Marilyn Munro in that dress!!!
David doing involuntary Marilyn impressions!

Approaching Grisedale Tarn

Trying to dodge the stream on the path by the Tarn

Windswept and gorgeous?

Despite the rain and the occasionally gusty wind, it was an enjoyable walk up and we found an ideal sheltered spot to stop for our flask of coffee overlooking Grisedale Tarn.

Looking on down Grisedale towards Ullswater

Looking back to Grisedale Tarn

The long climb up to St Sundays Crag

Lovely little plants that cling onto the rocks


 From there we went on up a scree path to a very windy St Sunday Crag overlooking Ullswater. By now the wind had gained in strength significantly so David decided on a costume change to avoid he and his poncho being blown away altogether.

 Leaning into the wind on St Sundays Crag



The views all round were stunning, with Helvellyn to the North and Ullswater to the East.

A long climb down to Ullswater


The route from the top was a long and sometimes very steep descent towards Ullswater and our accommodation in Patterdale


Ullswater as the sun sets

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