Borrowdale Walk along the Cumbria Way from Stonethwaite to Grange

A favourite parking location of mine in Stonethwaite and I've parked here countless times over the years. We were expecting bad weather today - but it looks like everyone else was too, as there were many more parking spots available than I was expecting at this Easter holiday time.

As we set off down the lane towards Stonethwaite, hopes were raised that we might actually get a dry walk in today. Compared to the resignation previously that todays walk was bound to be a wash-out, our spirits were raised considerably.

Stonethwaite and it's pub/hotel 'The Langstrath' - My daughter and her partner Ben had decided to book up for an evening meal here tonight and that turned out to be a very good decision too. Only 10 minutes down the road from their hotel and apparently they enjoyed "the best pie and mash - ever"

A scene we saw a few times during today's walk - with mums and their lambs tucked up all warm and dry in their barns.

Stonethwaite Beck with Rosthwaite and Thorneythwaite fells behind

Ben & Lauren at Rosthwaite Bridge.

Walking towards Rosthwaite, with Dale Head and High Spy in the distance.

Heading towards Yew Tree Farm at Rosthwaite on the Cumbria Way.

The last time I passed here, these stepping stones were submerged. It was possible to cross today, but we went for the much easier bridge crossing further up.

New Bridge over the River Derwent.

Another pretty bridge, this one at the picturesque hamlet of Grange. There used to be a nice cafe here on the river bank - not sure if it's being refurbished at the moment, or it's now a private dwelling, but work was certainly ongoing when we walked by. Never mind, there's another nice cafe in the centre where we enjoyed our customary cream tea in Grange - Sitting outside too, which we never dreamt we could be doing today.

It was during our discussions over our scones and cream in Grange - that our thoughts turned to the lovely Charlotte Allen, who had given up her 2 weeks Easter holiday to do school charity work in Malawi. What an amazing thing to do we all agreed - What made it even better was................

....... In her spare time, she climbed Mount Diwa and visited Mount Mlanda with our 'Walking Diary' fleece on !! What a star. Think that deserves a mention along with her finely honed modelling skills. Well done Char x

Now back to the walk, as we departed Grange along the lakeside road and turned right here onto the lakeside path.

Great Bay and Derwent Water

The fabulous boardwalk over the very marshy Borrowdale meadows.

Crossing the more modern Chinese bridge across the River Derwent

It was at this point that it was suggested that as this mornings walk had worked out so well, why don't we do another one this afternoon ! We are still not wet yet. That's true and it doesn't take much to persuade me - okay, let me think?