A GROUP of Stroud Rambling Club members recently returned from a week walking Wainwright’s route across the Lake District, the first part of the renowned ‘Coast to coast’.

Although there was minibus support, almost all of the group completed the walk, braving extremes of Lake District weather.

True to form the first day being a Bank holiday, the group set off around St. Bees Head in gale force winds and torrential rain.

They were not at all amused by Wainwright’s little joke of starting the 200 mile walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea by walking westwards around the coast for four miles.

The weather improved a little the following day as they walked along Ennerdale and visited the remote Black Sail hostel before staying at Honister Pass; the next day, after the conquest of Greenup Edge, they arrived in Grasmere in bright sunshine.

From then on the sun shone on the group as they walked on to Patterdale, two of the group detouring to rise to the challenge of Striding Edge.

The final day and probably the hardest saw them arrive at Shap, tired but still in good spirits.

Accommodation was in YHA hostels along the route which provided a cheerful service and hearty food.

The last night was spent in Penrith in a newly opened and very smart independent hostel.

We were delighted by the old fashioned charm of the town.

The Stroud Rambling Club will be arranging the next section of the ‘Coast to coast’ walk next Summer, from Shap to Danby Whiske.

To receive details of this walk and a booking form, visit the Stroud Rambling Club website; there you will find full details of how to join the Club.