Day 3 - Rosthwaite to Grasmere

Sadly we leave Rosthwaite, the 'capital' of the Borrowdale Valley,  after a wonderful night's stay in The Royal Oak.  We didn't have to walk anywhere for dinner as they served it in their diningroom.  24 of us sat down at 7:30 to enjoy a beautiful meal, as always  - huge, but delightful just the same.  In the morning their efficiency was remarkable as they fed us all and had lunches made for the C2Cers so we could be on our way as early as possible.

We began with photos and continued all day with photos.  It's hard to resist!            

We left the quaint village of Rosthwaite with its whitewashed houses dotted among the stone houses and headed into the magnificent countryside.  It is so special that we can take all the time we want to enjoy this stroll through the great variety of scenery.  Why would we want to hurry along?  We may never be here again so I have to keep stopping for more photos...

This is the lovely River Derwent

The Borrowdale valley is beautiful with its stone walls

 which creep quietly up and down the landscape 

 with occasional gaps which give opportunity for views of the fells.

Some of the walls are as tall as us.

They soon give way to more stunning panoramic scenes as we looked across a tributary of the Derwent to the whitewashed houses that dot the valley.
 "The Lake District is the loveliest part of England, and Borrowdale is the fairest of its valleys." You guessed it, another Wainwright quote!

Our route today was a climb up past Lining Crag to Greenup Edge.   The Lake District National Parks don't like to signpost this walk as they believe anyone doing it should know how to find their own way around.  

But fortunately there are some signposts for us to check our instructions with 

We came across a sheepfold, which we were excited to find.  The sheep roam freely on the fells and these sheepfold  provide some protection for them in the wild weather. Often we see the sheep, ewes and lambs together, resting against the stone walls or behind a large rock.    

The shepherd looking for his sheep...

Many of the lambs are black but the mothers are a mix of different colours.  The lambs are very cute. It's amazing to hear the mothers calling their own lamb and the lamb responding. Another wonderful sight.  Wainwright said this was a walk in heaven - I think he was right...

Eagle Crag from the Stonethwaite Valley 

As we climbed up and up and up, I thought of Psalm 121 "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from where my help comes from.."  It was important that we kept Greenup Gill to our right as we climbed. We were like sheep roaming on the green hills

These sheep were very relaxed as 

 the water spilled over the rocks and sort of refreshed us with its sound.

 

Ahead of us there is Lining Crag, Greenup Edge and Calf Crag, all of which means lots of hard work!

An Irishman, an Englishman and an Australian about to begin the assault on Lining Crag!

The valley is getting further away 

Finally we made it to the top.

Was the climb worth it? Absolutely!!

Now for the descent back down into the next valley and Grasmere.... 

Aren't the foxgloves lovely?

And at last the first glimpse of Grasmere, Wordsworth territory. The gardens are fabulous, so typically cottage. 

And the fields of buttercups are beautiful

Our resting place for the next two nights -  Silver Lea. And our first rest day, I'm ready, bring it on!! 

The walk today was absolutely breathtaking; strenuous but so varied and beautiful.  I just hope the photos can keep the memory alive for years to come!