Lake District, UK: Rydal Walk

After the wedding ended late (think 'dance'), I woke up early for a walk. While you can trust the distance stated for a walk, you can't trust the duration stated. At least, I can't. 

The further I walked, 

the mores surprises I had. 

Until I knew I had to turn back. 

I had a train to catch.

I don't even think I covered half the distance...

Remember to lock the gates, wandering sheep like to eat 

beautiful flowers.

It was a long and quiet walk, with the occasional jogger or dog-walker.

The Rydal Caves

On the edge

Lake District can get very popular in summer. Rydal isn't even the more popular walking areas, and it was so awesome for me already. I'm not sure how the other areas can top this. 

As the old couple on the train, or the then-just-married couple said, the Lake District is great because you have the fells (hills or mountains) and the lakes in the same place. The views are great and it's an accessible place for walks of different levels, with a range of accommodation options (stay at a B&B, tent or camping pod). 

Lake District, UK: Windermere Orrest Head

It was easy to go up Orrest Head, but I got lost coming down. The day was long but I had to get my luggage before the Mountain Goat closed. I kept circling the summit and was up there three times, and this was how desperate I was: 

I asked a random stranger which way down, which gate to past... twice (because he was still there the third time I was up) 

I saw some grazing sheep and didn't take decent pictures of them. I was more concerned about not stepping on their poo. The sheep cannot be found along the regular trail. 

I ran down hill and made it just in time. (Actually the worst case scenario would be to drive into town tomorrow before the wedding to get my things.)

The climb up and down is easy if you don't lose your way. And the view is worth it! 

With some sparkling Lake District water (from the Windermere supermarket)

The grazing sheep








It was a good climb. Just don't get lost. 

Lake District, UK: Windermere Lake

(July 2015) 

Lake District has never been on my to-visit list, but isn't a wedding a great excuse to visit? After this teaser, I'm officially a convert (ditto for Scotland).

If I've inspired you to visit the Lake District, flying into Manchester Airport is better than landing at London. The train ride to Oxenholme then Winderemere is cheaper and faster that way. Speaking of train tickets, do book in advance, on the First Transpennine Express. Ticket prices only go up and never down. The cheapest tickets have fixed timings, while an open ticket is much, much costlier.  

You can conveniently collect your pre-booked tickets from the machines at the Manchester Airport train station.

The train ride was smooth, punctual and clean. The scenery,very blue and green (peppered with white-black specks of sheep and cows). If you are lucky like me, curious locals will chat you up and tell you about how awesome Lake District is. An amused old couple did.

 

Windermere was my gateway to the District. The wedding venue was a bus ride away, in Rydal. But I figured that since I was in town,  I should explore it first, so as always, I found somewhere to keep my luggage. 

 

The Mountain Goat provides information and lockers around the building (and down stairs). 

Two places to visit in Windermere - the Lake and Orrest Head. I've excluded the huge supermarket near the Windermere train station, though it was worth a visit too.

This way to the Lake:

I've always loved hiking. Through this trip, I learnt that hiking does not require a commitment of 9 days (such as in Nepal). Great hikes can take anywhere from one hour to a day. For these, I don't need a guide, I can't use GPS and I have to rely on vague instructions like "At this point you can cut the walk short and go through this gate, dropping down through the woodland and cross the main road at the other side.". Vague as it is before I embark on the walk, things fades into clarity when I get there. I even see the small post box.