Only the rain fell for Aycliffe Fell Walkers on Saturday, 18th May.
On a damp day when the weather forecasters got it right, 39 AFWC members, including two new ‘arrivals’, boarded the coach to Ambleside with the intention of walking to Coniston in the Southern Lake District. Undeterred by the rain, most alighted at Ambleside and perhaps rather appropriately, ‘ambled off’ – but in different directions; hesitating to refer to their maps and risk getting them wet!
Group members eventually reunited and, acknowledging that there was low cloud all around with little chance of encountering spectacular views, determined that low-level walking was the order of the day. Once out of Ambleside the group stayed close to the course of the River Brathay as far as Skelwith Bridge, where they were able to take advantage of a chance coffee morning at the village hall. Maps were studied over a warming cup of coffee but no sooner had they resumed the walk than they promptly lost their way again, due of course to the incessant heavy rain.
The satisfying remedy to all this was that later, after a stop for some lunch, the path required that the group begin to ascend somewhat. Fortunately, this was just as the clouds began to roll away and the rain eased to a stop! At this point the group were able to appreciate glimpses of distant hill-tops; an easy descent toward Tarn Hows followed. The variety of greens, newly nourished by the rain, brought the scenery alive – and several other visitors were encountered taking a stroll round the tarn.
The group lingered by a well-visited money tree (no more room to insert further coins!) and then, passing lots of newly born lakeland lambs and umpteen signs saying Coniston 1.5 miles, eventually arrived into Coniston village. They found the coach and were able to change into warm dry clothing before heading for the local brew house. Excellent locally-brewed ales were enjoyed and a cheerful journey back home ensued! “Does anyone know any songs by Wet, Wet, Wet?”
Visit www.afwc.org.uk for details of further walks during 2013.
