Post 268: 8th June 2018
The forecast for Saturday was again good and having noticed this walk on a noticeboard near Derwentwater I decided I would attempt it and perhaps add on Cat Bells.
After a hearty full English Breakfast I set off and bought tuna and salad wholemeal bread and oat and date slice from the Laura in the Lakes Cafe just before the main pedestrianised street rises to the Moot Hall. This proved to be a good choice as both were delicious and they were well packed so that they didn’t get damaged in my rucksack. I would strongly recommend it, particularly for walkers. I went back the following day. 
I arrived lakeside at 9.30am.
The walk continues to Friar’s Crag. 
Where there are fine views across Derwentwater towards the Jaws of Borrowdale.
I passed a beach area where sheep were ambling to get water. 
I then encountered runners heading in the opposite direction to me. 
Further delightful lakeside views appeared. The walking was a lot easier than Skiddaw the previous day.
I passed the Lodore Falls Hotel, which is undergoing considerable improvement. Maybe UNESCO World Heritage status is encouraging more wealthy visitors to the area. 
Opposite some outdoor types were ‘hanging around’.
I then crossed over to the other side of Derwentwater.
To begin the ascent of Cat Bells.
I stopped on the summit for lunch, at which points the rains came. I donned full waterproofs and carried on with my lunch, whilst everyone else seemed to depart quickly.
The descent on the Keswick side is quite steep, rocky and, when wet, slippy, so I decided to descend on the gentler but longer walk I had just come up (Borrowdale side).
The walk along the lakeside seemed very long and it was very tempting to catch a boat back to Keswick but I resisted as I wanted to complete the circuit of Derwentwater.
After a rest and shower I headed for the traditional fish and chips outside and did they taste nice. An ice-cream restored energy too and it was concert time again. 
I got an uncomfortable patch of grass on my walking mat. 
Then the fun started.
Finally, the ‘star’ singer arrived Mel C. and although I would not specifically choose to go and see her she certainly had a presence on stage, given her Spice Girl CV. She even sang an Ed Sheeran song (see earlier video on Secret Diaries).
The large crowd liked her.
Another good day finishing again at 10.30pm.
Miles Walked 15
Calories Burnt 3995
Steps 31,825
Day 3, 9 June 2019
I was awake at about 7am to go and get the Sunday papers and Keswick was pretty quiet.
It was such a lovely morning I wandered down to the lake where it was far from quiet. Triathlon participants were getting ready! 
Exhausted by the sight I popped back to the bed and breakfast for breakfast, packed the car and then returned to the festival area.
It was warming up and I was delighted to get a free iced frocunut.
I had my final talk at just after 11.00am by Emma Brennand who was a producer for Planet Earth II. 
She covered Mountains and Islands and was excellent. 
I finish with some of her good advice – Don’t Look Down! 
I then headed to the Midlands to visit my mother.
A very enjoyable weekend. They had by now had about 5 weeks of dry weather.
Apparently the previous year was a washout. Now that’s the Keswick I used to visit when I worked on one dry day for every two wet days.
Global Warming?
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