It wouldn’t be summer without a trip up a hill to see the views. But it wouldn’t be a BRITISH summer without the rain to accompany those ‘views’. So on a full stomach and a full rucksack we headed off into the hills. Wansfell, for those who don’t know, is one of the nicest routes of the Mid-Lakes. Boasting spectacular views of Lake Windermere.
The accent to the summit is relentless. Taking the Roman approach of directness up the hill. In perspective, it’s like walking up your staircase for around 2 hours. But Stotfold Scouts had to endure constant rain, and a 200m climb through a cloud. Everyone was wet, everyone’s legs ached, but everyone stood atop the with a sense that despite their doubts they’d achieved it, together.
Dropping back through the clouds to Troutbeck, the rain held back. The clouds broke, and we were treated to a view worthy of any slog. Evening sun split through the clouds over Lake Windermere throwing England’s finest stretch of water into a picture-perfect spectacle.
The evening’s meal was shovelled down faster than the weather turned. The Scouts are full of smiles around the fire, and as I sit here writing this, the aching legs feel completely worth their pain.
Roll on sailing in the morning. Goodnight.
The Barclay's
July 28, 2010
The walk sounded exhausting and wet. Can you please remind Hannah that she does have another jacket with her as the one she’s wearing looks a bit damp. The canoeing and sailing sounds great and I’ll bet you all had a whale of a time. Love to Hannah. X