Keswick Camping

Panorama

It had been very cold for over a week before we set off to Keswick. We hadn't used the van for several months, I'm always concerned that something will not work after such a long layup. We stopped at Morrisons in Kendel to get some food and have some lunch.

On Your Bike.

We arrived at the Caravan and Camping Clubsite mid afternoon. First job was to fill up the water tank and pitch up. Thankfully the water and heating all worked, I did have to unfreeze the water pump, but that was straight forward.


The kids wanted to ride their bikes, so my next job was unloading them from the bike rack. I walked down to the edge of Derwent Water to admire the view while the kids made friends with some of the other children who were also spending their half term on the site.

All too soon it was dark, we had some tea and settled down for the night.
  

10 Mile Bike Ride

There's a cycle track that is away from the road along a disused railway, its very safe for the kids, Jack is getting better with traffic but Finlay who's only 6 isn't safe on busy roads. So we decided to used the bike track and get some lunch at the Horse and Farrier in Threlkeld which is about five miles away from Keswick. There is also a couple of geocaches to keep the kids motivated.

From behind the swimming baths at Keswick the disused railway climbs gradually following the river Gretna. Jack had no problems with the gradient, bu Finlay complained all the way along the track.Since we last set off on the bikes Finlay has had a 'groing spirt' and the bike seat was too low, the poor little fellow had his knees and elbows crashing into each other!

At the pub we had a few drinks and some lunch, the food was great and the kids were happy for a break. The ride back down the track to Keswick was much easier and Finlay didn't complain as much! In all we did about 10 miles and the bike track has some wonderful views along the valley.

7 Mile Walk

Next day and again we we lucky with the weather, nothing spectacular but it was dry and reasonably warm. The plan was to go for a walk. In the past we ended up using the Cruise boats on the Derwent and then walked up Catbells, however this time we decided to walk on the other side of Derwent Water and walk along the top of the ridge above Walla Crag.

We set off and headed through the park, past the Theatre and boat launch and onto the Nation Trusts  Friars Crag, some really good view from here across the Lake! From here we headed away from the lake towards Castlehead Wood, climbing the steep paths through  the trees we headed to the viewing point. Although the paths are steep the effort required for the view are well worth it, we stopped here to take photographs and admire the views.

Following the paths onto Sprints Road we headed to Springs Farm, from here the road ended and we followed the path along the top of a valley emerging onto a track at Rake Foot. From here we were climbing on paths towards Lady's Rake. Stopping for a sandwich and a drink we took in the great views. Staying on the top of the ridge we continued on to Cat Gill and descended back into the bottom by the waterfall.

By The Big Tree.

Looking Across Derwent

Biking on Water!

Walking back towards the lake we stopped to look at an amazing Cedar of Lebanon tree. It is massive! There's a Geocache nearby so the kids routed around while I admired one of the biggest trees I've ever seen! We were soon back at the camp site, a good walk about 8 miles in all. Had a Chinese takeaway for tea and settled in the van for our last night before heading home.

There's a good toy shop in Keswick and the kids got some Lego for being good, and it was time to head home. We'd had a good few days away and for February the weather had held up. 

Can't wait to get more trips organised!