The tent was down and packed away by seven forty-five this morning and set up again forty miles away by ten o’clock! Which left Finn and I the whole day to get up Helvellyn.
It’s been very hot and the views have been breathtaking, both of which caused me to sit down a lot during the day. Finn used these opportunities to run off and chase sheep and disappeared from sight a number of times. Bloody dog. The climb up was stepped and went on forever at a forty-five degree angle – punishing on the legs – but, towards the top, the steps gave way to scree. I only saw a handful of people all day – I guess that’s the beauty of doing such a popular walk on a weekday.
The boys ‘phoned while I was on top of Helvellyn – they were on top of Red Pike, so we all waved in different directions towards different peaks which made me chuckle at the silliness of the moment.
There was snow at the top of Helvellyn and Finn launched himself over the edge of a precipice to roll in it – at that point, once I’d dragged him back, I put him back on the lead – I was anxious enough as it was without the possibility of Mountain Rescue being involved!
I chatted to a few people about Striding Edge – it looked way too scary for me – but I’d been encouraged by the amount of dogs appearing over the top of the ridge. I don’t think I’d like to attempt it with Finn on his lead – he’d be quite likely to pull me over. (Later in the pub, I spoke to a couple who said their dog had fallen and they thought it had broken its leg. Another couple got as far as Striding Edge, but then turned back and fled the other way!)
So, we couldn’t put it off any longer – and started back downhill on the knee crunching steps – my legs kept going wobbly and I was glad to get to the bottom. Especially when I discovered an ice cream van in the layby where we’d parked. Result!
After a shower back at the campsite, we set off to Rossthwaite to meet Steve and Tristan. They were on day two of the Coast to Coast and we’d arranged to meet at the pub there so they could buy me dinner! (Actually I think that was MY arrangement!) On arrival, the boys were not to be seen, so I sat outside quietly until Finn got into a fight with a very exciteable Labrador, at which point Finn was exiled to the car. As I came back from the car, I found Tristan in a stew – he’d lost Steve. Day Two!! I thought this was pretty careless, but thought better about saying so. So Tris, Finn and I had a lovely drive through Borrowdale to find the wanderer, who we found quite cheerfully coming down the road towards Seatoller. So then, back to the pub for dinner and explanations which I will let Tristan make in his blog.
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