England: Keswick in The Lake District

We based ourselves in Keswick for a quick visit to the Lake District. The weather was fine and it happened to be Half-Term Holiday. The place was rather busy.

The first day we did a clockwise circumnavigation of Derwentwater, checking off a few viewpoints. By the time we got to the very popular Catbells, it was late afternoon, thankfully the crowds had dispersed, as the trail descending took some negotiating.

The second day we took the bus to Grasmere, heart of Wordsworth country. We went up to Loughrigg Fell, then down to Ambleside, with many fine views.

And on the morning of the 3rd day we walked on the Keswick Railway Footpath to visit the 5000 y.o. Castlerigg Stone Circle just outside town.

After a change of trains in Carlisle (2nd below) and a bus, we were in Keswick. To get into our apartment, we had to climb up the fire escape stairs (4th below). How 'bout that?








We took a short stroll around Keswick, then back to our apartment for a tasty SL-prepared meal followed by an awesome sunset out the west window.




The next day we started our walk at the very busy Keswick Launch on Derwentwater. There were wooden row boats, self-drive motor boats, SUPs, canoes and more, for hire; not to mention the larger launch/ferry boats.






We took a detour to catch the Derwentwaters vista at Surprise View, then down a lovely forest footpath back to the Circumnanavigation Walk.




Crossing the River Derwent Bridge and continuing on the boardwalk.






Up to Catbells at 451m above sea level. Great views of the lake and Keswick in the distance. Lunch spot!






Descending.


The next day we rode a spiffy new blue double-decker bus to Grasmere, and after passing Wordsworth's house and grave, headed up to Loughrigg Fell.








We were not the only ones eating our picnic at the summit of Loughrigg Fell




Then a nice ramble down the back side of Loughrigg Fell to Ambleside.






The next morning we walked on the Keswick Railway Footpath to the ancient Castlerigg Stone Circle which was constructed about 3000 BC. Very cool. Not to mention the flyby of a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning!

England: Hadrian's Wall

We had a rather ambitious plan for walking Hadrian's walls. From Hexham Station we took the shuttle AD122 to Walltown Quarry and walked to Housesteads. It was a rather warm day. I was ready for it to end. We should have just walked from Steel Rigg to Housesteads.

We saw some agricultural action from the bus window, and a good part of the route is along the River Tyne (3rd below).






At Walltown Crags we walked east along the wall, not on the wall. It's prohibited to walk on the wall.










The view south from Walltown Crags.






We stopped for a rest and a snack at Cawfields Lake Park, the site of a former quarry.


East of Cawfields Lake Park, we checked out some small Roman ruins.


There were definitely more people along this beautiful part of the wall walk. Not to mention the sightseeing flights.




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Winshields, the highest point of Hadrian's Wall at Winshields is 342m above sea level.








The Foundation ruins of Milecastle 39 near Steel Rigg.


We continued EAST along the wall, passing some rock climbers.




Here, the wall is covered with sod/grass. Cool.




A young go-getter jumps into my photo. haha


Finally, Housesteads Roman Fort (Vercovicium).