Day 5 - June 7th, Rosthwaite to Grasmere
Day 5 - Rothswaite to Grasmere
It would be nearly impossible for a day of walking to be more strenuous, challenging and exhausting than the day before yesterday, but yesterday came very close. A large part of that was the hangover (physically and mentally, not from the consumption of alcoholic beverages!) from the day before.
Our review of the map, details, and elevation profile indicated that it would be a less demanding day. There were two climbs and descents that appeared to be less steep; the distance was only 12.6 miles vs. 15.7, so we were hopeful. We did not factor in the impact of yesterday's hike - sore muscles, minor injuries and fatigue - lesson learned.
The climbs were not as steep or as long as the prior day, but the second climb was more difficult. In the US, we call the climbing we did scrambling. There was no visible trail, wet terrain, and the rocks were loose. It was almost dangerous, and several times I thought I might fall. The descent seemed to go on forever. The trail was essentially a rock garden with patches of bog and numerous stream crossings, essentially jumping from stone to stone - exhausting! The National Trust is working on improving the trails. They have laid large flat stones to help travel across the bogs and reduce the impact on the area - an image is included in the gallery.
I have always wanted to visit the Lake District, and the scenery has been quite beautiful, but the walking has made it difficult to admire the vistas and take images. The region's beauty, the bleating of the numerous sheep and antics of their lambs along with the call of the cuckoo birds have provided some consolation.
This morning, with the assistance of a friend who has experience dealing with walking conditions in England, we made the difficult decision to skip the next two stages. We will take a cab to the designated destinations for this morning and tomorrow morning. This was not an easy decision to make. Still, with the lingering weakness and diminished control of my right leg (nerve damage from pressure before my last back surgery) and the load it puts on my left leg with the plate and screws in my tibia (motorcycle accident) and the stone bruise on Therese's ankle (from the descent on Day 4) it is the right decision.
Here is a link to yesterday's images, sorry, you will need to copy it and paste it in your browser address window:
https://www.reedpikephotography.com/coast-to-coast-photos/day-5
Yesterday, we had hoped to arrive in Grasmere in time to visit the William Wordsworth Museum and Dove Cottage, his home. That did not happen, so we plan on spending the next couple of days seeking out opportunities like that to experience the area we might miss if we were walking. Here is one of Wordsworth's most famous poems:
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
The thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.