Cumbria Way - Rosthwaite to Keswick (10m)

Day four 15 June

On Wednesday morning, after a top notch breakfast, we scooted across Keswick to the bus station to catch the 9:55 bus to Borrowdale, along with dozens of other walkers. While queuing we chatted with a chap from Middlesbrough, on the bus he was chatting to a couple sat near us, who were originally from Middlesbrough, and it turned out they all knew various people from school or college some 50 years ago.

We got off the bus at Rosthwaite to start our last day on the Cumbria Way where we finished the night before. We headed for the Flock In tearoom for our first stop this morning only to learn that it’s not open Wednesdays. As we stood there bemoaning our luck the couple from the bus caught us up and we walked together, all the way back to Keswick.

Barry and Jo from Redcar were very easy to get on with and as the walk progressed we became friends. They had travelled widely, were regular visitors to the lakes and were adventurous walkers, we shared tales and experiences as we went along.

The weather was a bit lacklustre, couldn’t make its mind up. Having ditched 60% of the gear from my rucksack I was floating, darting around trying to get photos, most of which failed to impress chiefly due to the poor light.

The path from Rosthwaite meanders along the west bank of the River Derwent, through verdant woodland, passing by Castle Crag, eventually reaching Grange, with its double arched pack-horse bridge over the River Derwent, we stopped at the tearoom for coffee and cake.

After a short section of road walking the path cuts across the moorland towards Derwent Water close to the caravan site at Low Manesty (more memories) and on northwards past jetties serving the Launch which circles Derwent Water providing rapid access between Keswick and half a dozen points around the lake. The fields and woodlands of Brandelhowe Park, Hawes End, Silver Hill and Fawe Park flew past and suddenly we were in the tearoom in Portinscale, more coffee and cake!.

An hour later we were in Keswick and the walk was complete.

The Cumbria Way continues north for about 15 miles passing around Skidaw, over High Pike and into Caldbeck. From Caldbeck it’s another 15 Mile day to Carlisle the official end of the walk. We had considered going on to Caldbeck, but the logistic of getting back to Keswick were difficult and expensive. Also Mrs G’s sore foot would have made 15 miles difficult. Even now over a week later, although it is getting better, it still gives her some pain.