Windermere Hiking Weekend - May Bank Holiday

Yen and I organised our latest walking weekend over the spring bank holiday and we were blessed with a great group of people, some good weather and a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.  Below is a short summary and pictures of the weekend.
To view our next hiking and yoga weekends please view our main website at www,mountainhikes.co.uk
Also some reviews just added at the end of this post.

Saturday 24th May

Windermere Hostel, Troutbeck, Wansfell Pike, Ambleside, Ferry to Bowness, Orrest Head.

The group was 17 people and we based ourselves at the Windermere YHA which has a great location in the village of Troutbeck with views across open fields to the lake below.

Our first day started with a gentle stroll up through the village of Troutbeck.

Admiring the views from near the summit of Wansfell Pike.

We then took the main path down to Ambleside, to catch a short cruise on one of the steamers down to Bowness.

Sailing boats on Windermere with the Ambleside fells in the background as we headed into Bowness.

Well earned tea and cakes at the end of the first day, on the terrace outside the hostel, with views of Windermere in the background.

Sunday 25th May

Took the 555 Open top bus to Grasmere, then returned along Loughrigg Terrace, Ambleside, Skelghyll woods and The Mortal Man at Troutbeck.

The Rhododendrons, Azaleas and other spring flowers were fantastic, particularly in the gardens around Grasmere.

Enjoying some of the first rays of sunshine of the day on Loughrigg Terrace with views of Grasmere and the fells behind.

On the path to Ambleside.

 Jenkins Crag.  A great and well known viewpoint on the way from Ambleside to Troutbeck.

A well earned and excellent roast dinner at the Mortal Man to finish off day 2.

Monday 26th May

A walk up Sour Howes and Sallows overlooking Troutbeck.

Taking a break on the steep ascent up to Sour Howes.









Climbing up onto the grassy mound of the Summit.

Tea, cake and coffee outside the community hall, courtesy of the WI of Troutbeck village on their explore Troutbeck open day.  A very fine selection of cakes they were too.

Comments and Reviews:

theeka
Thanks Kevin and Yen - I really enjoyed the walks, the beautiful countryside, company and the delicious cakes. It was a really good weekend.
Diana
Had lots of fun hiking through the countryside and thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.
otis
I have had an amazing time! great group thank you very much Kevin and Yen ;-)
Raph
Very good group. Excellent organisation. Perfect way to discover the Lake District. 
Sharon
Great hikes, great company and great organizers!
Alice
Fabulous hosts, countryside, company and cakes.
Bernadeta
Thank you for a very well organized and so lovely weekend, Yen and Kevin.It was very nice meeting you all of you guys, such a nice group!
Andrew Fyfe
I was an excellent weekend - Kevin and Yen organised the trip very well and I had a great time in Windermere - will be going again ! 

Cycle Tour of the Hebrides

A couple of weeks ago Yen and I fulfilled an ambition from last year and completed a fantastic cycle tour of the Western Isles.

Starting in Oban on Sunday 11th May, we took the short ferry across to Craignure on the Isle of Mull and spent two days, first heading west to Iona, then up the western side to Tobermory.

Staffa

Awaiting the Ferry in Oban

After taking a short Ferry crossing to Kilchoan we then cycled up through Ardnamurchen to our next overnight stop in Mallaig.  Another glorious day with great views and great roads all the way.

Day 3 was a ride across Skye, mostly in the rain unfortunately, so not many great photo opportunities.  We were rewarded though by a stay close to the Talisker distillery at one of the best hostels we have stayed in.  The Skyewalker hostel in Portnalong is immaculately looked after and has some great pictures and sense of humour.

Next Stop was up to Uig via Portree and then on to the ferry for the crossing to Tarbet on the Isle of Harris.

Our ride from Tarbet was a real challenge aiming to get to the Leverburgh Ferry in South Harris for 11:40.  Normally a simple task of cycling 20 miles, however this made almost impossible by 30mph winds gusting to about 40mph, so after being blown off the bikes twice we pushed the last few miles so missing the ferry.  After spending a very relaxing few hours at the ferry station we eventually crossed to North Uist and by then the winds had dropped a bit, so had quite  pleasant ride in the evening sunshine to Benbecula and our hostel at Nunton House.  Another faultless hostel in immaculate condition and a very friendly and helpful host.

Our final ride of this trip was another slog into a strong headwind to the ferry at Lochboisdale, for our return trip to Oban.

A great trip and some great scenery and will definitely be back again for an extended trip next year.