This day was meant to be ‘easy’. Gentle 5km climb over into Wasdale Beck, gentle walk along Wast Water. In fact the ‘climb’ into Wasdale was 350m, and hot. The start of the climb was the train line, so Paul wasted 20 mins waiting for a train – kept on ‘peeping’ it’s whistle – which induced a frenzy of action in Paul, but then.. no train. Eventually it arrived for the photo opportunity Phew!
The peace around here is piercing. Nothing, then skylarks, then nothing, then a group of F15 jets practicing taking out the sheep on the side of the fell. Over in a blink but odd, as we hadn’t thought about outside events almost at all. Have we been invaded? Probably not, but good to have a few of those jets on our side.
The walk up Wast Water should have been peaceful. In fact a bit of a pain- hot, hard on the feet and lots of cars. Many parked in the smallest hole. We hear later that emergency services couldn’t get through because of these cars: bloody idiots. Hope they were ritually humiliated in a significant way.
The Wasdale Head Inn – humming spot. Access to some of the highest peaks with a campsite and its heaving here with families, fell runners and youth groups. Busy bar serving hearty grub (best Lakeland lamb chops) and a good bottle of wine. We’ve become less discerning about our rooms – a bed is perfect.
We ordered Lamb chops and a lamb shank. Then felt a bit guilty having seen so many live versions of our supper all week. They do have better lives than many sheep, so we gave thanks, and tucked in.
Tomorrow we go over Black Sail, a bit daunting, and rain forecast. Bring it on!
Paul and Linda Cycle 
Looks a really good trip. I have often noticed that the “easy” days are more taxing than expected but equally the ones you anticipate with caution are often not as hard as expected. I hope that is so for today.
Don’t feel guilty about eating the local lamb because if nobody bought it the sheep would not be farmed there and Lakeland landscapes would change beyond recognition. Mmmm… I think it is your civic duty to eat as much of the local lamb as you can!!
Please continue to post, I’m loving following your trip.
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There are so many sheep in the fells with their little black lambs. Im worried when I’ve seen a little lost one calling plaintively and, yes, I’ve also enjoyed, hugely, the grilled cutlets! Maybe it should be more of a treat and priced appropriately- would so much rather have Lakeland than New Zealand. Lucky us to have the options!
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