Lake District Sat 28th Sept - 5th Oct 2013
So we booked a week at the Derwent Water Marina apartments in Portinscale.
A 1 bed apartment for just over £300 for the week (7 nights), good value.
We had spotted these apartments earlier in the year whilst passing through Portinscale on a cycle ride, and picked up a leaflet.
Having spent a short time in Keswick after driving over we arrived at the apartments just before 4pm, picked up the key from the marina office and unpacked.
The view a few hours earlier lakeside in Keswick - nice day!!
The view (above) from the apartment front out onto the marina.
The marina as you may expect is a berth for boats, mainly sailing boats, and also hires out canoes, small sailboats etc..... The apartments are right on the waterfront with good views across Derwentwater and the surrounding fells.
There are only a few apartments, 3 in a row on a lower level and a much larger family apartment at higher (road) level.
The apartment is open plan as you can see with reasonable size double bed, small kitchenette and a shower room. The kitchen has a microwave combi, and a 2 ring electric hob, but no grill or proper oven. There was sufficient storage/cupboard space though. There is a small dining table and small TV on a swing out bracket.
Having settled in, we took a short stroll around, finding a grassy path leading off form the main roadway and towards the lake.
There were several paths leading off in a few directions, one to the Derwent Manor Hotel further back into Portinscale. The path leads onto the back garden area of the hotel complete with pond. This leads out the onto the road and passing the hotel there is a dead-end for cars, butr a pedestrian bridge, leading to a long straight path into Keswick.
The walk into Keswick is about 20-25 mins. from the apartments.
Sue did spot a deer on our way back crossing the grassy path near the marina. I was not quick enough to see it and it disappeared into the trees.
The only downside with the apartment was that we were in no.2, the one in the middle, and the TV mounted on the wall of No.1 apartment could be heard VERY plainly through the wall..... book No.1 or no.3!!
Sunday 29th September - Elterwater
Pathfinder Guide: Central Lakeland - Elterwater Walk#11
6.6 Miles, 3.5 Hours
We woke to a pretty decent Sunday morning, enjoyed a bacon sarnie, and deciden upon a short-ish walk in an area we had not visited near the Langdale Pikes.
Though a decentish drive away (40 mins or so) and in a pretty secluded area we parked alongside the road near the village of Elterwater, already busy by 10:30 when we arrived.
Booted up we headed for the village (about half a mile from where we parked) and went right through, past a car park (already full) and along the river path taking us to Elterwater itself and the skirting the edge of the lake.
The rather ornate stone bridge at the beginning of this path.
Quite a busy path on a Sunday, with plenty of families and dog walkers.
Eventually the path gives way to lesser distinctive paths through woodland and a path to Colwith Force waterfall
Here we rested for a while with some fruit and enjoyed the quiter environment away from the busier pathways.
Onward through ascending woodland tracks we eventually exited the woods and more open spaces and High Park Farm. A blackboard advertised refreshments, so we entered the garden of the stone cottage (a National Trust listed building), and the owners offered tea/coffee/cake in their wonderful garden and views over to the fells. All very pleasant. (and only £1 per drink!)
We could have sat for longer but decided to move on suitably refreshed and the views coming down the narrow lane away from the farm were stunning.
Soon after we arrived at Slater Bridge, a very unique stone packhorse bridge in two parts, very ancient and in an absolutkley wonderful setting. You cannot help lingering here!!
A short uphill section over rocky paths.....................
Followed by a little bit too long and monotonous downhill section over a very rocky path, and we were soon back in Elterwater village again
All in all a very pleasant walk, despite no altitude or Wainwright fellage, but just enjoy the views around of the higher fells. Sometimes, a low level valley walk can be just as pleasing as the higher fells.
Our Walks score: 7/10
Monday 30th September 2013
Portinscale to Threlkeld Cycle ride
(along old Keswick Railway path) 12.7 Miles
Another decent day beginning with another bacon sarnie and a cycle ride from the marina along cycle path/tracks adjacent the A66. Then finding the old railway path (wheeling bikes up steps at churchyard) and up onto the embankment.
The path is pretty good at the Keswick end and there are several wooden bridges to cross (watch out for pedestrians, best to dismount for those bits). Then the path becomes a bit more woodland like through to Threlkeld.
Approaching Threlkeld depart from the path near a bridge and up onto the cycle path adjacent the main A66. After a few hundred yards swing a left onto the road into the village (bit steep here) and after about a mile and well into the village, the wonderful Horse and Farrier Pub.
Enjoyed a pint of Jennings and the view across to Blencathra, checked out the food menu for evening meals - and yes we did come back one evening.
Good food, good beer and good service, what more can anyone want! Recommended!
Enjoyed the ride back to Keswick by the same route
We perused Keswick town centre and then headed off out of Keswick to the Filling Station cafe for a huge burger and sweet potato fries - Nnniiiice!!
Nice light and views of the fells on the cycle path back to Portinscale.
And... back at the marina!
Our Cycle Ride Score: 7/10
The next day we headed off for Manchester as we had booked to see Fleetwood Mac and the Arena there. Did not manage any pictures, but what a show, 3 hours and 2 encores, all the rumours favourites, great show! Overnight in Holiday Inn Express there, and a day shopping at the Trafford Centre befroe heading back to the Lakes.
Unfortunately the rest of the week was niot so great as the weather turned, so a bit of driving around general sight-seeing and shops was the order of things for the rest of our stay.
A good varied week though with the Manchester show in the middle!
