October 2000
Travelled Saturday 29 October 2000

We stayed at Grasmere View Cottage, Dale End which provides accommodation for two; the views across Grasmere are superb

This was the week of near hurricane force gales in the south, floods along the Severn Valley & the River Ouse and generally very wet weather everywhere.  Having kept a watchful eye on Tony's Lakeland Cam, we knew that the water levels were already running high but being ever optimistic, were hopeful of some better weather - no such luck.  The week will be remembered for it's inclement conditions varying from very occasional sunny spells through rain, hail, sleet & snow above 2,000 feet.

On the plus side, the variety in colours on the trees was truly breathtaking and came alive during those brief spells of sunshine which nearly always seemed to be accompanied by at least one rainbow.

It also confirmed that our wet weather gear kept out most of moisture so whilst it was wet on the outside, we remained reasonably dry on the inside.

Snow above 2,000 feet had it's mixed blessings, within 'spitting' distance of the summit of Sergeant Man, the cloud base suddenly dropped leaving us somewhat unsure of our immediate location.  Compass bearing were followed and the line of metal posts descending into Far Easedale were spotted to confirm our route for decent.  By contrast, near artic conditions on Fairfield, again in low cloud, didn't pose quite the same feeling of 'being lost';  a GPS compass might well be my next purchase.