Not too early a start for the drive to have a walk in Grizedale forest. The drive was just under 90 minutes for us. Straight up the M61/M6 and off at Junction 38 before heading deeper into the Lake District. Today’s drive was a little longer than normal due to road works on the A590 just before you get to Sizergh.
We were heading for the Grizedale visitor centre with ample parking but at a cost. However, there is a layby about half a mile walk from the main carpark. Oh no it looks like the Forestry Commision have cottoned on to the free layby. As they’ve placed logs blocking access. Ah well let’s go and pay. The pay station at the visitor’s centre offered an online method of paying if you did this within 48hrs. OK by me.
Coats packed in my rucksack but not sure if we’ll need them as the weather looks reasonable. We headed off in search of the ‘White Markers’
The walk
We had a bit of a climb out and away from the car park which Michele did not like. ‘she does not like hills’ as she politely told me! Ah well onwards and upwards. The walk was a pleasant one and it was OK for Michele once she’d got over the four short climbs and on to the forest tracks that gradually climbed. At the highest point of the walk you come across Grizedale Tarn. The tarn is the only natural pool of water in the forest. Then it was a gradual walk downhill back towards the Visitor Centre. We did not see many other people on the walk. 3-4 other couples and a couple of cyclists using the forest tracks.
Back down at the Visitors Centre was the reward of a coffee while we sat in the afternoon sun.
Late Afternoon
After the walk we drove into Ambleside and spent some time walking around the variety of shops. Michele treated herself to some new rain boots along with a flavoured gin. Good job I was designated driver as she had to have a couple of tasters.
Ambleside was busy. All the shops we went into were adhering to the Covid-19 restrictions currently imposed by our government. Even the bars on the high street appeared to be doing OK for business. There were a number of people out enjoying the early evening sunshine.
By the time we got home Lewis had prepared our evening meal for us of fish with sweet potato wedges. Josh as normal did not eat with us as he was off out to see his mate Rob.
