Day 13: Keswick to Caldbeck

The walk to Caldbeck is unusual for pilgrims: no pub for lunch. Shelter and hot drinks are arranged at a hostel out in the wilderness. It is so small that faster walkers will have to sit outside with their mugs of tea whatever the weather. Definitely a day to pack extra snacks with your rolls. The mornings walk has a short section out of town then we climb up at a steady gradient to the north side of Latrigg hill above Keswick. The view to the south opens out even further as we follow the contours around and north into the Glenderaterra Beck valley. Watch your feet on this path as the slope to the right can be precipitous. The head of the valley opens out onto moorland; Skiddaw House YHA is in trees on the left. After lunch we descend gently along the Caldew valley. There is a chance of a drinks stop as we touch on the road end from Mosedale. The next valley turns into a brisk climb up to a tiny bothy on the skyline (welcome shelter in rough weather). Turning north again takes us over rolling fells until the view stretches to Carlisle and beyond. Down off the fells, onto farm lanes takes us to the hall on tired feet.

Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 13

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Keswick Youth Hostel (white building with balcony on left) Howard Buxton

Southey Street Methodist Church after our Eucharist Aidan Simons

Enjoying tea and coffee before the off - with a rather miserable weather forecast. Aidan Simons

Service with a smile :) Aidan Simons

Passing Keswick War Memorial Aidan Simons

First view of today's hills - topped with cloud that threatens to wet us. Aidan Simons

Oh front markers, haven't you studied the code on how to pin arrows? #schoolboyerror Aidan Simons

View towards Bassenthwaite lake - and clouds... Aidan Simons

Skirting Lonscale Fell - the rain has started. Aidan Simons

Crossing (by stepping stones as far as possible) one of the many streams that run off the fell towards Glenderaterra Beck Aidan Simons

Pilgrimage 2012 grey today John Chenery Original Tweet

Pilgrimage 2012 looking back to Derwent Water John Chenery Original Tweet

That's where the water's coming from... Aidan Simons

Are we supposed to be enjoying this or enduring it? Aidan Simons

Some streams are easier to cross. Aidan Simons

Lunch was at Skiddaw House Youth Hostel - they provided hot drinks and shelter, we brought our rolls and wet clothes! Aidan Simons

Pilgrimage 2012 Our lunch stop today, Skiddaw House Youth Hostel, welcome sight on damp high-altitude day John Chenery Original Tweet

Pilgrimage 2012 Prayer stop in the hostel John Chenery Original Tweet

After lunch it's a little brighter and the heather looks beautiful Aidan Simons

We cross then follow the River Caldew for several miles Aidan Simons

Looking back towards Skiddaw House Aidan Simons

A sheep pen: we were due to have an open-air prayer stop at one of these pens, but in view of the weather Caroline gave her reflection in the comfort of the hostel at lunchtime Aidan Simons

Roger is inspirational - happy smile whatever the weather Aidan Simons

The first afternoon stage consisted of showers, some heavy, with occassional brightness. We were all wrapped up, as we were not generating much heat on the long shallow descent. Aidan Simons

Pilgrimage 2012 view back towards hostel John Chenery Original Tweet

Marie too keeps going, uncomplaining, whatever the weather. Aidan Simons

"all around the blooming heather" - the original words to the tune we use for the Magnificat, and this scenery makes you want to sing for the beauty of creation. Aidan Simons

Pilgrimage 2012 John Chenery Original Tweet

We carried stones to place in a cairn at the prayer stops Aidan Simons

# Pilgrimage 2012 End of road to Mosedale and here Aid and Bridget leave us. John Chenery Original Tweet

Pilgrimage 2012 Co-ordinator makes it to the top of High Pike. Jonathan Gamble Original Tweet

Pilgrimage 2012 Driving wind, rain, hail and sleet all experienced at the top of High Pike. Jonathan Gamble Original Tweet

Pilgrimage 2012 Maurice safely over the top coming out of the rain. Jonathan Gamble Original Tweet

Pilgrimage 2012 Mike climbs the cairn for the extra few feet. Jonathan Gamble Original Tweet

Pilgrimage 2012 Arrived! John Chenery Original Tweet