As I’m now above the age where a woman as old as myself would be able to get her state pension I qualify for a “Bus Pass” – ie a little card that give me free bus travel throughout England. I’ve had it for a while but never used it – but this was the day!
We caught the 08:50 bus from Keswick to Rosthwaite with plans to walk back to Keswick via the High Spy – Catbells ridge. I presented my pass and was awarded with a free ticket whilst Linda, being younger than me, had to pay. I tried to resist the smile, but failed.
From Rosthwaite village we headed west through fields and followed paths near Tongue Gill up to the Rigghead quarries. The last few hundred yards get pretty steep and we struggled in the heat but eventually we came out onto the ridge. Ahead of us were the cliffs of Dale Head but we turned right and climbed to the top of High Spy with it’s distinctive beehive cairn. Views from here are extensive and you can see most of the highest fells circled around.
We took a short detour off the ridge path to take an early lunch sitting above Blea Crag before walking easily to Maiden Moor where views north to Keswick open up. From here there is a long and eroded descent before the climb up to the crowded summit of Catbells. Up and over that and down onto Skelgill Bank before the final descent to the road and a very welcome ice cream.
The walk back to Keswick from here is about 2.5 miles, firstly through woods, then roads through Portinscale and finally across fields to the town.
