Lake District

Day 1 - Hellvelyn

Written by Shannon Kempson-Byrne

After trundling our way up the M6 on Tuesday, where maximum G's were felt by all during a pit-stop in Knutsford, our first full day of walking was ahead of us...

The morning began being awaken by Peter's well known 'I got you babe' alarm around 7am, followed by everyone rolling out of bed to get ready for the day. A sandwich and breakfast station was prepared downstairs while myself and Peter made a quick run to Booths (where he ‘did not’ write Harry’s birthday card in the van) before setting off around 9am.

Upon arrival to the bottom of Hellvelyn, there were a range of different reactions to seeing the steep 950 meters we were about to climb. While ascending, we were gifted with bright sunshine and great weather, resulting in the many layers of clothing we brought with us being returned to our bags, and more layers of sun cream being applied - although some of us didn't quite stick to that; *cough* Martin *cough*. Despite the blistering heat, we continued to venture to the top of the mountain, with some racing up and others taking their own leisurely pace and the remainder dawdling in the middle.

The views of the nearby mountains and the Thirlmere lake provided us with great views to admire as well as the occasional sight of low flying military jets above us. Upon arrival at the top of the mountain at roughly 11:15, those at the front decided it was time for lunch, so we all took a seat and began to eat, awaiting Peter’s reaction to his large singular dollop of mustard in only the centre of his sandwich packed by Harry C and Tom. Once we had finished lunch, Alex, Harry C and Elliott decided to make full use of the zip-offs and get their calves out for the flag photo, resulting in a short debate about the length of Harry's shorts.

We then began the decent down the mountain, being spolit by even more great views and the as always ‘interesting’ conversations while 4 of us attempted to teach Peter how to walk down a mountain. About halfway down Harry began picking up the pace as he was all too ready for a quick trip to the pub for a half pint before his birthday meal at yet another pub.

Reaching the end of what seemed like a never-ending path, we finally arrived at The King’s Head Inn for a swift pint where we were greeted by the arrival of Harry T. After a drink or two we headed back to the bunkhouse to get ready to go out to the Swinside Inn which this time unfortunately didn't have the infamous red pepper soup.

All in all, it was a great 13.12 km hike with a 1,012 m elevation gain and lovely weather, with a rewarding meal at the end of the night.

Day 2 - Fairfield Horseshoe

Written by Matthew Armour

The day kicked off with the classic 3-stage wake up alarm procedure – wake up needing a wee, wake up when the sun streams blindingly in, and finally roll out of bed when Peter’s alarm wakes all but himself up.

With legs tired from defeating Helvellyn the day before, a nice pootle around Derwent water was just what everyone needed. However, this was not to be, and instead Wayfarers decided on a two-pronged assault on the fells, with group one taking a slightly shorter route around Loughrigg fell, and group two tackling one of Wainwright’s favourites: Fairfield Horseshoe.

Starting at Rydal the groups parted ways. After a swift and steep initial ascent, the Horseshoe group spied a wild group of wandering Wayfarers in the valley below, and group one unfurled the flag for a fabulously low-quality photograph with the aid of Martin’s big lens. By early afternoon the group reached the peak of Fairfield via Heron Pike and Great Rigg, and enjoyed a windy second lunch safe in the knowledge that the lower group were gorging themselves in Grasmere Gingerbread shop. As the April sun beat down the lengthy decent was begun, with Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Peak and Low Peak falling along the way.

After Peter resisted George’s mayhem causing suggestion to lob the minibus keys off Low Pike, a wearisome group convened at the minibus, before collecting the much sprightlier Alex Brasher and his gang from Ambleside.

Upon return to the barn, Ellie and Will got cracking on a wonderful chilli con and non carne under the managerial supervision of project managers Brightling and Curtis, whilst George got cracking on a bottle of Ballycastle. Having conquered the £3.50 bottle of ‘Baileys’ propping up was required, and his later antics should have been foreseen. With most a little merry, a fun evening was enjoyed by all. As the early hours were reached things got a little silly, with numerous drinks spiked with bourbon biscuits and a healthy dose of mooning from the Wayfarer’s not so learned geography teacher. Bed was thus called upon as Friday dawned.

Day 3 - The Keswick Pootle

Written by Harry Thompson

Waking at a recent Wayfarers record of 09:00, the usual breakfasting, office using and lamb watching resumed, with some more keen than others, we set out our plan for the day - a more relaxed pootle towards and around Keswick; although this wasn't the plan for us all...

For the majority of us, we set out from the bunkhouse with a waypoint in mind: the delightful village hall in Threlkeld we proudly converted into a flood refuge centre; this destination was never met however. Instead, the route took us along a disused railway (thanks be to Lord Beeching), crossing the River Greta many a time. Sites along the way included the 'Best Civil Engineering Structure of the Century' (a concrete bridge...), many meanders and suitable information boards to go with it, making it an engineers, geographers, and tourists idea of heaven!

Once in Keswick, the group split, with some making for 'Jan's Lakeland Sandwich Shop' for a delightful, hand-made sandwich, whilst others made for 'Laura in the Lakes' where the mutual love for red onion marmalade was born. The afternoon consisted of every outdoor lovers dream - a wander through every single outdoor shop, marvelling at all the wonderous items on sale; highlights included a £650 bag from Osprey and a £140 gilet by Acterx on 20% off!?! As what seems to be tradition when staying in the barn, "a single to Dale Bottom please" was repeated by all, £5.10 was tapped and we were on our way back to the barn courtesy of Stagecoach - little did we know that we were being ripped off massively...

The arrival of the Wayfarers resident "old man in the corner" in his dinner jacket was followed by a spot of cricket in the farmers field, with the evening seeminly drawing to a close with fajitas and Tommy's infamous chocolate orange cheesecake - although the best was yet to come.

During all of the Keswick happenings, 2/3rds of 'Brightling and Sons Removals' decided they wanted a day away from the rest of the group, to instead spend it roaming the Lakes by bus - courtesy of the comfort of Stagecoach. £12 was all it cost to travel 130 miles, reaching the highs of the Kirkstone Pass Inn, the lows of Penrith Bus Station, and all the love and care in between. Gins were drank, food was not eaten, meaning when the rest of the group started to make contact once again, replies were limited. Brightling and Smith were eventually located in the only pub in Cockermouth to have a front door, whereby they were heckled by some youths, leading them to plot a course for the X5 bus back to Keswick.

In 'Hunted' style, they were tracked, and eventually found and papped, arms flailing in the back of the bus in Thornthwaite. Another brilliant day rounded off with many a-story to tell.

Day 4 - Great Gable (almost) and Buttermere

Written by Elliott Wright

Waking in a delirium later than usual, we made our way downstairs for another day of simple breakfasting and lunch making. I gave Ethan a great fright by making eye contact with him, staring at him wide-eyed while pretending to be asleep. In my defense, I was just being Gandalf.

After we had booted up and George had flashed us, we embarked on the Brightling Bus. Today we were to conquer Great Gable, and I for one was quite excited.

A few regal waves and stallings of the minibus later and we were in the Honiston Slate Mine car park at the base of the mountain. From there, we climbed a little, where one group ascended the mountain at a much greater pace (Teller pace), however, on our approach to Windy Gap, we were hit with 70 mph winds. As such, I was almost blown off the mountain, saved only by recreating the 'Jack, I'm flying' scene from Titanic. Taking refuge upon a plateau, our company had a council, deciding to abandon our mission. As we left, I called to Ethan, telling him we should take the Mines of Moria.

Regrouping with the others, lunch was engulfed in a matter of bites. We played dead for a while for comedic effect, then continued rambling, our course now changed to Buttermere. I became quite nostalgic, noticing the Bothie where a rather strange man lamented the whitewashing of the Bothie walls surrounded by jars of his urine during our past trip to the Lakes. Buttermere shone beautifully as we descended the mountain, under the blue sky. Soon, we were having ice-creams and basking in the sun.

As I pootled around Buttermere, I found myself engaged in a lively, civilised conversation with Will and Matthew "that's Amore" Armour about current affairs. This led nicely to quick trip to one of Buttermere's pubs, followed by a trip to Keswick Booths. I bought some smelly blue cheese which was later scoffed outside the barn along with Teller's cheese and Peter's grapes.

George and Rab Harry left for home once we returned to the barn, shaking my hand and wishing me well. Then the drinking really began. I had enough to mean I had a good night without getting hungover, so I was chipper. Shannon, however, did not do the same, proceeding to have 9 or more drinks before having to be carried up to bed. Amore gave us a lovely rendition of "I Want To Break Free" in the blonde wig, holding Henry the Hoover, while Alex drank 8 cans of cider - the perfect end to a classic Wayfarers day. And that was Saturday.

Day 5 - Morecombe Bay

Written by Harry Curtis

After Saturday saw a long hike, Harry T and George’s departure and a jolly evening, we had a little lie in and then cracked on with a mighty cleaning effort. Thank you to everyone who helped with all the washing up and hoovering, it was a big job to get all those crumbs up and wash up all the cheese plates.

Once the keys were handed back, and we had packed the luggage high into the minibus, we set off on a short walk up Walla Crag, based on Ellie’s purchases in Keswick earlier in the week. Despite only being a short walk, the incline was a real challenge after such a great week of hiking (and after so much red wine). We were rewarded with a lovely view of some of the hills we’d been up during the week. We then descended the picturesque Cat Gill to the pebbly beaches of Derwent Water. Once we had retrieved Shannon and Peter, and we’d all sampled the vegan coffee car it was time to head home after a great week.

To break up the journey we had a short stop at the Lancashire coastal town of Morecambe, mainly so we could finally obtain the subject of everyone’s favourite song, “Chippy Tea” by the Lancashire Hotpots. I was also happy to subject Teller and Will, both children of the Home Counties, to some real northern interactions in Rita’s Café. Once full of grub and strong tea we headed back onto the M6 for the last stint south.

The bus was full of tired but happy wayfs, after a fun and challenging week in some of the most impressive countryside in the UK. Thank you to everyone that made it so fun, and especially Peter for driving us all the way.