A Short Visit to Keswick

We had a couple of hours in Keswick today: walking down to the lake and through the town; stopping off for lunch in Abraham's Cafe in George Fisher (jacket potatoes with salad and cheese with excellent Americano coffees, and now dog-friendly like the rest of the shop, so Brock was pleased); a quick browse in the Oxfam, where I bought some embroidery threads; and food shopping in Booths.

Here are some of the photos that I took on my mobile (I forgot my camera :o/). The light was very atmospheric, with low cloud, but bright sun.

Lots of wildfowl, as usual, attracted by the people feeding them.

Latrigg Walk, Keswick

Rob, Brock and I had an enjoyable walk around Latrigg, near Keswick today.

The weather was perfect - warm, still, dry and sunny with some dramatic clouds about.

We passed some models and a photographer taking photographs on a photo shoot, no doubt for some outdoor gear company.

We drive up to the car park near the summit and take a circular walk of about 1.5 miles. There is an easy path to follow, with a few hilly parts to climb, and the views are amazing.

Afterwards, we had lunch in the Chalet Tearoom at Portinscale (dog friendly). There was a market on in Keswick town centre, and we always like to have a browse in the Oxfam and pet food store. I bought some beads, embroidery threads and vintage pinking shears in the former. Booths supermarket was our final port of call, for some top-up groceries. I still haven't got used to the new layout!

More Autumn Colour - Eaglesfield and Latrigg, Keswick Walks

Here are some photos Rob took on our walk at Eaglesfield today.

And from the day before up Latrigg in the Lake District, near (and looking down over) Keswick. A cold day with some snow still on the mountain tops.

We were glad to get back to the car and off to Abraham's Cafe for lunch!

Keswick Walk and Lunch at Treeby's Restaurant

We had a day out on Friday to celebrate Rob's birthday (a day early!). We did a four mile (two hour) walk near Keswick. It is walk number 3 in Countryside Dog Walks: Lake District - North (ISBN 9780957372238).

 The first part of the walk takes you along the shore of Derwentwater, with some great views of the mountains.

The second stage of the walk includes quite an uphill trek through woodland. You get some lovely views of the lake from the top of the hill.

We had lunch afterwards at a new place for us: Treeby's Gallery Cafe. 

Rob had a cheese and tomato omelette with fries; I had the mozzarella salad shown above (Rob has swapped some of the olives for a piece of his omelette!). The food was pretty good (the only minor irritations were that I had to pick over the rocket and remove a couple of brown/mouldy pieces, and that I was unable to have the bread with the salad because they don't stock gluten free). We also had a cup of coffee each, which was a fairly small cup, and standard in taste. The service was reasonably fast and friendly, even though it was very busy. We had to sit at a small high table on high stools. Although we didn't indulge, the cakes looked fabulous. I would recommend it as long as you don't need gluten free food. The bill came to £19.

Portinscale and Keswick Trip

Rob, Brock and I had a walk from Portinscale, via Ullock, along Newlands Beck, past the Swinside Inn and Hawse End and back towards Portinscale past Lingholm and Nichol End. The walk is about 4.5 miles long, over fairly flat and even ground. You can find the same walk in the Footprint guide: Walks Around Keswick, Number 13.

Before we set out, we had coffee and a cake at The Chalet Tearoom and Restaurant in Portinscale. We both enjoyed what we had and might go back for a lunch or dinner another time.

[Click on any photo to see a larger version. You can just make out people on the mountain ridge shown in the third photo!]

We drove into Keswick afterwards for lunch at The Lakeland Peddlar, only to find that it had gone (three weeks ago, the waitress told us), and a new restaurant, Maxwells, was in its place. Since they allowed dogs, we decided to give it a go.

I had the mezze platter £8.45 (including, hummus, feta pate, tsatskiki, olives etc with gluten free bread option)

Rob had the Ploughman's £8.50.

As you can see there was plenty to eat. I found the dips and felafels on mine a little bland - more garlic, lemon juice, herbs or spice required, I think, but it was great to be able to have gluten free bread, and the coleslaw and curried potatoes were nice. Rob's Ploughman's came with loads of cheese, salad, onion relish (again a little bland), and balsamic vinegar pickled onions, which were tasty.

Other menu items included soup, sandwiches, tapas and seafood options.

I prefer The Abrahams Tea Room in George Fisher, however, this has the advantage of allowing dogs, which is useful during the warmer weather.

Brock at Rockcliffe and Views of Derwentwater, Keswick

In February, we had a day out to Kippford and Rockcliffe and Rob managed to capture this picture of Brock on the beach. Happy Birthday to Brock, who was four years old on 1 March.

Yesterday, we went for a walk by Derwentwater in Keswick. It was a still and sunny day. The reflections of clouds on the water were quite breathtaking. [Click on any photo to see a larger version.]

 One of Rob's photos

One of my photos

Lunch was at the Abraham's Tea Room in the George Fisher shop. The food there is always fresh, healthy, plentiful and tasty. The staff are friendly and helpful and it is a pleasure to visit. Rob had the 'special' yesterday, which included roasted cauliflower and other vegetables in a cheese sauce, served with a side salad and fresh bread and butter. I ate the jacket potato served with avocado and tomato salsa and side salad. With a coffee and a mineral water, the bill came to just over £20. One of the best places to eat in Keswick!

Friars Crag & Calfclose Bay Walk, Keswick

Rob, Brock and I had another day out in Keswick. We seem to keep ending up there recently because there are so many places that welcome dogs, which is useful in hot weather.

The walk is 3.5 miles long and is very flat, with just a few muddy sections - fine for walking shoes/boots. There are some magnificent views of Derwentwater and the attractive bays and islands around the lake, with the backdrop of mountains. [Please click on the photos to see a larger version.]

This boulder of Borrowdale volcanic rock was split and carved 

by Peter Randall-Page to commemorate the National Trust's centenary in 1995. 

It is partially covered by water when the lake is fuller.

We drove a way out of Keswick on the Windermere road to have lunch at a pub called The Kings Head. We sat outside in a shady spot on the terrace area with Brock, and had our lunch: a bog standard cheese sandwich and chips, followed by sticky toffee pudding for Rob; jacket potato and cheese followed by ice cream for me, with two drinks the bill came to just over £27. The other vegetarian choices were:- a lentil and root vegetable hot pot (£12), or a pasta dish - both a bit too heavy for a sunny day, lunchtime meal. Both of the staff serving were friendly and nice, but the food was very average, so I wouldn't rush back.

 Smiling, despite an empty glass...

Brock looking longingly at a chip

Views From Latrigg, Near Keswick

Rob, Brock and I had a pleasant walk on Latrigg, a fell near Keswick in the Lake District, yesterday. You can walk from the town centre: see this walk for an example; or park near the summit and do a less steep, circular walk from there. The parking area is extremely busy and the access road is in an appalling state of repair and very steep - so be warned!

I think that this is one of the easiest walks with the best return in lovely views! For that reason, it is very popular, so there are always lots of people about.

Keswick on a Misty December Day

Rob, Brock and I went to Keswick today and enjoyed a walk by Derwentwater. It was a dark and misty day, with very few people about. The lake was very calm and beautiful. Here are a few of the photos we took:-

Catbells Walk, English Lake District

Rob and I went on a walk up the mountain called Catbells, near Keswick in the Lake District yesterday.

A similar walk (Walk 17) can be found in the book below.

A view of Derwent Water as we start to climb.

Approaching the peak. Erk! Looks quite steep. There is a section of rock outcropping that you have to scramble over.

Views from the summit over the valley. I think the roses in the foreground must have been a memorial for someone.

Another view from the top, with Bassenthwaite on the top left and the end of Derwent Water to the right.

Coming back down to earth to walk along the base, next to the lake.

Here is a photo that I took of Catbells from Latrigg in January 2008. The ridge looks impossible to walk along at that distance! It is apparently named for the wildcats that used to live there in the past.