Catbells

Words cannot adequately describe the rare charm of Catbells, or its ravishing view. But no publicity is necessary: its mere presence in the Derwent Water scene is enough. It has a bold 'come hither' look that compels one's steps, and no suitor ever returns disappointed, but only looking back often.

Younger daughter admiring weather and view on Catbells

So says the mighty Alfred Wainwright. So undeterred by a dodgy left knee we decided to take the girls for their first lakeland fell walk.  Catbells was the perfect choice. It's gorgeous, it's not too high or hard to get up and it's mentioned in the Tale of Mrs Tiggywinkle by Beatrix Potter. Lot's of searching for the little wooden door to occupy the girls. We had such a great time. The weather was changeable but didn't spoil anything. You could actually watch the rain approaching in great hazy curtains sometimes from more than one direction.

At the summit of Catbells

I was fine going up  but coming down was not nice. Knee painful and came down in a weird Quasimodo style fashion. Realised that it was time we all got some decent walking footwear as I clearly need something to absorb the shocks coming downhill and the girl's trainers aren't really tough enough.