Wainwrights achieved- 2 Whin Rigg and Illgill Head

The weather wasn’t quite as promised – a bit cloudy and much more humid. However, when we arrived at Wasdale Lake, the water was a mirror. Showcasing the surrounding peaks, the scene was similar to a 3D cubist painting – completely stunning and a suitable finale to our last day.

Our hike to Whin Rigg took us up a steep but winding trail, much less taxing than any of our previous walks. The actual summit of it wasn’t easy to work out so we took photos in two places, just to make sure.

While having our first snack stop at the top, we saw two fighter planes whizzing through the valley below. I know they practise flying regularly but the war in Ukraine has heightened for me the sense of uncertainty in the world and the thought that these pilots and their planes could be used in anger at any time is frightening. All the more reason to savour our peace and freedoms right now and be grateful for what we do have rather than what we don’t have.

Illgill Head was also a somewhat ambiguous peak but we settled on what we thought was the highest point and took our picture of the last Wainwright of the week.

Our hike back to the car was along the lakeside where we marvelled at the contrast between the benign top of Illgill Head compared to the plunging side of it that looks as if it crashes straight down into the lake.

We also got another look at Yew Barrow which reminded me of the saying “ignorance is bliss” and that the upward scramble we did was really rather closer to the edge than I thought.

And so it ends. A belly busting dinner of scampi and chips (Steve bought way too much scampi which we then felt obliged to eat) followed by Joanna Lumley in Rome and our week in the Southern Lakes is over. 13 Wainwrights achieved, but even more importantly batteries recharged and a welcome break in glorious Spring sunshine.

My final quote from Wainwright:

“Oh, how can I put into words the joys of a walk over country such as this; the scenes that delight the eyes, the blessed peace of mind, the sheer exuberance which fills your soul as you tread the firm turf? This is something to be lived, not read about. On these breezy heights, a transformation is wondrously wrought within you.”