Friday

Charlie, Simon & Tim head for Keswick, with sat nav saying M6 route was quickest. During the journey, the car started making a vibration noise at high speed - then at lower speeds. We left the motorway to investigate and discovered a section of streamlining split and flapping. We continued for a bit but it became persistent so we found a truck stop and Simon rang Audi Assist.

While waiting for The AA, we had a cup of tea ...

When we heard they were delayed, we had a pint and game of pool ...

The friendly patrolman arrived ...

... and cut off the flappy bit.

After dumping stuff and leaving the cars at the cottage, we all met at The Riverside Bar, Scafell Hotel, Rosthwaite ... and, after 2 years, we were all back together, in the flesh. We were shocked to learn that it was residents only for food - but after some gentle Piercy persuasion, they agreed to serve us.

The Usual Suspects

During the evening, 3 of us had surprises ...

Surprise 1 - The kitty had £55 in it from 2 years ago!

Surprise 2 - Steve's hair is LONG!

Surprise 3 - Coombe Ghyll is now blessed with quality WiFi!

Later, because neither Simon or Charlie brought their high-quality playing cards, they had to use the ones they hastily bought earlier at the motorway services.

Saturday

A cracking day.

We head up the valley to Glaramara.

The Usual Suspects

When Charlie saw waterfalls, he had to go down and investigate.      (Video)

Who do these two happy chappies remind you of?

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~~~ INTERMISSION ~~~

Fungi Gallery

~~~ END ~~~

... and now back to the main feature ...

If Steve was on Tinder, this would be his profile picture ...

Just to prove we really did experience a very rare thing ... a sunny day in Borrowdale.

At this point, the slowest two guys decide to no longer hold-up the rest and form a splinter group ...

... leaving the main bunch to head for the summit ...

The Man in the Middle

Dave & Charlie had to dodge swamps ...

... and cross several rock scrambles and streams ...

As we look up, we can just make out the main group going over the horizon.

The splinter group stop for lunch in the sun and, after a couple of attempts, manage to get the camera to stay still on a rock long enough to get a selfie.

Meanwhile, the main group were also having lunch - which means it must be time for ...

Piercy Pot Noodle Pic

(Photo courtesy of Tim Spate)

At this point, the slowest member of the main group let the remaining three form the summit group - and they made it.

(Photo courtesy of Pete Smith)

Waterfall slow-mo!      (Video)

Heading back.

Multi-coloured sheep.

Home in sight.

In the evening we head into Keswick for beer and curry (after convincing Dave it was alright to eat in a "3 circle" restaurant).

Who realised that there is a knife & fork hiding in plain sight on the rating sign?

Sunday

We take a leisurely stroll to Derwent Water.

Simon NEARLY takes a tumble.      (Video)

Eco pods.

As always, at 11am we stopped to observe two minutes silence of remembrance.

The stepping stones were mostly covered today - Charlie fakes an attempted crossing.

Dave finds an establishment at which he'd be happy to eat - unfortunately, it's closed.

We stop for a rest at Grange.

Then we head for the lake.

The only red squirrel we saw all day.

Bottoms-up at swan lake.

Having arrived at the southern end of Derwent Water, we stop for lunch.

At this point we decide to head back to Grange to catch the bus home ... and meet these beauties.

We have some light refreshments while we wait for the bus.

The Usual Suspects

Simon hooks us up with live viewing of the Brazilian Grand Prix from Sau Paulo, which Lewis Hamilton wins from 10th on the grid.

Later, we have a cracking night at The Langstrath - excellent service (from "Henry" the Hungarian), quality food & drink and, of course, superb company.

Upon return we finish a game of Botheration, started earlier. Pete had won the first game but Simon managed to grab the second.

Monday

The previous mornings, we had been blessed with Chef Pete's excellent breakfast but today it was Steve who stepped-up and cooked bacon and sausages for breakfast cobs all round.

And then Simon asked Steve to put on his Handy Man hat for a special job in the shed. The exact nature of the job has, for security reasons, been censored.

We get packed and load-up the fleet ...

... and grabbed one last group shot before heading home.

The Usual Suspects