'Normal Weekend'.

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The last month has been great but it was good to end it with a 'normal weekend' at home in Cumbria. Yesterday we wanted a good day out on the fells so headed out quite early. As we drove east the tops were cloud covered but the forecast promised better for later in the day. 
We parked up on the Newlands Hause road and headed off to complete the Coledale Round taking in Causey Pike, Scar Crags, Sail, Crag Hill, Sand  Hill, Hopegill Head, Hobcarton Crag and Grisedale Pike. Just as we left the road for the first ascent it started to rain and the wind picked up - not what we'd hoped for. Despite this we were soon on the first summit in better weather and from here we made good progress to Crag Hill where we stopped for a piece of tea loaf. We saw no one on this section but only had limited views due to low cloud. 
Visibility improved as we climbed steeply up towards Hopegill Head but the wind picked up and this made progress difficult at times especially on the final climb of the day up Grisedale Pike. The descent from here seemed easier than normal maybe due to the long alpine descents we did on the TMB.
As is often the case the best weather was on the walk back to the car but we weren't bothered as it had just been good to be back out together in the Lakes.

Climbing through the heather on Causey Pike.


Some easy scrambling on Causey Pike.


Causey Pike summit - the cloud level dropped soon after.


Crag Hill summit with it's collapsing Trig Point.


Clearing again on route to Hopegill Head.


On Hopegill Head with Grisedale Pike beyond.


The view back to Hopegill Head.


The last climb under clearing skies.


Susan on the summit of Grisedale Pike.


Starting the long descent.


The best weather of the day.


Today we wanted to have a good cycle so headed off to Keswick. As we've not ridden much lately we decided to skirt around the fells and went via Wythop Mill and Braithwaite. It was a perfect morning for riding and we made excellent progress with only short drink stops.
Once in Keswick we headed straight to Saddleback Cafe which is fast becoming the cyclist cafe in town. Indeed as we had our tea and cream scones a big group of Honister 92 riders turned up to fill what space was left.
The ride home turned out to be more eventful as Susan's left toe clip came apart after about 8 miles. We couldn't fix it so she had to ride home without it which made going up hill much more difficult. Needless to say she just got on with it and did a great job.

In the Newlands valley on route to Keswick.


A much better day than saturday.


Heading home through Eaglesfield - minus a toe clip.


A great weekend in Cumbria which makes up for going back to work tomorrow.

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