On the agenda for today was a visit to Black Cragg (another Wainwright) and Tarn How. Tarn How is reputed for being one of the most beautiful places in the Lake District - a pretty high claim considering the Lake District is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Having decided it was too far to walk, we mapped a nice bike ride. I was especially pleased to find a permissive bridleway which chopped off a huge section of road. Winner.

It wasn’t long into our “bike ride” that we realised that this was going to be one of those occasions when something that looks good from the comfort of your armchair does not turn out like that in reality. The overgrown path was ok and fighting through bracken and brambles was manageable. The real problems started when it proceeded steeply uphill with rocks so big they were paratactically boulders. Cycling was not an option so Andy and I pushed the bikes whilst the kids trotted happily ahead. It was pretty depressing when we neared the top and Andy said we’d only done 3km! Probably would have been quicker to walk.

We got some respite when we left our bikes by a wall and continued on foot to the summit. The sun was shining and the kids were enjoying adding rocks to every cairn we passed. The view from the top is spectacular! We could see Conniston Water, Tarn How, Windermere and Esthwaith water as well as surrounding hills and mountains. It was breathtaking. We took our time and had some lunch, before heading back to collect our bikes.

More rocks greeted us as we descended to Tarn How. On one end of the spectrum we had Oliver determined to demonstrate his prowess and cycle down and at the other we had Elizabeth’s unsuitable bike and fledgling cycling skills. Andy and Oliver went ahead whilst I pushed bikes some more and eventually we made it to the nice smooth path round the lake.

The lake was beautiful, surrounded by woodland and mountains. We cycled round and found a great spot for paddling beside a grassy bank. The water was so refreshing I was tempted to strip and go for a swim. Instead we let the kids play and lay in the sun.

We headed back along the road, which once we got past the particularly steep section where E threw her bike down for around the fifth time that day, was plain sailing.

The rest of the afternoon we just chilled in the campsite. It was so nice to enjoy some sunshine and the kids made friends, leaving us to relax. The sunset was beautiful too.

An epic day.