It was a misty start to the day and as I looked out of our top floor window, the fells that I had photographed only yesterday had now disappeared beneath a grey blanket of cloud. The main thing was that it was not raining as we planned to get some walking done.

After a lovely vegetarian version of the full English breakfast plus the banana bread and toast and a cup or two of coffee I was ready to hit the road. The plan? To walk part of the way around Derwentwater.

The first part of the plan came a little unstuck when I went to get my hiking boots out of the (where else?) boot of the car. They were still wet! The Hi-Tecs are definitely destined for the bin. Not wanting to wear damp boots I hoped the trail was not going to be a muddy one as I only had my running shoes. Alex assured me that the walking notes said it was a good track but I have been led astray by such information before so I had every right to feel sceptical but, undaunted, we set off. Neither of us wanted to take the big backpacks but neither did I want to be lugging around a shoulder bag so we called in at an Outdoor Store and I picked up a small Jack Wolfskin daypack (the Ancona to be precise) for GBP 28.

All set with comfortable pack and a couple of drinks we followed the signpost and headed in the direction of The Lake. We passed the mini-golf and putting green which seemed to have been claimed by a group of Asian tourists who were busily snapping pictures of each other. (I swear they had been dropped off at the park by a tour operator for the day as they were still there when we came back around lunchtime, obviously content with the location!) We walked past the the piers where the lake launches dock and continued along the path into the woods.

There were quite a few people out walking and, as always, there were many dogs out and about as well; all well-behaved and having a great time splashing in streams, ponds and the lake. We found the Millennium Stone on the way and photographed it, before moving on with the lake on our right. We walked as far as the second landing stage and had a bite to eat (chocolate-covered Kendal Mint Cake no less) before we turned back and retraced our steps for a total distance of 7.91km. We could, theoretically, have caught the launch back to Keswick but neither of us had any money with us so that option was not open to us.

The walk had taken us through woods, along the shingle edge of the lake, over streams and a few muddy patches, but was mainly flat and quite easy going. It took us just 2 hours and 4 minutes.

Back in Keswick we hit the shops for a little retail therapy. I trailed Alex through a multitude of shops buying hand-made soap and candles, visiting the Beatrix Potter shop and resisting the tempatation to buy more than I did as I guessed I would be struggling with the weight of my luggage on the trip back. In retaliation for looking at baby things and "girly" things, Alex dragged me into outdoor clothing and supply stores, so that made us about equal.

After dropping our purchases back at Howe Keld we set off out again to take the launch on a cruise around the lake, realising we just had time to catch the second-last launch of the day (the last one going clockwise) at 4pm. These are not tourist cruises as such but a working water-taxi service and for the price of a day ticket you can hop on and off at any point or just stay on board and do a circuit of the lake. Having said that their sole purpose is to deliver walkers to points around Derwent Water to access various walking trails and specific fells.

There were a few people taking the launch; three American girls who sat behind us and wished there was a commentary, a couple with three dogs between them (German short-haired pointers I believe) and a couple with a Rottweiler. Dogs are part and parcel of everyday English life and they go everywhere with their owners. (In fact many restaurants and pubs in Keswick boast proudly of their "dog-friendly" status. The Dog & Gun is one example and they always provide water bowls, among other things, for the dogs. Australia could certainly learn a thing or two from their very liberal approach to canines).

We picked up two passengers at one of the landing stages; there are 7 in all, and to summon a launch you stand at the end of the pier and stick out your hand - just like hailing a bus. The Americans got off one stop from Keswick, deciding to walk the last stage as they had been sitting down all day.

The weather was getting very cloudy and a tad gloomy but the rain held off and the only wetting we got was from the spray from the bow. Disembarking from the launch we walked back into town ready for something to eat. After a little debate we decided that we'd go back to the Woodstone Flame-Grill and Pizza restaurant.

This time I chose to have a Veggie Burger and Chips with a side of salad; Alex had a Calzone. The crew was different and the service not quite the same. Not that it was bad but they were certainly less attentive. As we were getting ready to leave I could see an old couple looking intently at their bill and comparing it to the menu and it was obvious they were going to question it, so I watched and waited. Sure enough they called over the waitress who then referred it to the floor manager; they couple pointed and muttered and showed her the menu so she went away to check something. When she came back, apologising for the mistake, she admitted that they had been overcharged by - wait for it! - 57p. It was all I could do not to cross to their table and give them the money. They had made such a fuss over a few pence when all they had to do was subtract it from the tip. Oh, wait, I don't think they had any intention of tipping in the first place

Entertainment over, we walked back to the B & B and prepared to spend our last night in England. Of course we had to get back to Howe Keld by 8pm. After all, it was Tuesday and "The Great British Bake Off"!

(Endnote: I knew it would be Glen who was ousted - he was on borrowed time).