Wednesday: I was away at 7.30, having paid Mrs Weir her 30p and had a brief chat about long distance walks. Today was to be a hard day, 20miles in all with two hard climbs. My right ankle bone became sore, so I bandaged it, but my thigh muscles had now recovered. I enjoyed the climb up to Greenup Edge, once again in fine weather, but the trek down to Grasmere seemed unending. However it did end and I did some shopping and then entered the portals of the Red Lion and, while rain poured down outside, sat in a plush lounge and consumed a pint of beer and an excellent ploughman’s lunch. As I came out into the street the rain ceased. Grasmere was full of holiday people who all seemed to be walking rather aimlessly about. Thunder was still rolling round the landscape as I left the village, but for me, the sun still shone and I was happy. The pull up to Grisedale Pass, along the eastern side of Great Tongue, was strenuous and, near the top, I dropped into the ravine and stripped odd and washed myself all over- very refreshing. Met a man doing the walk in the other direction. Clouds obscured the sun up here and a chill wind blew but I felt very well. But was not tempted to take the alternative route over the Helvellyn or St Sunday Crag. A long trek down to Patterdale and an extra mile to the camp site which was on the shore of Ullswater. I bought a pint of milk at the farm and paid 30p for me and 20p for my tent! Once again the night was blasted wide awake – this time by a high power radio in a large tent – boom – boom – boom until midnight. How I was tempted next morning to go and cut all the guy ropes!