Catbells: Tova's first hill

Friday brought an old fashioned summer's day and after three days of swimming and a visit to the Beatrix Potter house at Near Sawrey, we thought it about time that Tova climbed a hill. She would be 3 months old in two days. We drove to Keswick and then on to Portinscale and the Swinside Lodge where we found an empty parking spot. Tova was strapped to my front and off we went up the steep but well-trodden path up Catbells. Twenty-nine years ago Catbells had been where our three children were first hilled and it seemed appropriate to continue the tradition. I was carrying Tova and Eva was carrying the camera, so for once, I was caught on film.

A cairn stone for Tova

Derwentwater

I don't want to go down

Little Town in Newlands and bliss for Tova

Little Town farm

Tova and a Wainwright's beer, bliss for Papa

Little town farm - looking for Lucie

Skelgill path

Skiddaw and a methane line

Sleepwalking

The walk was an unmitigated success, the sun shone, the setting was spectacular, we found a suitable nursing bay below the summit and Tova was serene and showing interest all the way. At the summit I was asked did we have to go down the same way. I suggested that we dropped down into Newlands and visit the cafe in the farm where Lucie lived in The Tale of Mrs Tiggy Winkle. I had passed it a couple of days earlier and been told that it was good for afternoon teas. The route down Yewthwaite gill was gentler than the ascent and Eva did the carrying. We were down in the bucolic splendour of Newlands in 45 minutes and the little town farm tea room was a real find. Homemade sandwiches, cakes, ice cream and some decent beer were all available as well as some homemade soft drinks. It was early afternoon and we happily whiled away an hour in the cool dining room.

The walk back to the car at Skelgill was another perfect walk through the exquisite Newlands landscape. We even saw a Black Redstart which flitted along the hedgerows. Tova fell asleep as any 3 months would after such a long walk. Catbells had lived up to all our previous impressions and watching Tova had cured us of the stoicism of ageing.

Lucie at Little-town farm