Keswick Rambles, Guided walks in the Lake District with KR Guided Walks, Pace the Peaks, The Lake District Walker

Leader Cathy Colam

Having loved the Lake District ever since I came with my parents as a teenager I and my family made our home in Keswick in 1996 having escaped one world of work (Science lecturer) to take up another (Guest House owner)! Even though our teenagers did less climbing and walking with us than they had when visits to the area were restricted to school holidays the hills could always be seen from the windows as I made the beds and daily trots up Walla Crag or Latrigg with the dog kept me fit.

At Cumbria House we enjoyed sharing our climbing and walking experience with our visitors - some of them are still walking with Keswick Rambles! In 2002 I decided to complete my Mountain Leadership training - something I'd originally registered for 20 years earlier! - to give me an excuse to take people out more often on a more official basis though no walks could start before 10am to give me time to do the washing up!

Now Cumbria House is sold, the children have flown the nest and Barry and I have moved to Portinscale. Keswick Rambles gives Skye and I a wonderful excuse for days out on the fells. Some have glorious sunshine and views from the Pennines to Scotland when you wish the ridges would go on for ever. On others I look out at the weather and think I'd rather stay at home. However, I know that little band of stalwarts will still be outside the Moot Hall waiting for me as I turn the corner. We will always do a walk, even if it is not quite that on the programme and when I get home I'm always glad we went - such days are remembered as a sudden view as a beam of sunlight penetrates the murk, or for a fascinating discussion as we huddle in a sheepfold eating damp sandwiches. In fact we have no more wet days here than elsewhere in Britain it is just that a wet day in Keswick is wetter than a wet day in Cambridge and even wetter (and windier) if you are on top of a mountain. In fact during 2004, the first summer when I lead walks here I had 60days out and only put a waterproof on once - beginners luck!