"Heat, Hills, and One Unforgettable Poodle Adventure to Grasmere

Heat, Hills, and One Unforgettable Poodle Adventure to Grasmere

This latest poodle adventure took us from Keswick to Grasmere, and it was without a doubt my toughest challenge yet.

We left Keswick after a calm morning, walking through the pretty village of Rosthwaite before the real climbing began. The path just kept going up, up, and up again. The heat made every step feel heavier, and I could feel my energy slipping away at times. Teddy and Buddy, of course, dashed ahead like little mountain goats, Teddy wearing his new cooling vest which really had a fantastic impact on his comfort, somehow doing double the distance with all their running about. Lukioy the temperatures dropped with a nice breeze as we got higher up into the fells. I really did begin to think that this challenge may be a step too far but I told that voice to hush and pushed in and on with plenty of rest stops .

When Easdale Tarn finally came into view, I could have cheered. It felt like the most beautiful place in the world at that moment. I dropped my pack, kicked off my boots, set up camp for the night before slipping into the cool water for a swim. The combination of cold, fresh water and the satisfaction of having made it there was indescribable. The poodles were not happy and shouted at me from the shore line worried I was going to disappear.

After drying off and relaxing, we soaked in the surroundings before settling down for the night. The next morning, the walk towards Grasmere was steady but slow. The heat was still intense, so we made plenty of rest stops to cool down in the shade. We didn’t get into Grasmere until lunchtime. Thankfully, the youth hostel let me set up camp a few hours early, which gave us time for a short wander into the village.

The evening was lovely, with a few families enjoying their glamping setups nearby. The atmosphere felt relaxed and friendly, and I had that quiet satisfaction of knowing the hardest part of the trip was behind us. Breakfast the following morning was fabulous! the kind that tastes even better after a couple of challenging days on the hills. Then it was two buses back to the caravan, watching the landscape roll by and feeling grateful for the experience.

Now we’re back at the caravan, the poodles curled up on the sofas, and I’m feeling that perfect mix of exhaustion, relief, and pride. This one will stick with me for a long time.