The town of Keswick at the head of Derwentwater in the English Lake District is blessed in many ways. A ring of the mountains of Skiddaw and Blencathra sit as a halo to the north of it, with the valley of Borrowdale and the lake that is Derwentwater propping it up to the south. But it’s a busy town, an administrative centre, a tourist hot spot and at a cultural level, Theatre by the Lake is a must visit for us, whenever we can.
Our visit in September 2025, starts off with sunshine and blue skies, progresses to grey skies but dry conditions and ends with steady all day rain, which it should, this is the English Lake District, and “it rains” – sometimes a lot!! We always try to get some decent hikes completed on our visits and we managed a couple around Lake Ullswater, one, a circumnavigation of Gowbarrow was an absolute joy with amazing views.
As the week progresses, we have decided to attempt the mountain called Cat Bells which lines the western shore of Derwentwater, has amazing views but is known for having a steep scrambling ascent up its two peaks. An advantage this year is that we can access Cat Bells by launch from Keswick Landing, whilst that helps in reducing the usual, “walk in access warm up”, it does mean that on stepping off the launch, one is into the steep ascent straight away.
But visiting the Lakes can offer so much more than the mountains and lakes. For us this visit also gave us an opportunity to play some tennis – Braithwaite Tennis Club in the shadow of Skiddaw Mountain, and Patterdale Tennis Club at the foot of Lake Ullswater, and the entrance point to the mountain of Helvellyn. One damp morning saw us at the excellent Penrith Leisure Centre playing pickleball, before heading off to the “Cockpit” a Bronze Age Stone Circle, next to the Roman Road that runs parallel and above Ullswater on its way to Scotland and rebelling those warring tribes.
And then on Monday evening we were at a performance of “Di, Viv and Rose”, at the Keswick Theatre by the Lake. The production was booked, “blind” ie we had no idea about the play. But what a wonderful show it was about three teenagers meeting at college, sharing a house together and then through the years, graduation, pregnancy, cancer, death, friendship breakup and reconciliation . The picture below, shows the furniture from the college house suspended above the second half of the play, a reminder of the time when the girls relationships began. Fantastic energy and performances from the 3 actors, and made us think long and hard about our own lives.
Sue and i are blessed with our two children, four grandchildren and fantastic friends across the world. Some of our friendships go back to our school and college days, and we treasure all of these, thus this play just reinforced the longevity of relationships and how lucky we are.
As we prepare to leave the Lake District the steady rain sets in, Sue and I have a visit to the village of Elterwater in the Langdale Valley. We have lunch in front of a wood fire at the Britannia Inn – they still have a “back bar” where us underage drinkers could obtain access – in the last century, that was, 1969. Then a walk around the village in our waterproofs, checking on our “finger post”, now a part of the Langdale Trail, it’s all very autumnal.
Back in London, now to pack our things up. A last few days in Teddington with the grandchildren, as Amelie counts down the number of of sleeps before we head for home in NZ, but plans already being made for NannaPoppa to return in mid June 2026 for another Northern Summer. It’s time for us to seek out spring back in New Zealand, our family on the Coromandel and friends back there – golf, tennis and veggie planting in the garden all await – see you soon.
Travels with My Wife 
😀 John
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