There is no better way of testing new and interesting swims and walks than by trying them out for yourself, and with the weather and water warming, I and a couple of friends tried out a long 8km swim, linking the length of three classic lakes - Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater.
After a day rock-climbing in Borrowdale in full sun, we took a dip in Grasmere. As the heat of the afternoon dropped in to a warm, evening glow, we shared the lake with a few other people, enjoying the stillness and the beautiful reflections in the glassy water. The odd duck pottered about the edges, but otherwise it was a calm and quiet place to cool off.
Taking an ancient route to the Nan Bield Pass, between Mardale and Kentmere, we descended to Small Water where there are old stone shelters, a welcome retreat in bad weather. As we topped out on Mardale Ill Bell there were far-reaching views across the mountain tops, the highest of which still had a scattering of snow.
