IN THE LAKE DISTRICT 129 



In relating this episode I have rather 

 mixed mountaineering- with cricket. As has 

 been seen, several coaches used to take us 

 to the beginning of our climb — say Coniston 

 for the " Old Man," and await our return 

 to take us back, after a substantial tea. My 

 favourite trip was Helvellyn, for there the 

 coaches used to drive us to the Patterdale 

 side ; and, while we went over the Striding 



o 



Edge and down by Thirlmere, they used 



to drive round by Ambleside to meet us 



at Grasmere. My proceeding on these 



occasions was to "stow away" and then, 



reappearing on Bell's coach, drive all the 



rest of the way to Grasmere. I have a 



vivid recollection of one day's drive. It 



was to Dungeon Ghyll — the mountains to 



be tackled being the Langdale Pikes. 



Before we reached Troutbeck, Bell had 

 9 



