And then there were six plus Poppy the dog

Today was part 6 of the Westmoreland Way from Grasmere to Troutbeck via Chapel Stile, Elterwater, Skelwith Bridge and Ambleside. Attempting an 11+ mile walk in January is always a challenge due to the shortage of daylight. Fourteen of us set off from Grasmere at about 9am. Three bailed out at the top Dow Bank as they didn't have time for the full linear walk so were doing a shortened circular back to Grasmere. Two more dropped out at Chapel Stile due to the onset of a migraine. Nine of us continued towards Ambleside and stopped for lunch on the fell about a mile from Ambleside centre. I took this blip thinking it was the survivors that would get to the end. But no, two dropped back after lunch with the intention of getting the bus from Ambleside and then one more dropped out from the main group in Ambleside and also opted for the bus so in the end there were only 6 survivors from the initial group plus Poppy the Labrador. I don't think I have ever lead a walk with such a high attrition rate! Views were not great due to mist and cloud but there is an extra of the view from near Jenkyn's Crag as we got close to Troutbeck.