I had originally planned to do a fell race on New Year's Day but a) my legs were really tired by this point and b) I just wanted to stay in Coniston as long as possible! One of the features that drew me to the area was Tarn Hows, so I saved this route for the last day:
https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_80.html Having spent NYE at the pub, it seemed a gentle enough route!
I saw that the forecast was meant to be spectacular for this day and it certainly was, with the bluest skies and most sunshine I'd seen during the trip. Tarn Hows was pretty busy by the time I arrived there on foot, but it was still lovely to see. I most enjoyed the route back along the Cumbria Way, and imagined doing that route over a few days at another time!
My final stop in Coniston was the popular Bluebird Cafe, right on the water, where I most thoroughly enjoyed a cheese and chutney toasty and ginger cake before driving back to Newcastle.
This adventure left a good strong mark on my heart and the purchase of several more guidebooks before I left almost certainly guarantees that I'll be back!