A Sociable Stroll for Easter Monday

Day 25 – 13 April. Margaret is clearly looking down on us, as the weather was gorgeous once again when we got up this morning. We had a full contingent plus Carol Makin from the climbing hut and the Spencer Clan (Tony, Alison, Barry and Tracey).

Today was to be the gentlest walk of the whole project, a pleasant wind-down after yesterday’s marathon with just two fells, Low Fell (1360’) and Fellbarrow (1363’). Starting from the hamlet of Thackthwaite, near Lorton, where primroses, violets and wild raspberries were adorning the verges, we followed a neat zigzagging path up to the top of the fell for a short traverse to the summit of Low Fell with its view south to Crummock Water and Grasmoor. It must not have been too strenuous as everyone seemed to have enough breath for a lot of talking!

It was easy to see our second objective north along the fell top, and we were at the summit of Fellbarrow within 40 minutes, enjoying a view north this time, to Cockermouth and the Solway Firth. After finding a sheltered spot for lunch (and other necessities) where we were entertained by the acrobatics of Ravens and soaring Buzzards, we ambled back down to Thackthwaite and said our good-byes after a superb weekend. Everyone agreed it could hardly have been better and it was good to get out on some fells which we would otherwise never bother to visit.

Now the score stands at 140, with 74 to do – I’m almost two-thirds of the way. A day off on Tuesday will be followed (probably) by two solo days – Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywaggon Pike, Seat Sandal, St Sunday Crag and Birks on Wednesday, then five Loweswater fells starting with Mellbreak on Thursday. On Friday Ian Hardy will join me again for another really big day – this time the Newlands Round with Knott Rigg and Ard Crags added on for good measure. And after that there are still some big days to come – the Scafells, Great Gable, an extended Kentmere Horseshoe – so no time for complacency yet!

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Photos: 1. The Buttermere Climbing Hut at Birkness; 2. Low Fell; 3. The party at Low Fell summit (thanks Carol for taking this one!)