Good Friends And Fellowship In The Fells

Day 39 – the final day – Saturday 2 May, after 54 days one I wasn’t always sure would arrive! But here we were, ready to tackle the easy round of Holme Fell and Black Fell with the grand finale on Loughrigg Fell. Various friends had come to the car park at Tom Gill to join us for the full day – Tony & Alison Spencer, John & Catherine Taylor, Frank & Bernadette Brown, Michael & Liz Parkinson, David & Dorothy Hepworth, Simon Clarke, Ian Hardy, Roger Dugdale, and of course Val, making a party of 16, with more to join later on at Skelwith Bridge. And today the weather was perfect.

It was an easy climb through woodland to the little rocky top of Holme Fell (1040’), from where the route undulated along the north ridge to cross the Coniston Road, where much amusement was caused by the bus stop sign.

We passed a picturesque small tarn with bog beans, lilies and damselflies, through a larch plantation followed by a bit of a drama crossing a wall before joining the good track which leads to the summit of Black Fell (1056’), where we realised we were running a little late for our rendezvous with the other friends who would be joining us. With hotels, bars and cafes there was little point worrying about how they would pass the time…

Progress remained necessarily slow as we dropped down steeply into boggy woodland, where paths were non-existent. Finally we arrived at Skelwith Bridge and just about found time to have a (very) small amount of liquid refreshment, before our party grew with the addition of Gordon Smith, Howard & Gillian Spensley, Allan Boardman, Trevor Watkins plus James and Harry, Carol Hardy plus Sarah & Katie. John & Rose Whitehead had set off early (a bit too early as it happened!) expecting us to catch them before we reached the top of Loughrigg Fell (1101’) and were left with a chilly wait. Other non-walking friends were there too, making it a social affair indeed.

We followed the track around Loughrigg Tarn and then followed the steep pitched path to the summit. And there we were at last – in under two months, after 55 days (39 walking days), here was the 214th and last top, and the whole situation – weather, company – couldn’t have been better. It now became apparent that a few heroic individuals had been carrying bottles of champagne and wine up to the top, as a cork popped and the bubbly was poured – by Simon Clarke, who I think was worried that I might emulate a Grand Prix finish and leave everyone feeling a bit sticky on the way to Elterwater! Ian Hardy surprised me by presenting a £1000 cheque for £the Rosemere Cancer Foundation from Clitheroe Round Table, which was very gratefully received.

Someone mentioned that before we left the summit Chris Smith, former Labour Minister of Culture and well-known Munro-bagger, turned up and I imagine he can onlyl have been rather bemused at the goings-on. The route back to Elterwater was a little less than straightforward but didn’t take long. Meeting us half a mile from the village along the river path were Robert & Margaret, John & Joan Myers, and Janet & John Spedding. John has Multiple Sclerosis and his positive attitude is an inspiration to all those who find themselves in his situation: it was typical of him to make the effort to come and greet us.

The Britannia was already full before we arrived to swell the numbers even further, but the green outside was the perfect place to gather and reflect on the previous eight weeks, say our thank-yous (there were many) and drink a final toast to Margaret, the inspiration behind the whole Challenge, before saying our final good-byes.

Well, in many cases not so final – several of us were staying over in Bowness and we’d booked an evening meal at the absolutely excellent Rastelli’s Italian Restaurant. Sunday was to be a rest day around Bowness and Ambleside, perhaps to include a boat trip on the Lake, mainly because no one dares suggest GOING FOR A WALK!!

Photos: 1. Morning meeting at Tom Gill; 2. Click to enlarge if you want to appreciate this (non) bus stop; 3. Striding out on the last lap; 4. A welcome handshake from Gordon Smith as Mike looks on.