A weather window had presented itself during the afternoon after a morning of heavy showers and if the forecasters had got this one right it wasn't to be missed, because of this I had chosen this walk which is the shortest within the campaign collecting just three Wainwright summits starting from Martindale New Church.

The first summit of the day is Hallin Fell, a steep but steady yomp starting from the carpark opposite the church, I did a very similar route to this one around November time and if my memory serves me right I was up and down within forty minutes which is always a good start when like today, I'm starting late. Once Hallin Fell is collected it's a quick run down as views open out over Steel Knotts (Pikawassa) but in order to reach its summit the steep ascent on Birkie Knott will have to be gained, an ascent that I had forgot just how steep it actually was.

However, from the summit of Birkie Knott it's a nice easy stroll to reach Steel Knotts from which I'll descend into Martindale with views of Martindale Old Church and Beda Fell. After a quick look around the Church Yard I'll strike out into the valley of Boredale gaining height steadily onto Boredale Hause before taking on the steep and steady path to collect my last summit of the day in Place Fell before I begin my gradual descent back into Boredale around the flank of High Dodd while being blessed with late afternoon sun, and not to mention a rather heavy hailstone shower.

I found it incredible to think that not just one hour ago the cloud hung around the tops of the tree tops while driving through prolonged and heavy downpours during my journey to reach Lakeland this morning, sure enough however the rain stopped and the skies cleared which was exactly how it was forecasted. Despite today being a Bank Holiday the roads were quiet and I was able to park opposite Martindale New Church easily which had laid heavy on my mind during the drive up, I'm guessing that the forecast had put most people off but just look how nice the afternoon is starting out.

There were a few people on route to Hallin Fell that I could see whilst kitting up which was kinda rushed as I wanted to get boot onto fell as soon as possible, if only to avoid the rain showers that were forecasted for late afternoon, within what felt like minutes the car was locked and I was ascending my first summit gaining height quite quickly opting to take the path on the east side of the fell if only to avoid the numbers I could see up ahead, as it turns out it's also a very scenic route too.

The name Pikeawassa is given to the Rock Tor which crowns Steel Fell summit, there is no summit cairn and if you really want to climb to the top of Steel Knotts you have to climb the Rock Tor! A simple tap from my walking pole would suffice today.

Well, that's two summits collected in just over the hour mark, it's time to relax and take in the Martindale Valley via a path that I don't recall using before which descends steadily from the summit all the way towards Martindale Old Church.

Richard Birkett was the first Priest at St Martins who's Tomb lies beneath a ancient Yew Tree estimated to be 1,300 years old, I'll be the first to admit that even on a summers day the area around the back of the church can feel 'a bit creepy'

Never mind that, if only trees could talk eh.

The rain I had just witnessed contained itself within the valley but this wasn't the case for the second wave of showers that approached once I arrived at Garth Heads Farm where I was forced to add the jacket and even the camera bag came out to stop my camera taking a soaking, all of which was reminiscent of my last visit to Boredale when I also took a soaking.

Do you ever feel that some places are attached to certain weathers? Lets hope this isn't the case today.

A trio of Mountain Bikers had passed me sometime earlier who in actual fact frightened the life out of me as they just hurtled past from no-where. It's a long walk through the valley where at times I had the sun on my back and others, I was reaching for the hood of my jacket, up ahead the Mountain Bikers have slowed down and are now pushing their bikes up the steep gully close to Hause Crag.

They'd best hurry up or I'll soon be on their tails...bloody creeping up on me like that!

There was a few drops in the air which for now didn't look like they would materialise into anything which was great news as by now I had expected to be walking through showers which still may arrive so I'm grasping every view while I can.

The Gully was reached soon forming the head of the valley together with Hause Crag were for the first time during the last few hours I was able to take respite from the wind. I had the choice to take the path to the left of the Gully or just climb straight up the centre which is what I opted for, a stream flows beneath me which was negotiated by keeping to the larger boulders, there was wet tyre tracks across the rock left behind moments eailer by the Mountain Bikers who had long gone by the time I arrived at the top of the Gully.

Boredale Hause was under shade and its exposure was reflected by the strong cross winds, the strongest I had experienced all day. A narrow grassy path ascends steadily, then steeply to join up with the main path towards Steel Edge, while on the path I miss groups of walkers descending and feel quite pleased in that I have missed out on that steep first hundred yards of path which starts at the ruins of the Old Chapel, which isn't to say that my own path wasn't steep which soon lead me out at the start of the steep zig zags below Steel Edge.

I had my camera ready by my side ready for those split second moments as the sun cast its light across the wild grasses, those moments did come but they didn't last long, the weather at the summit started to deteriorate rapidly as the skies darkened and looked ever more threatening, perhaps those forecasted showers are about to arrive.

Lunch is packed away right about the same time a large group of walkers top out on Round How, Place Fell secondry summit, just ahead I may get time to explore Place Fell Tarn seen in the foreground before descending Hart Crag for Low Moss before the showers do arrive.

The whole Helvellyn group was consumed by a hail storm, Catstye Cam was the last to be seen before the hail advanced on my position, thankfully I had seen it coming which gave me time to prepare, by the time the hail arrived I was descending towards Low Moss while being battered by hail which for a moment, turned the fell side into a sea of white.

The hail came from behind but I was prepared having my baseball cap and my hood for protection, the hail battered at me but I was like a pig in muck, I've never smiled so much while being pelted by hail, I was in my own little heaven during that shower

It seemed surreal that after the showers had passed the sun would come back out in full strength but that it did. I was still wearing the same layers I had added back at Low Moss and despite feeling a little over heated I chose to keep them on in favour of stopping. Once within the Boredale Valley the little Clapper Bridge which spans Boredale Beck was crossed before heading towards Garths Head Farm from where I took this photo looking back into the Boredale Valley.

Under the afternoon sun I retrace my steps around the base of Winter Crag then continuing to cross Howgrain Beck once more before the steep ascent back to Hause where my car is parked which looked a lot less empty than that of four hours earlier. Due to the storm approaching while back at Place Fell summit I didn't have enough time to finish my lunch which I do whilst sat on a rock overlooking the roofs of the cars whilst listening to the Ravens of Martindale New Church squawk in the Pine Trees nearby, all the while reminiscing on one of the best spur of the moment afternoon walks I've enjoyed in a long time.