Despite having a fondness for the far eastern fringe of the Lake District and in particular the rolling countryside of the Swindale and Shap fells it's been quite sometime since my last visit and today I aim to put an end to that.

Todays walk takes in the fells surrounding the Swindale valley, a valley in the heart of the far east of Lakeland which hasn't changed over the last two hundred years with the exception of the new hydro-dam which I must admit, doesn't quite blend in the way it should. It's narrow stone walled lanes are the makeup of the valley which serves access to Swindale Foot and Swindale Head Farm not forgetting the Corpse Road which was once used to carry coffins from Mardale in the adjoining valley to Shap, it's fair to say that Swindale hasn't changed much even if the world around it has.

The first of todays walks takes in the Outlying Fells east of the Swindale Valley from the new dam before a gentle rise along the Corpse Road towards Shap taking in the cliffs and crags of Langhowe Pike then steering south west gaining Langhowe Pike summit by its long grassy ridge. The geography of the area can prove difficult to navigate between summits and with only the faintest of paths underfoot having a head for the lay of the land, and not to mention defining heights between outcrop and summit can serve as a advantage.

It was a typical April day in Swindale this morning with the temperature not rising much into double figures with a strong tailwind to boot, the perfect setting to walk aimlessly by.

One of the main features in todays walk was the wind which was also felt back at home in Wigan while loading up my car. Although it was still mild the wind was strong enough to bend the tree tops and by my reckoning once higher it's going to be with me for the best part of both of todays walks, I wasn't wrong. Parking was easy having arrived around 08:20am after passing through the hamlet of Rosgill before heading towards the valley via the narrow tarmac lane where I arrived in Lower Swindale close to the Filter House which blends into the valley looking like a large cottage with white washed walls.

There was only one other car parked up so I chose to park at the opposite end of the parking spaces if only to make my exit easier on return, next to the off road parking there is also a large grass verge which acts as an over-spill as parking in itself is strictly prohibited in the valley meaning everyone who visits Swindale must walk into the valley by foot unlike when Wainwright wrote his Guidebook on the Outlying Fells where he had permission from the local farmers to park at Swindale Foot, or Swindale Head Farms. For me any walk in the Swindale Valley starts here and I always enjoy the walk into the valley while soaking up the peacefulness and isolation the valley provides which was only disturbed this morning by the tweet of a bird or the bleating of new born Lambs.

I'm sure once the new fence has weathered along with the new concrete dam but it will soon 'settle' into valley yet for now, it all looks too new and is of large contrast to the old ruined walls and buildings which surrounds the area.

That's the new footbridge and a sturdy one it is too in the foreground, alternatively if you miss or fancy a little dip you can cross the beck by a series of stepping stones found just a few yards up stream from the new bridge.

From the Corpse Road I head south west taking in the grassy ridge passing two Sheepfolds on the back of a large craggy outcrop from where the summit of Langhowe Pike is not seen as the ridge ahead obscures it from view until the last two hundred yards or so before the summit arrives after a steady rise.

It was also whilst at the summit did it start to cloud over leaving low light for the duration of the walk. It may not be an area for grand photography especially when the sun isn't shining but if you love places like this as I do there isn't any real need to bring a camera at all.

For now it's just me and the distant tweet of the birds heard over strengthening winds, just perfect.

From the summit of Langhowe Pike I now track south sometimes by following a faint singular track, others by blazing my own trail always keeping my objective in view.

This area is more commonly known as Ralfland Forest and like the Shap Fells can be difficult to navigate in bad weather and, also like the Shap Fells the whole area is common to Grouse, less the Grouse Butts which can only be a good thing, especially if your of the feathered kind.

That wind really is starting to build now.

By the time I had arrived at the summit the sun was back out bringing with it warmth which was welcoming after walking with the wind on my back for the best part of the morning. Haze also was now hampering any distant views which only appear as grey and black silhouettes in the far distance.

My route will now see me collect High Wether Howe next seen over on the right while in the distance, Howes, The Mosedale Valley, Harter Fell (Mardale) Tarn Crag and Burnt Tongue.

The haze really is limiting views and what with the low light, long distant views are quite low on my list today.

I had high hopes of sighting Deer on todays venture just like I had the last time I was here a few years ago now, back then as I passed Haskew Tarn which is found between Seat Robert and High Wether Howe I had spotted Deer drinking from the tarn, today the tarn is so dry only its bed can be seen without so much of a Deer in sight.

Oh well not to worry.

Well, that was a perfect walk taking in some never before trodden summits which met expectations and more despite the low light and high winds this area of Lakeland in such conditions only adds to the atmospherics of the area all the while all I had for company was the birds and my thoughts, what more could you ask for from a fell walk.