Midweek, we had almost written this weekend off due to an unsettled forecast but between e-mails I told Rod "lets just keep an eye on the weather closer to the time" I guess my confidence in the forecast was just as low but you never know it might just change. Come Thursday the weekends forecast had changed then come Friday we even had a bit of sun in the mix.

With a green light to walk I e-mailed Rod (sadly David won't be joining us today) a couple of Birkett walks to choose from one of which was the Bannerdale Horseshoe and the other was this walk; Place Fell round. I think it may have been last year when myself Rod and David were descending High Dodd via Scalehow Beck when Rod stopped while looking over at Low Birk Fell, in a muffled silence Rod pointed out with his finger Low Birk Fell, Smeathwaite and Bleaberry Knott, seconds later he explained his route which he taken some years ago whilst completing his own Birketts, I'm not sure what happened at that precise moment but even after the conversation had ended and we had turned away, I found myself still looking at those tops, I guess for me, this was the moment when my Birkett dream started.

Due to the limited parking at Sandwick we had agreed to first meet at the car park next to Martindale New Church at 08:30am. Rod and Michael had already arrived by the time I got there and no sooner had I opened the door I was being congratulated after becoming a Grandad to baby Penny Rose who was born on the 4th August. We agreed to drive to Sandwick in my car so after we loaded up we drove the short distance whilst I explained to Rod and Michael with this glint in my eye just how special being a Gandad is.

The grass verge opposite Town Head cottages was empty leaving me to park easily so I nudged the car in front end first. It wasn't exactly quiet owing to two or three young kids who were playing on bikes at the end of the lane, guests from the holiday cottages no doubt. Rod and Michael were already ready which left me just to lace up. It's notably cooler tinging on mild so jackets are packed neatly into packs before setting off. With my car locked we followed the path alongside the stone wall towards the footbridge over Scalehow Beck which is now part of the Ullswater Way.

From Sleet Fell we bare left and follow a worn grassy path alongside a stone wall. The stone wall falls away further left while the path keeps to the ridge, steeply we descend through pockets of hot air while watching walkers on the path below we had walked on just under four hours earlier.. It was spoke of that that the ill informed forecast had probably kept many a visitor away having only passed just two people the whole morning. Back on the path we arrive back in Sandwick passing two fell runners.

My car is now sandwiched between two other cars amongst others and Sandwick for now, seems to have lost that hamlet feel as people go about their business. With the gear squashed back in to my car we drive back to Martindale New Church finding a full car park, most drivers turn away while others squeeze into the tightest of gaps. Gear is swapped back into Rods car while being watched by people eating lunch on the lower slopes of Hallin Fell. Rod and Michael are about to join them but I'd already told the lads I was going to skip lunch and maybe grab a bite on the drive home.