I've never known a January like it, the fells are still free from snow with the exception of the odd ice patch and in the valleys it feels more like Spring than Winter, this is highly unusual but if this mornings forecast is anything to go by snow is due later in the month,, lets hope so.

Lakeland has remained rather dry this past week with even the odd day where the fells have been completely cloud free, although typically the cloud base remained low throughout. Frustratingly come the weekend we lost the high pressure which was replaced by strong winds although it still remained mild in the valleys.

As a fell walker we expect this and we usually work around the forecast which was just what we did today following in Birketts footsteps taking in Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside. Loughrigg Fell is a great walk in any weather and I'll be the first to admit that once the sun comes out I tend to head for the more spectacular routes when really one should be exploring Loughrigg's undulating humps and bumps together with its stunning views, today we got the same views even if it was dramatised by the forecasted wind and rain.

Any chance of an incorrect forecast was quickly laid to rest the minute I left the house this morning, in fact it wasn't my alarm clock which woke me it was the wind. It remained dark and damp the whole journey north and by the time I reached Ambleside around 08:05am it was still as dark as I left the house an hour and a half earlier accompanied by drizzle in the air. Todays actual starting point is Rydal Road car park but we chose to park outside Ambleside C of E Primary School instead from where we'll walk to the official starting point which only adds an extra ten minutes or so to the walk.

I was the first to arrive but not the first at the car park which was already occupied by the owner of one car whose radio was so loud I almost tapped on the guys window to ask him to turn it down. I'm soon joined by two more cars whose owners take their dogs out for a morning walk through Rothay Park before David arrived a short time afterwards. By the time David arrived I was almost ready for the off and thankfully for now, it had stopped raining while appearing to get a little lighter. We greet with the usual handshake while I bore David over my bargain Rab waterproof jacket that I ordered in the January sales the night previous.

We debated while it had just stopped raining wheather to add the waterproofs and while viewing the high cloud passing over our heads at a rate of knotts decided not too, for now anyway.

We decided to follow the stone wall for a short while then veered right along a prominent path which you might be able to make out upper right. Loughrigg Fell isn't short of footpaths even the lesser used routes across the fell are starting to become as prominent as the next.

The high ground in the distance isn't the summit which can be found just a short distance further West.

It's a mile and a half to reach Ambleside from Pelter Bridge and in that time we took time to reflect on our morning while passing more walkers out for a stroll. We hadn't noticed the cloud drop down even further and even though it was only lunchtime the low light made it feel much later. Miller Bridge was soon reached where we had the option to walk back along the same footpath we had used this morning or through Rothay Park. It made sense to walk through the park owing to our cars being parked on t'other side which we reached about the time it started to drizzle again. The smell of hot chips waft through the air as our cars are unlocked and wet gear is bungled into our boots.

We make plans for our next walk then the ritual handshake before I put the car into reverse and head back through a much busier Ambleside than I had left this morning.