I had a couple of plans to either head up to Coniston straight after work or pay homage to Counting Hill and Winter Hill which is something that I'd really like to do before settling back into my Lakeland routine. That was until Rod e-mailed me mid week asking would I like to join him on a route he'd planned during the previous lock down.

I feel like I have forged a bond with Winter Hill but I just couldn't turn down a walk which included my beloved High Street and Pasture Bottom, the latter being a place that I haven't visited for some years, damn right I was going to join Rod.

It's incredible to think that this time last year the whole country was enjoying wall to wall sunshine which lasted from March through to May. This year the snow is falling from cloudless skies and you need your thermals just to take the rubbish out, sounds like a typical UK Spring to me but despite this today we were lucky enough to be on the hill as the cloud peeled away revealing blue skies from horizon to horizon.

I left the top of Kirkstone Pass and descended into a valley of shadow which the sunrise hadn't yet penetrated. I was still shivering after leaving the car to take the previous photos and it was only after I'd had the heater on full blast did I start to feel normal again. The plan was to arrive at Hartsop by 07:45 for a 08:00am start but I was twenty minutes early and given that I could choose where to park I left the engine running while cloud watching. By 07:35 I was out the car during which time another car pulled onto the car park who's owner drew up at the far side of the car park next to a motorhome. I started to shiver again as I laced up my left boot then added my buff and jacket before lacing up the right.

As I extended my walking poles Rod pulled onto the car park and parked his car alongside mine. Despite keeping in weekly touch with Rod and David it was September last year when we last walked as a trio meaning there was alot of catching up to do but for now the only thing dominating conversation which was the cloud lingering over The Knott - todays first summit of the day. We remained optimistic that the cloud would lift and for now, put it to the back of our minds.

The next summit to visit was Mardale III Bell which required a slight out and back from the High Street Roman Road. The plan was to make our summit then gain Thornthwaite Crag by traversing the head of Hall Cove (Kentmere)

Given the exposure here the windchill had taken a dive which we had to endure for the next half hour or so but I'll take the cold when you have views as good as this.

Before arriving at the valley floor we had to descend another 150ft through grass and boulder which was when we spotted half a dozen mountain bikers heading towards us which got Rod and I uttering "they're gonna be carrying those bikes very soon" Sure enough the awkward ascent and boulder had stopped them in their tracks as they asked "what's it like up ahead" at which point I heard one of the group mention he was wearing cleats at the same time spotting that one of the mountain bikes was electric which looked pretty heavy.

Lads we replied "this awkward bit is the easy bit, you have to gain the head of the valley via a steep rocky staircase and more boulder all 700ft of it while carrying a mountain bike on your back" The lads replied with a cocky yet friendly reply "no problem" We could only wish them the best of luck while forgetting to mention that once they had gained Thresthwaite Mouth they had to continue another 580ft before reaching the summit of Thornthwaite Crag, if they managed that I thought, then they deserved it.

Every now and again we would turn around and spot the mountain bikers slowly carrying their bikes through the boulder field until even the slowest holding up the rear disappeared out of view 11/10 for commitment I thought. By now we had left the windchill confined to the tops and with that I removed my gloves and tucked them into my pack side pocket, we left the rocky footpath for the delights of the grassy bank alongside Pasture Beck. By now we could see walkers descending the Brock Crags zigzags and through the trees a crammed car park appeared. Pasture Beck flowed into Hayeswater Gill just over our shoulders where we crossed at the footbridge before arriving back at the car park which we entered via the wooden gate.

It would be a tight squeeze to get the cars out but they weren't wedged in any serious way. We opened our boots before crouching down onto our folding stools before being approached by a young girl who we had noticed was blocking one of the exits with her car "excuse me, are you going to be long" she asked "give us five minutes I smiled, you can have one of these spaces" We'd made good time with only the descent of Thornthwaite Crag slowing us down but not in a serious way, give it a few more weeks and the rest will come naturally.