It's getting to that time of year when relying on the forecast becomes a job in itself. I was working this weekend and after watching the forecast through the week I didn't know whether to wear shorts or waterproofs.

I made the stupidest of mistakes by not checking the travel which unbeknown to me the Highways Agency decided to close the M6 southbound between junctions 31 and 32 for bridge repairs, why on earth this couldn't be done between 9pm and 6am is beyond me. The closure brought travel chaos to thousands which over spilled into the surrounding countryside bringing the likes of Lancaster, Caton, Galgate and Garstang to an absolute standstill which would of continued every weekend until the first weekend in October had the Police not intervened.

Reading the news this morning some people were in their cars for a staggering 12 hours calling the closure a 'danger to life' and called for the sacking of whoever made the decision to close the motorway. I must admit whilst driving north the queues where tailing back to Lancaster and my heart sank knowing Id be in them on my return journey.

Bannerdale Crags east ridge made my 'go to fell walk' list the moment I first walked it which was handy today because no matter how much I tried knowing that I had hours of sitting in traffic after I'd completed my walk was never far from mind.

I'd put the travel chaos behind me as best I could and arrived in Mungrisdale under warm afternoon sunshine. I got lucky on arrival as a car was indicating to pull out the parking spaces by the grass verge and I slotted myself in and nodded at the driver by way of thanks. It's very mild verging on hot and despite this I made the decision to wear my Montane stretchy hoodie based on a group of walkers who had just returned to their cars who were all wearing lightweight waterproof jackets or long sleeved base layers.

With my work clothes spread across my backseat I performed a final sweep of the boot not forgetting to pack a waterproof jacket which I rolled tightly into my pack. With my car locked I left the verge and began the short walk through the village passing the Mill Inn on the other side of the River Glenderamackin where families ate on the outside tables. Their chatter quickly faded into the distance to be replaced by the gentle flow of Glenderamackin as I walked up hill towards the familiar red telephone box which was overcome with green mold and tree sap.

That's Bannerdale Crags with the east ridge below over on the left. The weather is playing ball at the moment but after a quick check on the Met Office Weather App told me that right now these fells should be below fog! If anything the cloud is lifting and it's feeling much hotter now as I step into the afternoon I'm already regretting putting my stretchy hoodie on.

Despite what I'm presented with I'm not dismissing the forecast completely as I sense it's going to be one of those walks where the forecast can change at the flip of a coin so to speak.

The path diverts left slightly but comes to a dead end where the river bank has been washed away as seen up ahead. You do have the option to cross the river over on the left then again on't other side of the bend but you never know how deep the water is going to be so I go with the safest option and divert right and follow a series of flat stone slabs towards a footbridge where Bullfell Beck flows into the River Glenderamackin.

You can't see it but the footbridge is around the centre of the photograph.

Crossing the ridge between Bannerdale Crags and Bowscale is another notoriously boggy area and I quite enjoyed the feel of the mud and bog being kicked up onto the back of my calves. I soon caught the couple up who I'd seen leave Bannerdale Crags just before I arrived, trouble was I overtook them at a real boggy section where they'd come to a stop.

They were looking for a way around the bog which meant a lengthy detour but I'd spotted a pool which I reckoned I could jump over, 'It's gonna take a jump' I joked. Trouble was I now had an audience and knowing me I'll fall flat on my face during the run up. I placed both my walking poles in my right hand and gave it a good run up and landed on the other side of the pool with a big fat squelch.

It was whilst passing Bowscale Fell East Top summit cairn did I pass a solo walker who had his eyes glued to his phone and because of this, was walking quite slowly but quickened as he saw me approach. His body language told me he was newbie to fell walking and maybe the cloud had disorientated him and as I passed I asked him "ok pal" I couldn't grasp his reply as it was more of a mutter so I continued. Do you ever get that feeling you could have done more but selfishly didn't? That's exactly how I felt whilst walking away.

I left the cloud behind as the east ridge began its descent into Mungrisdale only for my view to be replaced my a cloud topped Carrock Fell across the Mosedale Valley.

The descent steepened where I was reminded of my last ascent here with David a few years ago now. The path winds ever steeper but a mix of soil and gravel gave good purchase underfoot aided by my walking poles. There was spots of rain in the air which didn't amount to much and if anything, the temperature increased. Below in one of the cottages the owner is mowing his lawn with a petrol lawn mower which gets louder the closer I get to the cottage.

The steepness eases and soon I pass through a wooden gate and onto tarmac where I kick my feet into the backs of my boots. My car is just a ten minute walk away and despite having all that traffic to contend with I ease of the gas and pass Mosedale Church then the idyllic Cottage which was once home to Mosedale School before descending back down the hill passing the Mill Inn which was just as busy as I'd left it nearly three hours ago.