Todays original plan was to traverse Striding Edge from Patterdale but the previous night I'd remembered about the resurfacing work between Patterdale and Dockray which has created a nightmare 47 mile detour. That said I thought I'd try my luck on the off chance I could still park in Patterdale and complete the walk. After passing Hartsop I passed a sign reading 'Patterdale Business Open As Usual' so I thought 'great' it looks like I'll be able to park in the village. Two minutes later I was stopped in my tracks by a manned barrier at the junction where the road bridge passes over Goldrill Beck. Bugger, it wasn't just me quite a few drivers had thought the same and like me, had to turn around.

I span around and started to make my way towards Deepdale Bridge where I still had plenty of options to plan a walk from. There was only one other car parked up when I arrived and by the time I'd applied the handbrake I knew where I'd be walking. It had to be a re-visit to Fairfield, ascent via The Step. For anyone who hasn't gained Fairfield via The Step be prepared for a tough slog, prepare by eating three weetabix then eat three more. Gaining The Step is via Link Cove which is a fantastic ascent and not to be confused with ascent via Greenhow End via a series of grass rakes but on a personal level, I prefer the Link Cove option. The only thing which could have made this walk even better than it did were the perfect conditions I walked it in.

With my boots laced up I locked the car and walked up the lane towards Deepdale Hall stepping aside to let a transit van pass. I'd only been walking for less than a minute and the strong sunlight was already causing my eyes to stream which is a small price to pay for the Autumnal sunshine.

At the top of the lane builders work on a extension at one of the cottages which explains the transit van minutes earlier. I turned left and passed through the first of two gates by which time the sun had just crested above Gray Crag casting brilliant sunlight over the adjoining fields.

I'd paced myself making sure I only stopped once the designated markers where reached. The sheep were the final marker who scurried around me and vaulted back down the slope.

I was never far away from the sound of cascading water and was treated to this waterfall at the edge of the cove which fed the two lover falls. Funny, I don't remember this water fall during my last visit though.

Hart Crag (left) and Scrubby Crag (right) dominate Link Cove and even though I was still getting my breath back I was starting to plot my route of ascent. Once into the sunlight I head towards the large boulder seen foreground, then ascend towards the right of the scree continuing on to the base of Scrubby Crag from where I'll pick up what appears to be a grass terrace before ascending right towards the grass gully seen far right.

The vastness of Link Cove makes things appear much smaller than they actually are as I soon discover.

From the top of the gully a faint track traces towards Link Hause but if you want to take in the views in to Hog Hole and Cawk Cove head right and follow the ridge line which forms The Step from Greenhow End.

I left a deserted Fairfield summit and began the short descent towards Cofa Pike, then the even shorter ascent on Cofa Pike always remembering the large rock to the right of the summit which when navigating the path below, can easily throw you off balance.

With more rock steps, twist and turns than you can shake a stick at the descent from Cofa Pike requires a lot more concentration than if going t'other way around.

From Deepdale Hause I began the enjoyable ascent on St Sunday Crag and passed three walkers heading towards the hause. Cloud was still swirling over Fairfield summit which added a little drama to the view.

Two more walkers were passed as I crested the summit shoulder as I arrived at St Sunday Crag the same time as a young couple from the opposite direction. I took this photo and quickly left not wanting to be the summit hog before begining the short descent towards Gavel Pike.

With the walk almost over I kicked my feet into the backs of my boots and the shift felt heavenly. It was approaching that time when my stomach began to perform somersaults, I knew the walk would end soon but conditions were just too perfect and thanks to resurfacing work in Patterdale, I'd walked the perfect walk under perfect conditions. The autumn sunshine continued to shine down as I left the Deepdale valley behind where it was approaching 20°C heat.

I'm joined by a hound from a nearby farm who inquisitively barks at me and for a slight moment I wondered should I be worried, the dog pee's and continues to bark only this time she's wagging her tail. The dog followed me for a few minutes before vaulting over a wall into the farm yard. I join the farm track where the noise from a chain saw from nearby woodland breaks the afternoon silence. I pass through the gate, its coating of morning frost long gone then the second gate over looked by the same builder I'd seen this morning. I'm just minutes away from the car now as sheep graze in nearby fields undisturbed by the noisy chainsaw before crossing Deepdale Beck for the last time today.