While David planned a weekend of walking with Jennifer by midweek Rod and I were swapping emails on where to walk. The forecast was for a dry Saturday and even though the forecast had predicted it, it was up in the air whether we were going to get any sunshine. I asked Rod did he fancy climbing Yewbarrow from Overbeck which for me all depended on a bright forecast which we were still unsure of so Rod came up with a plan B of Black Crag and Holme Fell from Yewtree Tarn.

As usual at this time of year I've I lost count on how many times the forecast changes during the last 24hrs but at least the basis remained dry. By Friday evening it looked like we were going to get our sunshine so we confirmed a meeting time of 08:30am at Overbeck - Fast forward to 04:30am when my alarm clock went off and the forecast had changed again.

I text Rod and suggested the Black Crag walk then before Rod had the chance to reply I text him again saying "scrap what I've just said, we'll take the chance with Yewbarrow" Despite only summiting Yewbarrow half a dozen times or so I must admit I do feel I have a connection with the fell more so last November Yewbarrow being the first Lakeland fell I returned to after the death of my father. No matter how much you try not to think about it the lure to return will always be there.

It's a cool morning with little to no wind at valley level but it only took a few minutes for my hands to feel the pinch so I threw my jacket on, slipped on a pair of gloves and had a walk over to the beach opposite the car park. I'd already seen the paddle boarder during my drive along the shoreline and for the second time this morning I repeated "rather you than me" Sunlight by now was inching into the valley and soon the eastern flank of Yewbarrow will be cast in morning light. I'm getting a little bit worried wondering if Rod had mis-read my text, flip he could be waiting at Yewtree Tarn and with no signal, who would know. It's about 08:20am and I wander back to the car and take long swigs of Summer fruits from a bottle I kept on the passenger seat.

I hear a car engine and Rod turns onto the car park "ey up mate" I smile "you get the text" "What text" Rod asked "never mind" I replied. After recent rain Over Beck is in full flow and never far from earshot as I stand on its tree lined bank. Over my shoulder Rod is still kitting up whilst chomping on a banana so I walk up the path then leave it for a wider view of Yewbarrow's South ridge which by now is half in shade, half in sunshine. I'm raring to go as I watch Rod complete his kit up then loop his hands into the handles of his walking poles. that's it we're off.

Climbing up through the lower gully this morning presented us with a few challenges where what appeared to be a good line of ascent saw us clambering back down looking at alternative routes of ascent. It was starting to feel like a problem solving exercise until we made it to the top of the gully where I asked Rod did he fancy making a direct ascent on Great Door.

This ascent is via a steep and narrow grass rake which wasn't the problem, the problem was how wet the grass was which would have soaked us through so I found a second stonier rake further to the left which I'd never ascended before beginning our ascent on Great Door. That's Rod in the foreground.

We'd regained composure whilst at Great Door but before we left noticed that ashes had been scattered on the footpath. You tend to see scattered ashes quite a lot and who could blame anyone for wanting to be scattered at a legendery landmark like Great Door.

We could head straight back to the cars from here but it's way too nice to waste good sunshine so we decide to head to Dore Head for a spot of lunch and some sight seeing.

Footnote: Over Beck - the valley Overbeck - the beck

It was Rod who suggested earlier that we try the alternative 'higher right path' back through Over Beck and what a great decision it turned out to be. I'm more used to walking the left path which is often water logged and in places, pretty rocky under foot.

The right path was also wet underfoot but less rockier and therefore much quicker not like we were in a rush mind. We agreed to leave the path once the wooden footbridge over Overbeck was reached which we descended steeply towards before picking up the diagonal path which lead us directly back to Yewbarrow's south ridge.

Sunlight shimmered over the surface of Wast Water as we made our way back to the cars while at the same time Overbeck flowed steeply down to our right. By now the temperature had climbed into double figures but my layers made it feel much warmer than it actually was. A thick canopy of trees prevented us from seeing Overbeck which channelled into tight chasms before the falls gave way for the much gentler flow as I had seen this morning. The Scafells by now are almost cloud free and in the Winter sun, domineer the valley.

We entered a full car park but the place still felt as quiet as it had this morning. Whilst Rod was still kitting down I had a quick wander to the beach just as I had this morning only now the valley is filled with sunshine and I get that feeling that I often get at the end of a walk. I don't want to leave.