Taking advantage of the fine Bank Holiday weather, David came up with a route that none of us had walked in a few years, in fact a section of the route between High Seat and High Tove had been paved a couple of years ago, and we wanted to see it for ourselves.

I have walked the Central Ridge (Bleaberry Fell to High Tove) several times, but like most folk, I'm put off by its notorious bogs, more so between High Seat and High Tove, an area known as The Pewits, just writing that would shiver down the spine of anyone who's been there. I've walked the ridge just three times, twice over frozen ground and once in drought, the latter being completely dry underfoot, a rare experience. 

I'm unsure of the exact date, but perhaps a couple of years ago the section linking High Seat with High Tove was paved, and back then the trio added the walk to our ever increasing 'to do list' It had only rained a handful of times within the last ten days, and whilst the seasoned weather allowed most visitors to enjoy the likes of Scafell Pike, Blencathra or Helvellyn we took the perfect opportunity to walk the Central Ridge.

We had arranged to use two cars, leaving one at Turnip Corner close to Bridge End Farm, Thirlmere, and the other a couple of miles further north at Nest Brow where Castle Lane meets the A591. I was already parked up next to, would you believe, a trailer load of turnips when David arrived around 8:00am, and after I switched my gear into his car, we drove north to Nest Brow.

It was a chilly morning with the temperature hovering just above freezing as we sat chatting in David's car waiting for Rod and Michael to arrive, but there was huge potential for it to warm up with clear blue skies over our heads. Rod and Michael soon arrived, and we completed our kit up at the side of the A591 all remembering to wear long trousers with the added protection of gaiters. After locking our cars, we strode across a deserted A591 and through the gate before heading towards Castlerigg Farm with views of Walla Crag, todays first summit.

We joined the road on the west side of Thirlmere and walked below the rugged cliffs of Fisher Crag and Raven Crag under warm afternoon sunshine before arriving at the dam, which was busy with visitors, one of whom was verbally amazed at the engineering required to deliver water to the homes of Manchester, all fed by gravity. More visitors are passed, some on foot and some on two wheels. 

It feels like a proper summers day now, confirmed by slightly tanned faces and empty water bottles. Bridge End Farm is passed, as is the camp site opposite, which was packed with statics, tourers and tents. We could have included High Rigg in to the walk, which would have taken us back to Nest Brow and our waiting cars, but who knew the day would have turned out as nice as it did? Besides, there's a lift waiting at the side of a pile of turnips at the end of the road.