We had set our sights on our first big walk of the year, the Fairfield Horseshoe, which David had been intending to do for some months but never got around to. Thursday evening brought snow to the highest Lakeland fells, which included Fairfield and well below. We had a green light forecast from midweek and had arranged to start from Rydal, where parking is stricter than it used to be so the plan was to leave two cars parked in the lay-by outside Grasmere and jump into one car which will be left at Rydal. I left home under starry skies, and even though I knew it wouldn't be quite as clear in Lakeland, my heart dropped when I saw how thick the cloud was over Lakeland from as far away as Lancaster. By the time I'd reached Ambleside, it had begun to rain, and by the time I'd parked up outside Grasmere, it was pouring it down. 

The frustration of yet another incorrect forecast poured out of me as I waited for David and Rod to arrive, and once they did, we discussed our options while the rain poured down the windscreen. I had a good wi-fi signal, and the Met Office confirmed what lay ahead: rain and fog, two of the worst conditions. Why this couldn't have been forecasted last night is beyond me at a point when it shouldn't really be called a forecast any longer, more like a present cast which is no use to anyone. We all agreed to continue with our planned walk; after all, if the weather gets worse, we can always duck out from Great Rigg or even Fairfield.

After leaving my car at Grasmere, we drove to Rydal in Rod's and managed to grab the last parking spot, all be it by the side of a very large pothole. It was still raining as we kitted up, but it had slackened off, and through cloud the grey-blue sky was starting to appear. With that, we decided not to add waterproof over-trousers for now. Groups of walkers were passing, no doubt walking the Fairfield Horseshoe just as we were.

Once kitted up, Rod locked his car as we began the steep push towards Hart Head Farm (now holiday cottages), passing Rydal Mount along the way. By now, it had stopped raining, and water was now draining over an already heavily eroded footpath. It was only when we started to gain some height did we realise that the skies were clearing, revealing blue skies all around. We couldn't believe our luck.

We left Nab Scar and ascended into cloud so thick at times our visibility was down to twenty or thirty metres at best, on the plus side without the wind it was eerily quiet other than the sound of Rydal Beck in the valley below.

By now we'd come to the unanimous decision to call the horseshoe off and instead head for Great Rigg and return via Stone Arthur, given the conditions it was an easy decision to make but that didn't mean it didn't leave a bitter after taste.

We stopped for an early lunch above Greenhead Gill were it was pleasantly mild to sit and enjoy the views and people watch as they made their way towards Stone Arthur. The blue skies never really returned as we packed up lunch and began our final descent towards Grasmere first passing the rapids of Greenhead Gill flanked by luxury cottages on both sides where we noticed a few trees had began to bloom flowers which seemed early for February. The plan was to return to Rydal by the Coffin Route but given the likelihood of more rain we decided to join the crowds and head into Grasmere instead.

Grasmere was as busy as expected which was great from a business point of view but not so great if your not fans of crowds. We hooked a left at Sam Read's book shop and another just before St Oswalds church instantly leaving the hustle behind in favour of the soothing sound of the Rothay. Cloud had descended onto Nab Scar's summit now and despite feeling bitter about the forecast we all agreed we'd done right thing. The Fairfield Horseshoe certainly deserved better than the conditions we'd been dealt today.