Leader Derek reports

Only three set out on what turned out to be a very enjoyable walk. Louise, Barrie, and Leader Derek were the select band of C.L.D.W.A. members (for once outnumbering guest and visitors) who ventured forth. Having just endured a hefty shower (in the car) it was deemed advisable to don waterproofs at the outset. This was a wise choice because it ensured we did not have a drop of rain during the whole day despite an iffy forecast.

We soon worked up a sweat on the first climb of the day through the trees and onto the grassy summit of Great Mell Fell. Superb all round views were enjoyed as Louise and I waited (in vain) for Barrie to attempt to capture the moment by photographing all three of us at the summit from a precariously placed camera on a wobbly rucksack balanced on a wobbly grass tuft. Needless to say it didn’t work!

We made a rapid descent and started on the longer climb up to Little Mell Fell. Again we enjoyed great views of the Lakeland Fells in fitful but welcome sunshine with High Street and the Helvellyn Range topped with snow. On the summit there was a unanimous decision to dispense with Barrie's improvised camera trickery and instead we settled for a brief enjoyment of the view and another quick descent to warmer parts. A short section of road walking lead to a strategically placed seat where we stopped and had a coffee break - with Barrie with us stopping for 'elevenses' is mandatory.

Fully refreshed we took the path through the steaming woods of Swinburn Park before climbing up onto Gowbarrow Park. Our third ascent of the day took in Airy Crag and from there we crossed the undulating soggy terrain of Gowbarrow before enjoying some terrific views of Ullswater on the descent from Green Hill. At the bottom we enjoyed spectacular vews of Aira Force and having climbed up the 80+ steps from the waterfall we were lucky to find an empty seat to have our lunch in the sunshine.

After lunch we climbed the soggy boggy pathway up the side of Glencoyne Park before a steep little testing path brought us onto the fellside. Not content with following a reasonably civilised path around the side of Watermillock Common the intrepid three decided a moorland yomp was in order. Having climbed through the knee high grassy hummocks of Swineside Knott we followed the ridge to Common Fell before the long final descent of the day through the reeds and boggy bits to Dockray.

Yomps bring on thirsts and it wasn't long before Louise dragged us into the Royal Hotel - naturally kicking and screaming. Once Barrie and I had got over the shock of seeing Louise down her drink in 2.6 seconds flat it was time for the last part of the journey. We skirted the bottom of Gowbarrow Park to reach Ulcat Row (pronounced Ulc't Raw according to photographer/local linguist extraordinaire Barrie). From here we crossed a bog and lots of mud onto the road, through Matterdale End, and finally in the gathering dusk back to the cars. A cracking walk.