Minus seven plus eighteen was the maths to conjure with at the start of a magical February day as we met at the western end of sleepy Askham in the lee of the Far Eastern fells. The first figure relates to the starting temperature, which was soon belied by the sunny and windless conditions. The second was the record number of souls who departed – and returned much later in the day.

Ten members lead by Barrie welcomed eight visitors so it took most of the day to sort everyone out not to mention the need for frequent head counts as we went along. The first objective of Heughscar Hill, a Wainwright outlier above Pooley Bridge, was soon reached and fine views over Ullswater were enjoyed.

A long gradual descent past the ‘Cockpit’ stone circle took us under Arthur’s Pike eventually to Howtown and the entrance to Fusedale. Fusedale is a quiet unfrequented valley running North-South between Steel Knotts and Loadpot Hill. Within spitting distance of Ullswater and its steamer connections, a visit amply repays the small effort required.

After a short coffee stop half way up the dale (bench available for the ladies!) the day’s only major climb was tackled to surmount Wether Hill – a nodule on the northern end of High Street. Views across to Helvellyn over the intervening ridges were fantastic with a mesmerising cloud inversion to put the icing on the cake.

Now heading East over Bampton Common, several minor tops above Haweswater were traversed (with time out for lunch) before eventually dropping down into Bampton village. Low level footpaths used on the Cumbrian 100 and the Three Rings next lead us North along the River Lowther through the hamlets of Knipe and Whale eventually returning us to Askham in time for most to enjoy a farewell drink in the Punchbowl Inn.

Thanks are due to Barrie for organising both the weather and a fascinating eighteen (that maths again) mile route, which we enjoyed for – you’ve guessed it – seven plus hours.