One For the Road

Wainwrights: Great Mell Fell

Last day today for us as the weather tomorrow doesn't look too good and even today thunderstorms were forecasted for the afternoon.

Had a nice morning actually with a bit of sun and no wind at all, you could tell that something was brooding. Fells in the haze and all sorts of cloud formations in the sky and above all it felt really thick again.
Got up at six, I simply couldn't sleep anymore. Just sat in the porch whilst Rich was blissfully asleep.
Eventually cooked up another one of those glorious breakfast baps, and drove off East for a wee walk. The weather looked least menacing this way.

Turned off the busy A66 at Troutbeck heading South. Then left onto a minor road for a few minutes. Dumped the car alongside the road next to our path up the hill and started our walk around 11am.

As warm and humid as it was,  we were soon sweating again as the grassy path led along a wood and then onto the open hill side. Views were quite lovely again despite the haze. The cluster of hills around Glenridding and Ullswater was very impressive and we could even make out Helvellyn.

After only 37 mins we were at the top of this lovely wee fell. 360 degree views were the reward of the sweaty ascent.  The whole Blencathra range was looming in the not so far distance. Sharp Edge just about visible.  Flat farmland to the North and East a nice change of scenery.

Heading up to the top of Great Mell Fell

Blencathra range 

Ullswater fells

Walked down after a short break and were back at the car at noon. We both didn't really fancy bagging Little Mell Fell, so we drove back to the camp site, chilled or snoozed (I was sooo tired! Fell asleep instantly.) and had a shower.

Then headed down into town with thunder rolling in the distance, but we never actually got into any of the thunderstorms.  Boo.
Had coffee and crepes and just wandered around a bit. Went to the butcher once more where we were recognised from the days before and had a nice chat with the guy behind the counter.
Bought some of the gorgeous black pudding sausages, more smoked bacon and some garlic steaks.
Next stop cheese deli. Somehow managed not to spend a ridiculous amount of money.
Some aimless wandering around the numerous outdoor shops with nothing special in mind.

Just having a couple of pints now before heading to the Dog and Gun pub to have some of their famed goulash.

What a fantastic time we've had once more in the Lake District. Didn't do any of the long circular routes ticking off half a dozen hills or so. Instead we had slightly shorter walks and enjoyed every minute of it.
I still got to bag quite a few Wainwrights, having now done a third of the 214.

There is still so much to do and explore up here in the Northern part of the Lake District. Castlerigg Campsite was once more a pretty nice, convenient and affordable place to stay. We can easily come back here two or three more times before we can truly say we've done most of what there is to do.

Leaving tomorrow with no hurry. We still have all of Sunday to acclimatise back at home before the working life hits us again. Every day routine, whilst thinking of Lakeland fells.