I thought it might have been a rest day. But my plans were thwarted by a lack of planning…..

I had decided to ‘pop’ up Seat Sandal, which I did and enjoyed immensely even though it’s a bit of a climb from Dunmail Raise. The views were stunning, and I only got rained on briefly.

Pippa met a Herdwick

Grizedale Tarn and St Sunday Crag

Seat Sandal with the Langdale Pikes beyond

A fairly rapid descent and a banana in the car. I think Pippa thought that was it for the day, but I had other plans.

I parked just outside Grasmere and headed up to Stone Arthur, thinking that I’d not been there before. I hadn’t marked it on the map so I couldn’t have been. It was only when I got back home that I checked and I’d been there in December 2003. So it was a bit of a wasted ascent. However, the views were fine and it will keep me fit.

Stone Arthur

There are some very fine houses in Grasmere and the trees were stunning.

A quick dash into Grasmere to Pay & Display for an hour – just enough for a trip up Silver How.

Silver How with Helm Crag, Seat Sandal and Fairfield

I made it in 57 minutes.

And then it was on to Rydal where it was a bit of a challenge to get going again as it’s quite a pull up from the village.

We climbed to Nab Scar and the weather was impressive – sunbeams over Loughrigg and Grasmere.

Pippa resting before the descent while I admired the sunbeams

Sunbeams over Rydal Water and Grasmere

So after a long day, an extra Wainwright, 1600 m of ascent and a few kilometres, we were both shattered.

Perhaps tomorrow we’ll have a rest day. Oh no, wait a moment…I’ve promised to walk with some friends tomorrow.

Wainwrights to go: 49