Walter

We were sat having some snap when a dog called Walter trotted over and started inspecting our lunchboxes. I know his name was Walter because his owners kept calling him back, but he ignored them. Walter was the spit and image of Snowy in the Tintin books. It was a freezing cold day. So cold, I couldn't bite into my peanut crunch bar and was having to dip it in my coffee to melt it. I noticed that although Walter had plentiful, curly hair on top he was seriously lacking any on his undercarriage. It made me wince a little, just looking at him. He wandered back to his owners when he realised there was no food on offer. I feared for Walter. I did think of Googling 'Frostbite On Dog's Todgers' after the walk, but on reflection thought it might not look good on my internet search history. 

Hart Crag To Fairfield

I always find the part between Hart Crag and Fairfield the most interesting on the horseshoe. The ascent to Hart Crag becomes rockier, the path less distinct and the rise in elevation an indication that the walk is getting a little more serious. The summit of Fairfield is that little bit closer and achievable. The sting in the tail is having to drop down to Link Hause to then go back up again .The reward for this is that it offers a great view of Scrubby Crag. Just one more rocky climb and Fairfield summit wasn't far away.

Fairfield

Fairfield summit is quite an extensive flat area. I always feel at a bit of a loss as to what to do when I get there. There is no trig point that you can wander to, touch, and say that you have reached today's target. We plodded across the summit to the other side to get a view of Cofa Pike and the Helvellyn range. We could see somebody making their way across Cofa Pike. Then we wandered back again. I suggested that we might hunker down in one of the stone shelters to have our lunch, but Calse and Mo rejected it even before I'd finished the suggestion. 'Too windy'. 'Too cold'. So we continued our way back across the summit. The majority of time I've been on Fairfield's summit it has been misty. Today though was clear with a wonderful winter sky with the clouds having a feathered look.

Hart Crag To Fairfield

We found a lunch spot over the other side of Great Rigg. It passed Calse and Mo's requirements in that it was neither too cold, nor too windy.

The low sun made Alcock Tarn sparkle. The hard work for the day had been done and we relaxed as we strolled over Heron Pike. The path down Nab Scar can be hard on the knees but there is always a view down to Rydal Water, and over to Ambleside, to distract you. It was getting quite dark as we made our way through Rydal. We followed a couple of groups of other walkers that were making their way back to Ambleside. A few of the fallen trees from Storm Arwen had been moved or sawn up. Across the valley we could see a bonfire in the garden of the house that propped up the huge tree that had fallen on its roof.

I sometimes wish I'd kept a diary so that I could work out how many times I'd summitted Fairfield. But there again, what does it matter...just enjoy the day.