Walking the Birketts really suits my busy lifestyle, my Birkett project has come just at the right time after completing both the Harry Griffin 2,000 footers then my Wainwrights in 30 walks project from which I reckon I developed the foot injury in my right foot, with the Birkett walks averaging between 5-8 miles per walk walking the Birketts just seems the right thing to do on so many levels. My other projects have been no more than a year long but with the Birketts, well I estimate a good three years until completion and that's if I keep to schedule and that's the projects only drawback, I miss walking at freewill, I miss Mardale and I'm missing my beloved High Street.

There are two Birkett walks which include High Street and I guess anytime would be a good time to walk them but I want to wait until I'm much further into the project which means I'll just have to hold on that bit longer, until then there's walks like this, a fantastic circular walk taking in Branstree via its steep North ridge with epic views over Haweswater, Rough Crag, and High Street for the duration.

With time off work I was able to set my alarm clock that bit later which saw me arrive at an almost deserted Mardale Head around 08.50am. Its another beautiful Lakeland morning and the only thing disturbing the silence are the Gulls squawking away over Wood Howe island...no change there then. Todays walk starts just over a mile away from Mardale Head back up the Lake Road at Rowantreethwaite Beck where conveniently there is roadside parking for up to five cars. It was back in 2012 when I first climbed Branstree north ridge and if I recall one memory from that day it was how steep gaining the ridge was, today will be no different with the only exception being that experience will be on my side.

Before I officially start the walk I have a wander down the Lake Road to capture a few shots of The Rigg and High Street's Rough Crag Ridge which are looking splendid this morning.

The last time I was in Mardale was during a walk back in October 2017, Snow was on fells and the Lake road if I remember correctly was layered with ice meaning it was a pretty precarious drive to Mardale Head that morning, this morning the sun is beaming down and it feels just how a Summers day should with midges in the air while a light dew drapes over new bracken, it couldn't be more perfect.

After around ten minutes it was time to put the camera away and make my way back towards the bridge over Rowantreethwaite Beck.

Just in case you were wondering how's the blister coping, well it's much softer now thanks to the wifes moisturiser and hopefully it's ready to peel but for now it's still hanging in there like a good-un. During the drive up I had wishful thoughts where after completing this walk I might actually take a walk over High Street via Rough Crag then descend via Mardale III Bell north ridge, a favoured route of mine but within minutes of starting my ascent my blister, despite being packed with a Compeed plaster reminded me that I best keep my mileage low and at least give it a chance to heal...sorry, no pun intended.

There is access to the north ridge via a gate to the right of Rowantreethwaite Beck from where the steep ascent starts, today, it being Summer the path is almost overgrown with bracken which is still a little dewy causing the tops of my shorts to feel damp, my walking poles do a good job of steering through the undergrowth where the bracken is at its thickest.

Having left the flank of the north ridge I made a sometimes pathless ascent up the north ridge passing through pockets of Cotton Grass and grazing sheep. Soon, and over to my left the familiar sight of the two large cairns on Artle Crag which meant I was close to the summit, todays ascent was made easier due to the bogs being 'cracked dry' underfoot, I simply walked right through them.

With the summit shoulder reached I first sighted the familiar fence with Tarn Crag and Kentmere Pike in the shimmering distance, I soon picked up the faint summit path and made my way over to the sunken trig point, there wasn't a breath of wind, it was just me, a stunning vista and the Skylarks.

I jabbed my walking poles into the ground then took this shot, leaving my poles I made my way over to the fence where I sat down on a wooden sty and treated myself to the first Satsuma of the day.

I descend the shoulder of High Howes into an area known as Captain Whelter Bog, I have no idea who Captain Whelter was but I reckon he'd be surprised to find that his bog has completely dried up!

It's not very often you can cross this area without squelching your way through but today, like earlier,I walked right over the cracks.

With ease I arrived at Selside Pike summit to find a solo walker by the shelter, we broke into conversation and he told me that his father had recently passed away after collecting 196 Wainwrights, I'm not a fell walker he explained but I'm going to finish what my Dad started, he went on to joke that his Dad had left the last few Wainwrights dotted about all over the Park! No wonder he didn't get to them he laughed.

i had planned a short stop here but I didn't want to disturb the guy and after a goodbye, I left him at the summit shelter.