Well, what a difference four days can make in stark contrast to the freezing temperatures I experienced on Blencathra last Monday to today were I burned my head on what is considered to be one of Lakelands best ridge walks. Today I'm walking the Ill Bell Ridge from Troutbeck Bridge following a route that I haven't walked since December 2011.

As delightful as the III Bell Ridge is one of this walks main attractions to me personally are the lonely summits of Sour Howes and Sallows, two summits that I'm particular fond and which I haven't visited since September 2016. After taking in the delights of the III Bell Ridge and after a early lunch stop at Thornthwaite Crag I will be guided back to Troutbeck Bridge by Hag Gill as its meanders its way through the wonderful Troutbeck Valley.

Its not very often we are blessed with wall to wall sunshine for the first Bank Holiday of the year and its all to easy to aim high and head for Scafell Pike or Helvellyn which no doubt would of seen hundreds cross their summits, today was all about taking it easy, I was in no rush today and I must of been overtaken by everyone along the III Bell Ridge which is very much unlike me, but whilst they were heading off for the next summit I was sat down taking in the views and listening to the wind as it blew through the wild grasses, the kind of walk which had it of been your last, you wouldn't of complained.

I had no issues with the Bank Holiday traffic and arrived in Troutbeck earlier than expected at around 07:40am. There was only one other car at the parking spaces at Troutbeck Bridge who's owner was loading gear into his pack and 'mornings' are shared. Beneath the canopy of trees alongside Trout Beck the morning air is cool and to take the nip away I add a soft shell jacket, why I did this still baffles me as I removed it ten minutes into the walk. The guy was still kiting up as I locked my car and I wondered of his route, happen like me, he's heading for the Garburn Pass. I left the car and headed for the Church yard who's famous daffodils are by now starting to wilt a little which was a shame, reckon I should of had my Troutbeck urge some weeks ago! After taking a few snaps I left the Church yard and headed right again and through the trees as I crossed Troutbeck Bridge I could still see the chap kiting up, by eck he's on some expedition I thowt.

After crossing a deserted A592 I started the steady climb out of Troutbeck on the Garburn Pass, a canopy of trees overhead keeps me cool while I passed through The Howe as morning light pierced through the tree branches while Lambs Ba'h to their hearts content on the other side of a stone wall. Its time for todays first of many stops just a few minutes after leaving the car, I really should do this more often.

Now free from the trees I have this undisturbed view over Troutbeck including the Church down below. I've only been walking for the best part of ten minutes but already I'm starting to feel the heat so off comes the soft shell and up go the sleeves. It was at this point I recorded a short clip which I shared to my Facebook page which isn't something I would normaly do but I felt everyone in my phone should see and hear the delights of the country side from Troutbeck this morning.

Before I started my ascent on Sour Howes from the familiar sty above the pass I'm joined by the fellow from the car park and Hi's are again exchanged "are you heading for High Street he asked?" no not today I replied as I shared my route "I'm heading for High Street he said, them I'm going to come back over Thornthwaite, Caudale Moor, drop down to Kirkstone Pass then head up Red Screes then Fairfield, I'll then drop down into Grasmere and get the bus back" flippin eck I smiled, that's some bloody route your walking "aye he says, I've got the time so why not"

From the summit of Sallows I followed a prominent path north and within minutes I had a fine view of the Garburn Pass below, I count an incredible sixteen walkers heading for Yoke must of whom are walking in pairs short distances apart, below two more walkers are about to cross the top of the pass followed by two more out of shot on route from Kentmere and its not 09:00am yet.

Its going to be a busy one.

I had created some distance between myself the other walkers and by the time I reached the summit shoulder I passed two young girls who are getting up from a rest.

Despite it only being mid-morning the temperature was by now in the early twenties and the going was tough with a hot sun bearing down which was a far cry from last Monday on Blencathra were the only burn I was recieved was wind burn.

I think its time I slowed things down a little.

This photo was taken off path after deciding all this sunshine and fantastic views were too good to waste so I de-shouldered my pack, picked a nice spot of dry grass and just listened to the wind for a few moments.

Bloody magic.

The summit of Thornthwaite Crag was busy, in fact it was as busy as I'd ever seen but that didn't stop me finding a quiet spot shy east of the summit were I once again soaked up the atmosphere accompanied by the odd call from a Skylark, a gentle breeze, and views of my beloved High Street.

There was no need to rush so I took my time during this descent passing a couple then a lady walking on her own, they were to be the last people I'd see until I arrived back at my car.

To have Troutbeck to myself was todays goal of which I thought was unachieveble due the busy Bank Holiday crowds, I'm going to savor every step through this valley and who could blame me.

The sun continued to scorch my forehead and I for one wasn't complaining after finishing my 2.5ltr Camelbac I started on my third litre of hydration nearing the end of the Ing Lane. Truss Lane was soon reached which rises steadily onto Kirkstone Pass were I emerged into civilization and managed to cross the road without a single car in sight. Instead of heading back down the A592 I continued ahead in the direction of Troutbeck's most famous pub 'The Mortal Man' were I thought about stopping for a pint but it I'm honest I'm way to hot and sweaty to be ordering from a public bar.

I head left and soon the Church tower comes into view then the graveyard were I started this walk just under five and a half hours ago.