It's been sometime since Ive been unlucky with the weather during my birthday week which I always book off. Well it looks like my luck has ran out this week with rain forecast for much of the week with the exception of today where I had a dry but cloudy forecast ahead.

Today I chose to walk two Birkett walks divided by the lonely valley of Mosedale in the west of the district, Hen Comb and Mellbreak. Both walks start from the red phone box just outside Loweswater although it will only be this walk where I'll be starting from the official starting point owing that it would be silly to return to the starting point only to retrace my steps for Mellbreak which I'll start below the north ridge from the Mosedale side later.

After leaving the parking spaces I'll head into Mosedale before crossing Mosedale Beck, from where I head along the eastern flank of Hen Comb before the final steep ascent onto the ridge and thereafter, Hen Comb summit. Retracing my steps I descend the summit and continue north along the ridge to Little Dodd which offers fine views over Loweswater, Darling Fell and Low Fell. I continue north then descend the ridge back to cross Mosedale Beck bringing this short, but glorious walk to an end.

Due to the weather forecast it was touch and go if these walks ever went ahead at all but I took the plunge and gambled with the forecast to which I was extremely thankful for. There's a nip to the air but other than that it's bright and clear with only the highest summits below cloud and by the looks of things that won't be for long.

I allowed myself an extra half hour in bed and I knew I'd be gambling with the limited parking spaces if I arrived late but upon arrival I was lucky finding just one car had already parked up. The sun isn't supposed to be shining right now, I've had my lie in and I've parked up without any difficulties in Loweswater on a Bank Holiday Monday, I couldn't ask for more but during the course of the day, Lakeland will keep giving.

Here's todays objectives in one photo, first off is Hen Comb seen over on the right followed by a visit to Little Dodd seen far right. After Hen Comb walk I'll start the ascent on Mellbreak via the northridge which from here, looks inaccessible but there's a steep but excellent path which leads all the way to the north summit, but that's in a little while just yet.

Okay, I've had my weetabix for breakfast, it's time to head out towards Hen Comb.

I followed Birketts suggestion of walking as far as the old mine before taking on the steep ascent onto the ridge, this I did by taking regular camera breaks even though I didn't take a single photo (otherwise known as getting my breath back breaks!) Phew-wee it's a steep ascent which shouldn't be under estimated!

After crossing a wire fence the final ascent onto the summit awaited me where I was passed by the cutest little girl who with her father had wild camped close to Floutern Tarn below Great Borne "we've been camping" the little girl smiled. I have a grand daughter who isn't quite one year old yet but when she is old enough this is how I want to be seen walking the Lakeland fells.

It was such a heart warming moment for me.

By now I had the sun on my back for a few minutes and I was only hoping that this was just the start of brighter things to come knowing I'd saved the grandeur of the walks until last. From here you get a good view of my unofficial starting point which starts where the tree line ends towards the right. From there I ascend steeply towards the craggy outcrop and pass below the tree before ascending directly towards the main approach path, I'm just pleased that the steep flanks of Hen Comb gave me a taster of what's to come.

Having crossed Mosedale Beck, not before passing two families I make my way towards the edge of the treeline and check the time, it's exactly 10:59am.