Today I'm back in the land that I love following Birketts Helvellyn by Striding Edge and Swirral Edge walk which Birkett describes as "one of Lakelands finest outings" and I have to agree despite its massive popularity you would be hard pressed to find a more exhilarating day on the fells than gaining Helvellyn via Striding Edge followed subsequently by the descent of Swirral Edge before looking back on your work from the summit of Catstye Cam, nope, mountain days don't come much finer than that.

I was again at the mercy of the forecast which had predicted a bright start to the day however, low cloud was forecasted to settle over the summits with the chance of rain by late morning so with a completion time of around 4hrs I thought I'd try my luck by giving myself an early (ish) start whereby I should have completed the walk before the low cloud and rain arrived, well I got that bit wrong with the cloud arriving by mid morning soon followed by light rain showers, that wasn't to say I hadn't already taken advantage of the brilliant display of sunlight which dashed the Helvellyn basin before my boots had the chance to strike Striding Edge, for that display alone was worth the walk back to Glenrididng in the rain.

You can't half tell the kids have gone back to School, this morning was the quietest I've ever seen Glenridding hesitant to say I had no trouble parking seeing that I was first on the car park so I conveniently parked right next to the ticket machine which charged me £5.40 for 4hrs parking, that should do it. Yesterdays high winds have gone over to today which I felt the moment I opened my car door, the temperature had also taken a drop meaning by the time I walked over to the banks of Glenridding Beck to take this photo I knew I should have worn long trousers instead of shorts, flipping eck.

The morning light is low for now with high white cloud above but I can see large amounts of blue sky in between which was just what was forecast, it's still early and the sun is low but by my reckoning it should start to brighten up within the next half hour. After a quick kit check/pat down I left the car park and started to make my way away from the village towards the Travellers Rest.

Having made the descent via Catstye Cam East ridge I linked up with the path alongside Red Tarn Beck which further down flows into Glenridding Beck. It was here I pass numerous groups making their ascents towards Red Tarn, whereafter I was unsure as I didn't ask, one woman asked of my route replying "well at least I'm heading in the right direction" while I replied "I hope it stays dry for you"

I'd just said the dreaded words I think...!

The rain continued on and off as I left Swarth Beck behind and started the walk back to Glenridding via the familiar concrete path where I seemed to passed by dozens of delivery vans all heading for the Outdoor Centre. On the opposite side of the valley two figures have just descended Mires Beck and by the looks of it it's the young lads I'd spoken to earlier.

Happen we're going to arrive back in Glenridding at the same time.

The showers continued during my walk back at Glenridding right about the same time the lads arrived at the junction at the head of the village, by now I was a few steps ahead but I looked back and gave them a wave before watching them disappear into the Travellers Rest no doubt for a well earned celebratory pint after tackling Helvellyn via Striding Edge. The car park was much busier when got back and it had started to rain again so I used my tailgate to shelter under while I removed my boots finding that the car next to me had parked so close I had no alternative other than to get in through my passenger door which required a few 'moves' to clear the gear knob which was all to no avail having checked my rear view mirror realising that I'd left the bloody tailgate open.

What a day though.