To start I'd like to bring you all up to speed, I'm still walking from a list of 'must do' walks which I concocted during the lockdowns, normal walking and a return to walking the Birketts will resume but I'm not sure when as it's a pretty long list. I last walked this route during my Harry Griffin Lakeland 2,000 footers project back in 2015 - it was a walk that stood out for so many reasons and a walk, when I look back at that project stands out as one of the best.

I've chopped and changed the route slightly and not included the out and back to Iron Fell (Ennerdale Fell) and as it turns out I also left out Scoat Fell and Steeple (two fells that I included) as the heat of the day got the better of me not helped because I was suffering from heatstroke brought on from a family BBQ on Sunday and spending too much time in the sun on Monday...I guess being the typical bloke I didn't feel the need to add sun cream in my own back garden and I paid the price for that with todays walk.

I can walk in most conditions but even when I'm feeling tip-top walking in heat affects me like no other which I guess is the reason why I always over compensate in carrying excessive amounts of hydration - today I'm carrying 3ltrs in my bladder pack plus x2 500ml bottles of Lucozade Sport in my packs side pockets. Even with just the essentials my pack seemed to groan under its weight the flip side of which mean't I could sip at free will, the downside of course meant it weighed the same as a sleeping six year old tied to my back.

Still not feeling right I hydrated during the long drive west and arrived at the parking spaces at Wast Water around 8.00am The valley was partly in shade with a lovely breeze which compensated for the double figured early morning temperature. After drinking one 500ml bottle of Lucozade I started on a second bottle while lacing up at the back of the car, if I was going to flag today it wasn't going to be because I was dehydrated.

The car parking spaces were quickly filling up mostly by vans with canoes or paddle boards attached to roof racks but all that mattered for now was that I was parked and that I needed to make sure nothing was missed during my kit up, I was certainly feeling a lot more relaxed than I was half an hour ago when I feared I wouldn't be able to park at my desired spot. After one final sweep of the boot I locked the car, clipped my car keys into my packs security pocket and headed towards Greendale passing a young girl who was squeezing her car inbetween two camper vans.

It was becoming clear that the heat of the morning was starting to affect me finding myself slowing down. Behind me the young girl who I had seen parking earlier was closing in on me and within minutes she would overtake the 'old man' I made it easier for her and stopped to fuel up on more Lucozade but just twenty yards back, she stopped too...Up ahead the couple continue between short stops too and soon they disappear out of view.

Further up the slope the young girl finally over took me then shortly afterwards I slipped past as she rested hand on hips off path "you just gotta keep picking at it I joked" she smiled back while nodding. At least I thought, it wasn't just me who was affected by the heat.

I seemed to regain strength helped on by the shade and breeze that had turned gustier to the point I thought about adding my soft shell. With no false summit I crested the shoulder and walked towards the trig point while controlling my breathing - poles held aside in 'reached summit exhausted position' ! The young couple weren't far behind which I had noted from their conversation during the ascent and soon one turned into three "it's a bit cooler up here I smiled" the young lad nodded "I'm so glad it's clouded over, I thought my head was going to explode during our ascent of Middle Fell" again I was pleased it wasn't just me who suffered during that ascent.

It appeared that this was their first summit of Seatallan and were planning to descend via the south west ridge going onto Buckbarrow, when asked my route I pointed out the traverse below Haycock via Bown Band, Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple to which the lad replied "blimey you mean business" I laughed replying that I was trying to get my fell fitness back 'the hard way' "you're not joking" he nodded. We all realised it was too cool to be standing in what can only be described as a 'brisk wind' so we parted with 'enjoy the rest of your day' oddly, despite their chosen route it wasn't the last I would see of the couple.

I still had half a mile or so to walk until I reached the parking spaces, which I walked while the afternoon sun scorched my already baked skin to a crispy brown albeit a tad on the tender side. Traffic continued to come and go some of which I had to step aside to let pass while others took there chances just missing the well done bloke. My car was surrounded with couples and kids in wet suits whose cars had dinghies, canoes and paddle boards strapped to their roofs and despite the area resembling a hot Summer day at the beach the mood was light, everyone just wanted to enjoy the sunshine any which way they could.

My means of enjoying the sunshine is walking the Lakeland fells, I dreamed of it during the lockdowns, I dreamed of hearing bird song over the wind and watching the wild grass sway, I dreamed of pushing my limits but not while being burned to a crisp, losing my engine and feeling a tad on the sick side. Lessons have been learned and next time when Paula tells me off for not adding sun cream maybe I'll listen. What a day though.