It was during last Saturdays superb walk did David mention he fancied walking the Fairfield Horseshoe adding that he'd probably walk it during the week and that "it only had to be dry" This was somewhere on the Gatescarth Pass where I stopped to mention that I'd had a day off in the week too due to not being available for a walk on the weekend of the 22nd. It was like two worlds just collided "fancy it then" We let the weekend pass to see how the weeks forecast would pan out and by Tuesday we agreed Thursday looked the best day with sunshine forecast until late morning, perfect. We had arranged to meet at the parking spaces outside Rydal Church at 07:00am where I arrived even more early than normal at 06:30am, the same time I was reminded that I'd be getting ready to leave for work right about now. David arrived about ten minutes later by which time I was lacing up at the back of the car. Given the hour we had no trouble parking and completed our kit up under clear skies and chilled morning temperatures.

It was a cold start and nothing like last weekends tropical highs, this morning it was back to the O'l routine, layers, hats and gloves. We were ready to move off within five minutes and began the steep climb passing Rydal Mount - calfs screaming, lungs busting...Okay I exaggerate but for anyone who has walked this steep lane I'm sure you would agree it can be a bit of a lung buster straight from the car. Five minutes later we opened a wooden gate onto open fell side where through the trees Nab Scar was dabbled in bright morning sunshine. With height gained the trees gave way for uninterrupted views of vibrant fell side right at the same time the sun was inching above Wansfell Pike over our shoudlers. I didn't think the dead bracken could look so alive but it did, especially when set against the bluest of skies.

With lunch over we re-shouldered and continued the final section of ridge as glimpses of Rydal Park appeared over the wall to our right, Ambleside dead ahead. We soon ourselves atop of the notorious Bad Step where from above we plotted our descent, I at first opted to sway right but found the crag to high to risk a shimmy down, so we both strayed right, crossed the top of the crag and descended into a narrow ravine. In all the times I've ascended this bad step, I've never familiarised myself enough with the crag to find the perfect way up or down instead, always opting for different routes.

We had chosen to descend not quite as far as Low Sweden Bridge where the ridge had been in the sun causing the familiar bogs and marshes to be boggier than we'd seen all morning. Fell runners and walkers appeared in their droves all heading towards Low Pike some or into Scandale - had my legs not covered the mileage I'd have joined them such the temptation of the valley in the Spring sunshine.

We finally left the bogs behind for a great stone path and with Low Sweden Bridge below we hooked a right and descended into Rydal Park. The sun was still blazing but as soon as we joined the path through Rydal cloud had gathered casting the whole park in shade. The path allowed us to walk at pace passing the paths only two other occupants, an elderly couple who we passed with a 'hello' Rydal Hall appeared to our right passing The Grot with its eye pleasing waterfall beyond. Leaving Rydal Park we opened the gate onto Rydal Mount our cars just a few paces away now . It had just turned 1pm the place felt silent with the exception of the traffic travelling on the A591 below seemlessly drowned out by a couple of Blackbirds chirping in the nearby church yard.