The run of good weather had to come to an end timing it perfectly for the Bank Holiday weekend but lets be honest, we needed the rain. I think the forecast actually suited todays walk perfectly which was one of the reason I went ahead with it, wind and rain on the higher fells is no where near as appealing as it is on the lonely Shap Fells, does that make sense? These fells are probably the last untouched hills of Lakeland, they aren't called the outliers for nothing no bugger, unless the determined or those seeking isolation walk here, if your fond of the latter, these hills are perfect for walking in isolation and despite today being a Bank Holiday Sunday, I saw no one all walk, incredible isn't it.

I left home a little later than I usually would to allow the worst of the showers to pass but it was still chucking it down when I arrived at 09:40am and I waited over half an hour for the rain to stop and skies to clear revealing breaks of blue. Whilst waiting I'd slipped on my over trousers in the car and laced up my boots and by the time the rain stopped I was almost ready to go. I couldn't believe how clear and sunny last weekends walk had been compared to now when I saw myself adding a pair of finger-less mitts to keep the wind out topped up with my baseball cap to keep the wind and rain out of my face and waterproof jacket, within minutes of the rain stopping the sun poked through and I was good to go.

The sun continued to shine as I began my descent flanked by Hazel Bank over to my right. I was heading towards the ruined farm buildings of Wasdale Farm bordered by stone walling and oak trees which would pre-date the old farm. It was warm now and before I reached the track I would delayer and remove my mitts, the showers were a distant memory. I could now hear traffic travelling along the A6 on the other side of the valley but the valley kept its quietude. I reached the track after passing through the ruined buildings engrossed in the old wooden roof beams and the long metal studs that used to hold them in place. The ruins of Wasdale Head Farm deserved more time than I could give but I could sense more rain was on its way. I joined the track proper traipesing through puddles that straddled the track width to width. Suddenly the skies grew darker and without warning it began to chuck it down. I'd de-layered but had thankfully kept my waterproof jacket under the lid of my pack. Whilst re-shouldering I caught a glimpse of four or five deer disappearing from view on Hazel Bank, even in the downpour it was enough to stir the butterflies in my stomach. The track climbed as I watched my tanned hands turn white through cold. Surely the rain would stop, but it didn't.

I left the track and crossed Wasdale Beck which was split into two, the first section was easily crossed by a stone bank and stepping stones but the second was wide and I had to take a run up. Ten miles in and I joined the track and passed the shooting tower, my breathing laboured as the track began to climb again and that's when I saw them, those four deer were in fact part a herd just fifty metres up track. The herd had appeared from the woodland on my right, scaled a deer fence like it wasn't there before trotting into woodland to my left, they were closer to the A6 but the trees provided the cover they so eagerly sought. I passed the woodland, not a stir, but they were there, just yards away. The track levelled and I caught sight of the Repeater Station; continuing further I spotted my car which wasn't difficult to miss as it was the only one parked in the lay-by. The track descended onto the same track I started on just over four hours earlier. The rain had eased and I collapsed my poles as I arrived on the A6 with my car just yards away the heavens opened again and I ended up throwing my wet gear into the boot and drove home in wet boots, what a day though.