Tuesday 11/8:
There's a very useful little bus, service 208, at 0925 from Keswick to Patterdale which drops you near the Patterdale Hotel just a short walk up the road from the lane that leads up Grisedale. Not far up the lane is a gate which gives access to the open fellside and a path leading up the steep NE ridge of St Sunday Crag to a top known as Birks, 602m/2040ft; a name probably derived from Old Norse for birch tree. St Sunday Crag refers to St Dominic, but beyond that bare fact I know no more. The photo above was taken from the slopes of Birks above Patterdale, looking over Ullswater as we made a brief stop to admire the view. At the same time Jonathan took the next picture of the group; Cliff, on Bev's right,appears to be saying something amusing to Pete though Sarah seems aghast; Bella's not so sure what it's all about. The unconcerned couple by the stile are mere bystanders to these events; Heather was with us too, I think you can just see her hidden behind Bev.
Jonathan's next image captures the essence of the smooth grassy top of Birks which proved a windy spot for elevenses. Beyond Birks lies a shallow boggy col which leads to more rugged terrain and a steep ascent onto the high rocky summit plateau of St Sunday Crag 842m/2756. It was still sunny on the top though the wind was increasing and I knew that the weather might deteriorate as forecast, which it did before we reached Fairfield.
Down we went to the col between St Sunday Crag and Fairfield, in the distance is Grisdale Tarn and Seat Sandal beyond; high above us the summit rocks of Cofa Pike reared dramatically out of the swirling mist. By the time we reached the top of Fairfield it was misty, windy and wet; we stayed only long enough to take a bearing then made our way down the rough ridge to Grisedale Tarn. After a short breather there we took the path down Raise Gill to Dunmail Raise and caught the bus back to Keswick.
Jonathan's last image is a view north towards Helvellyn and is a testimony to the honesty of the fell walkers out that day, as shortly after taking this picture Jonathan and his Mum's new camera parted company. When, to his dismay, he realised his loss we were on Cofa Pike and despite Jonathan going back over to St Sunday Crag it was nowhere to be found. I had an email from him today and happily he and Mum's camera have been reunited, as it was handed in at Keswick Police Station. So thanks to an honest fellow walker a good day on the hill was had by all, including Jonathan!
