The following day we walked up on the other side of the valley, starting with the long climb up to the sublime Stickle Tarn.  Ah, we were then confronted with that big lump of rock Pavey Ark with the challenge of Jack's Rake scramble.  Once you're on it, there's no turning back.  Undaunted, everyone climbed on up, holding on tight we all made it safely.  Great achievement!  The rain came in as we walked along to Harrison Stickle but the clouds lifted and floated in and out the valley in time for us to soar above the clouds as we walked up and over Langdale Pikes.  Invigorating, re-energising and wonderful to be out in the hills.  That was nearly 12 miles and lots of ascent so we had a much shorter gentle walk to finish the following day: from Grasmere we did a circular to Easdale Tarn, serene and beautiful even beneath the dull, grey clouds.  A long, long drive home, but worth it.

Fiona Scully