Mar 2026 - (with Graeme) Ascent from Swirls. Discovered that Graeme was up in the Lakes so with the Glynny Boy acting as remote consultant, we decided on a meet up walk and it turned out to be a belter. Helvellyn was the choice for the day with sections drawn from Graeme’s affectionately-named ‘Nutter’s Book’ (real name Richard Gilbert) and his book ‘200 Challenging Walks in Britain and Ireland’ was written 36 years ago in 1990. The route began through Highpark Wood where we immediately spotted an unperturbed robin taking a bath in a puddle. The undulating path from there ran parallel to Thirlmere beneath the shadow of Helvellyn Screes, eventually reaching Wythburn. We passed a memorial to two brothers killed in a cycle crash in 2010. Lovely views across Thirlmere to Fisher Crag and ahead to Steel Fell. The ascent proper then began, up around Comb Crags to Birkside, and into the clag. We detoured slightly to take in Nethermost Pike before the final pull up to Helvellyn’s cross shelter, passing the stone that marks the plane that landed on the summit 100 years ago in 1926! It then cleared slightly, affording some views over Red Tarn to Catstycam. We went onto the summit trig, where we adorned the masks and took a photo, and where one of my gloves blew over the edge, leaving me with one warm hand and one freezing hand which shrivelled up like a 1980s television prankster’s… We crossed to Lower Man where it properly cleared. Gorgeous views in all directions, especially over Birkhouse Moor to Ullswater. We then descended to Browncove Crags and beyond where we had a snack, before striking off north-west over Helvellyn Gill towards Brown How. Eventually, we arrived down at the King’s Head Hotel, passing through Thirlspot Farm. Graeme bought me a pint and we video-called Glyn who reminded us to remain appropriate by immediately panning clockwise to show us that Emma was with him. The final kilometre was back along the road, praying that we wouldn’t be hit by a white ford transit van and both end up in a crumpled up boneheap on the hedgerows of the A591. Great day Graeme; it’s been too long.