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The weather forecast for today was pretty dreadful (though it turned out to be not nearly as bad as claimed), and anyway we needed to go shopping for new boots (and various other items of equipment that had proved sub-optimal over the past few days) before we could do any walking. So by the time we were ready to hit the fells it was already well past lunchtime.
We had been eyeing up Fellbarrow as a potential "wet weather filler" for a while - it needed ticking off and was not too far away.
Parking is limited in Thackthwaite but we were able to squeeze in, Then a short walk to the village and a nice path that sets off under trees but quickly emerges at the side of a field.
Setting off through the fieldsVery easy gradients and soft underfoot, just what tired limbs and new boots wanted. And the views into Buttermere were an
added bonus.
Panorama viewIt looked as though the weather was a lot better than predicted even over where we had been walking the past few days (in clouds!).
Great Gable clear of cloudThe summit was soon in sight.
FellbarrowAnd easily reached. Views all around from Scotland to Morecambe Bay.
View from summitView from summitSummit post and viewWe crossed the fence before descending - there's a stile right at the summit. And surveyed the options for a path down that wouldn't go through quite as much wet bracken as the path we had used to ascend.
Lots of paths downLooking back at the summitWalking down with the views ahead was very pleasant - and again the easy gradients and soft ground underfoot were most welcome.
View up Buttermere valleyView up Buttermere valleyA great way to spend a couple of hours between showers on a wet afternoon.