Wainwrights Achieved- 1 (plus 2 others previously climbed) (Barf and Lord’s Seat – previously done) , Broom Fell – new

The omen has played out.

Maybe we should have stayed in the bedroom. It would be a bit like Cell Block H by now but at least Steve’s back would be in better shape.

His back and knee enjoyed a rest overnight and seemed ok this morning, so we set out on a walk that involved having to hike over 2 Wainwrights we had done before in order to get to 3 new ones. Unfortunately as we started our ascent up towards Barf, I could see things weren’t right.

S was lagging behind me and when two fellow Wainwright baggers strode ahead of us without Steve speeding up, I knew there was a problem.

Once we had reached Barf, I heard Steve mutter words I never expected to hear: “I’m not sure I can carry on.”

However, to go back down the way we came also seemed impossible. What to do?

Strap your knee up with tape of course. Luckily Steve carries the kitchen sink and a few extras with him, so naturally tape was in his backpack.

To get back to the car, we could see that just before Lord’s Seat was a track that took us down a gradual descent through Whinlatter Forest, still quite a walk, but much gentler. The hike to Lord’s Seat was steep but doable.

But Steve of course was mightily disappointed not to be able to get at least one fresh Wainwright and so after limping to the top of Lord’s Seat decided to soldier on to Broom Fell,a Wainwright not previously hiked. Once we got there, I thought he was going to carry on and I had visions of helicopter rescue being summoned but he made the right decision and we made our way back to join the path through Whinlatter.

To be honest, it was a lovely walk anyway, and I was quite tired from yesterday so very happy to take it easy. We distracted ourselves by discussing our top twenty walks, most of which we agreed on.

On arrival at the car, Steve removed the tape from his leg and gave himself a very nice knee wax. (Now you know how we women suffer.)

So now my goal of 20-23 Wainwrights seems out of reach. However, there are some we can drive close to and maybe Steve can hobble up and down a few of them. We shall see. The weather is predicted to be very wet tomorrow so an enforced rest will be on the cards anyway.

And now for a randomly chosen Wainwright quote of the day:

“All around us, or within easy reach,are Nature’s exquisite pageants in a countryside richly endowed with delights”.

Wise words indeed.