The wind was calm last night but as morning approached it increased along with the rain. As I drank my first brew of the day I listened to the rain battering the side of the tent. Outside it was dark and thick mist so I delayed my start so as not to have to pack the tent up in the rain.

A tidy pitch on Yarlside

Yarlside from Bowderdale.

The delay worked and as daylight came the rain eased and I was able to pack up in the dry. The pitch I'd chosen turned out to be quite sheltered because as soon as I set off at 8:25am I hit the full force of the wind on the final ridge to the summit of Yarlside. The cloud was just above the summit as I passed over and I was able to take a wind velocity reading of 31 knots. So it’s as well I didn't pitch on the summit as planned. Ahead of me I could see the miles of Bowderdale I had to walk through. There was a faint track part way down from the summit but it petered out about half way down; it was easy walking but slippery in places.

At the bottom it was a bit tricky crossing the river as it was considerably higher than the last time I was here. The path along the left side of the dale was extremely wet due to the overnight rain. Most of it was just a small river acting as an intercept for the water running off the fell. When I reached the wall crossing the valley I left the path and headed just west of north across an area of boggy reeds. I was heading for Flakebridge but the going was quite difficult through the bog. I approached the next wall and headed for a gate in the fence.

Wet walk through Bowderdale.

Flakebridge farm.

It was wired shut so I stepped over the fence and followed a very muddy track down to the farm at Flakebridge. There is no public path here and as I approached I saw the farmer on the farmyard. I walked up with a smile and a comment about the wet weather. He was OK about things and didn’t mind me using his yard and track to reach the main A685 road just to the north.

I was heading for Orton and there was nothing for it but to follow the road west for a few miles. With no footpath it was rough walking on the verge and the spray from passing motorists didn't help. I was glad to reach Gaisgil and the branch B6261 road. At least now I could walk with only the occasional vehicle passing by.

Rest by the River Lune bridge

Inscription on the seat where my pack is resting.

Wet approach to Orton

Three more uneventful miles of road walking took me to the village of Orton. I walked through the village to continue along the B6261. I stopped briefly by the village store and contemplated buying a bun or bar of chocolate, but as my money was buried deep in my rucksack I couldn't be bothered and continued on my way. The rain continued to come and go but the wind remained. Eventually I came to the line of the Roman Road which crosses at Howe Nook. I left the road here and headed north to follow the Roman Road.

It was heavily rutted with previous vehicles and bikes. Over the rise I left it and headed for Black Dub and the monument. I arrived at the rising to see it considerably larger than the last time I was here. I was hoping to camp here but with no phone signal I had to move a little higher up the fell. The rain started again and the wind seemed to get stronger. I saw a party of noisy trials bikers riding along the Roman Road. This really isn't a place for motorbikes to rip the countryside apart for entertainment. It took some time to get my tent up in the wind and lashing rain.