I was packed up and on my way by 7am. The night had been variable but mostly cloudy, but little wind. It was just coming light as I set off and the cloud was reducing. I headed up towards the summit of Helvellyn hoping for a view over the other side before leaving the mountain. The cloud was coming and going so I didn’t get much of a view. I headed down the main path to Wythburn where I would catch my bus. I took the right path at the Nethermost Pike branch and hadn’t descended far before meeting a walker coming up. It was still only about 7:20am so he must have left shortly after 6am. The descent was uneventful except for the nice view of the mist below and some views above it.

Morning view from Helvellyn.

Scourge of Cumbria,
the dreaded overpriced parking meter.

I made good time on the descent and reached the car park just before 8:30am. I was horrified to see a pay and display meter had been fitted since my last visit. Above 4hrs parking will now cost a hefty £5. This means that all mountain walkers will be caught in the maximum charge bracket. For an un-manned remote car park the charges are scandalous. I’ve mentioned in previous pages that £2 or £2.50 for the day is reasonable but anything more isn’t. It just encourages people, me included, to leave their cars by the road. I had a look inside the small church then returned to the car park where a United Utilities employee was emptying the parking meter. I told him I thought it was unreasonable and he was unsympathetic, saying the footpaths have to be paid for somehow. He then drove off in his shiny Land rover and uniform, presumably part paid for by parking charges. I waited at the bus stop for the 555 bus which arrived a bit late but just got me to the railway station with about 2 minutes to spare. Phew..