Susan and I arrived early at Chorley Station and went to the papershop to get water. A couple of magazines caught Susan's eye which she knew would amuse Paul, so they were duly bought. We went back to the station and waited for the train. When it arrived, surprisingly there were no seats available. At Preston Station the train emptied by a good few hundred, and we managed to get a table seat. Paul joined us here. Within the hour we were alighting at Staveley.

The warm weather was going to make this walk a little harder than we had expected, so naturally Paul suggested we went to Wilf's Cafe for a tea and a bite to eat. We had only walked 200yards!! Very kindly Paul bought us all a light breakfast and a cup of tea. 40 minutes later we set off. This walk turned out to be one of the best walks we have ever done. Not because there was great excitement, not because it was high, not because it was nice weather; but it was because beauty abounded, new born lambs were every where, and it was so peaceful and the weather was gorgeous. It was an idyllic day. Shortly after leaving Staveley we got our first sighting of Brunt Knott and it gives a fine sight. It's meagre height of 1400 feet is not noticed, instead it gives the impression of a high fell with a long arete to the west. Our next target was Brunt Knott Farm, where self catering cottages are available. We met the owners and they were very pleasant, explaining that there were 4 cottages available. Susan liked it - I have no doubt she will stay there sometime this year!! (Ed - she did) From here it was the start of the hard pull to the summit. Well it wouldn't be a hard pull usually but the heat made it so. Eventually the summit was reached. This fell is superb. We had met no one, it it so peaceful we spent a good 40 minutes at the top stretched out in the sunshine, having our lunch and chatting. I could have stayed all day!! Eventually we made our leave, heading in a NW direction and then taking the track down to Ghyll Bank. From there it was through the delightful Elfhowe, and then the walk back to the Beer Hall. All along this section I was picturing a pint glass with condensation trickling down it's side. Soon we reached the Beer Hall, where we had various pints of the ales brewed by the Hawkshead Brewery. Eventually we left and headed for our tea at the Eagle. Although the food was Ok the menu is really unimaginative, and overpriced.. BUT - as I said it was well cooked and well presented. By the time we had eaten we could either dash for the last train or take a stroll to Burneside and catch the train there. We chose the latter, and arrived with time to kill, just.

A lovely, lovely idyllic day. I will remember it forever.