Fleetwith Pike, Buttermere, Cumbria, England

It had taken me more than a decade to do so but I finally got to revisiting Buttermere at the start of July in 2014 and was rewarded with a glorious day too. That helped for photographic opportunities that were used to improve on my efforts when I last was there on a walk that took me all the way back to Keswick where I was staying that Saturday night. To really make sure of making the most of what was on offer, I even spent Saturday night at the valley's YHA hostel and was rewarded with an ambience where only noise came from Sour Milk Gill as it cascaded down a hillside, a glorious experience on a long summer evening. The weather was less friendly the following day though Sunday morning was glorious until rain showers kicked off on us.

The above photo captures the scene after I had walked to the top of Haystacks and was returning to my night's lodgings. Looking across Buttermere, Fleetwith Pike is the main fell in the middle with the way up to Honister Pass to its left. Shadows cover the slopes leading towards the craggy Haystacks to whose top I had scrambled earlier in the day. It replaced a possible trot over Seat, High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike that had appealed to me before I left for Buttermere. Given how long the walk over Haystacks took me, I nearly was glad that I stuck with reaching the top of just one fell. Sometimes, you can be too greedy, and the others will be there for any future visits anyway.