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Another lovely day, another gentle fell climb and an enjoyable crowd to be with. 

Sadly however the walk was brought about by a death of a friend and colleague

with whom I worked for many years at the George Fishers outdoor shop in Keswick.

We met for a funeral ceremony on the 15th of this month, four days before covid rules relaxed.

Consequently it was a smaller gathering of family and friends who met at St Margaret's Church, Wythop today.

Afterwards we adjourned, not to a village hall or home, but to the open fell and the environment Peter loved.

Mia (left) and Paul (Peter's two grown up children) brought along the refreshments !

Hot Ribena (blackcurrant juice) and fell biscuits, Peter's favourite mountain essentials.

Peter was a keen fell walker and had completed two rounds of all the Wainwright Lakeland Fells.

He was also a keen skier, footballer, cricketer and all round sportsman during his life.

Dave wonders whether Mia's 'covid' arm will stretch far enough to offer him a cup ?

After chance to chat and reminisce, Mia had organised a walk up Sale Fell.

Peter was living at Wythop when I first got to know him, only moving to Braithwaite after his retirement.

Sale Fell was his 'local' dog walk at that time.

For those that know it, we took an anti-circular route around the fell, starting with the climb towards Ling fell to the west.

Dave, Carolyn and Jane chat as we climb up past the old fell gate.

Looking north west over Wythop (hidden) to Embleton and along the route of the A66 towards Cockermouth.

Dave plods a lonely path to the top . . . don't worry we're all just behind you !

The crowd assembles near the summit to admire the view and continue to to catch up on old times.

I step back to allow you to see the extensive view today.

Click here or on the photo above for a 360 degree annotated panorama.

Calling everyone to order . . . all those here are ex-George Fishers or married to someone who was, apart from Mia and her partner on the end.

Jane, Dave, Helena, Eileen, Carolyn, Dave, Stuart in red, Andy, Simon, Mary, Mia (with the flowers) and Tom.

Helena and Mary approach the gate to the Rivings.

We'll make it into a round walk by heading back via Lothwaite fell.

A stop for a chat near the top of Lothwaite.

The summit is always worth a visit in order to catch the classic view of Bassenthwaite Lake.

Re growth on the lower summit of Lothwaite, on the other side of the Routenbeck Forest wall.

Our path takes us parallel to the wall, back towards the summit of Sale Fell.

No second ascent of the summit for us today, as the path takes us down the valley seen ahead.

Below us are the houses of Routenbeck.

The straight road seen in the middle of the photo is the A66 as it passes the "Orient Express" and the rebuilt Bassenthwaite Railway Station

which re-opens next week as a cafe and major local tourist attraction !

Passing back through the old fell wall, towards the bench and the church where we started the walk.

An unusual fell walker we met along the way.

The walk concluded where we started, which meant the car was handy of course !

Like Ann's Farewell day, a lovely event but one tinged with sadness at the loss of a good friend.

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