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As arranged well in advance, the weather was superb, the sun hot and the winds light.

The plan for the day was for a midday meeting on the summit, to hear for a few words and then to scatter Ann's remains at a place she loved.

There ended up being about 55 on the summit, so everyone started from their own location of choice and we all met on the top.

Many family and friends decided to walk all the way from the cottage, so set off through Lanthwaite Woods.

Apart from the camera person, Alexander and Matt are leading the group.

Cathy and Jack walked with Jonathon and Paul, plus Rob and Jude behind.

Crummock Water and the Loweswater Fells from the forest track.

The lakeshore is re-joined at the old boathouse.

Abi and Paula follow on towards High Wood, beyond the Lanthwaite trees.

Locals cooling their hooves in the heat.

Rannerdale ahead as Jonathon points out Grasmoor's high summit far above them.

The lakeshore path joins the road just before Cinderdale . . . where the group stop for a photo.

Crossing the Cinderdale Beck on the way to the bluebell fields.

Ahead is the steep climb to the summit of Rannerdale, but timings were good and there's no rush.

- - - o o o - - -

Meanwhile, I stayed a little longer at home and then drove the three miles to Rannerdale,

starting my walk from the car park near the Hause.

 

The view as we climb up from the car and we get our first view of Buttermere and the head of the valley.

Peter B. and Jack saw the photo opportunity, as I did . . .

Dylan rock hopping with Red Pike in the background.

Onward and upward, looking back at Rannerdale Farm and the view down the lake to Low Fell.

Zooming in on Loweswater, the Solway coast and the Scottish hill in the distance.

We were not first up, as we were being watched from above.

It's a hot climb and the dogs take the opportunity to cool down in the almost dry spring part way up.

- - - o o o - - -

Meanwhile Jude, Alexander, Hilton and Paula are still just above the hause, having walked all the way from home.

The view is of Mellbreak and distant Great Bourne, as the group pauses on their way up the wide path.

Nearing the summit . . .

. . . with just one more steep section to go.

Jenna and Matt summit out on the western rocky outcrop.

- - - o o o - - -

This picture includes my two brothers, Steve in the white hat and Peter . . . well you can guess which one he is !

In there too are Elaine, Karen (red hair), my niece Nicola and her partner Geoffrey.

We'll scatter Ann's ashes from the end rock in due course.

Karen's husband John checks out the view from the top as I chat to friend Jude, who has travelled up from Clitheroe in Lancashire.

The top is getting crowded as we are joined by more friends and here in blue, my ex-George Fishers colleague and boss, Helena.

Everyone is here in good time and we've have the opportunity to chat, remember and generally catch up with each other.

Karen here (with the red hair), as a member of the Hospice at Home Cumbria team, was a caring companion to Ann in her final months.

Paula has also re-applied her blue lock-down hairdo, partly in appreciation of the importance Karen played in Ann's care.

Andrew Leaney(and Anne) over from their new home in Appleby, Andy Beck and Esme from Teasdale . . . plus Jenna's partner Matt, over from Sheffield.

Nicola pays Dougal some attention.	Grandson Jack and Jude.	My neighbours, Jonathon, Barbara and Paul.

Final arrangements being discussed by the look of it ?

Sue (in pink) and Mike are over from Tyne and Wear and some will recognise the black beanie hat of Peter, the old Online Fellwalking Club founder.

I check the time . . .

Fellwalking friends, Frances and Andy (centre photo) have made it down from Scotland for today and for a few days holiday locally.

Maggie Allan (talking to Anne in white) has travelled the shorter distance from Penrith.

Jenna walks over to check the summit and the ridge to make sure everyone's here who wants to be here.

With John (and Judy) plus Nigel (and Sue) present, that means most people who contacted me are now here.

The end of the fell provides an natural amphitheatre for our gathering.

	- - - o o o - - -     I start the proceedings   referring back to Ann's December funeral   and the poem "The Dash"   and noting Ann's busy and full life   11.11.46  (dash)  07.12.20   - - - o o o - - -

. . . reading just a few words from the poem (details of which can be found via the end link).

My youngest daughter Jenna wanted to say a few words . . .

Her own farewell at this special time.

During the December funeral my four children spoke the words of the poem "When the Days Come"

Today four friends have offered to take their place and do the same.

Anne, Karen, Peter and Richard gave a lovely rendition.

A moments peaceful thought followed that gentle poem (was I getting emotional . . . surely not ?)

A big thanks to John Clarke (friend from Durham) who also spoke some very timely words.

I scattered Ann's Ashes just below the end of the fell.

She's joined the remains of our two previous dogs, Harry and Bethan and together they'll have a fine view of the fells.

She will also have a view of Loweswater, where she and I have enjoyed the last twenty years together.

- - - o o o - - -

Paula organised a final song, one that Ann always liked

and one that we sang so much at Black Sail Hostel, on Lakes Holidays before we moved to Cumbria.

Click on the photo for a short YouTube video, (right click to open in new window or tab) to hear the family and friends singing Ann's favourite Black Sail song, Wild Mountain Thyme.

Will Ye Go Lassie Go ? The Corries O the summer time has come And the trees are sweetly bloomin' The wild mountain thyme Grows around the bloomin' heather Will ye go, lassie, go? And we'll all go together To pull wild mountain thyme All around the bloomin' heather Will ye go, lassie, go? I will build my love a bower By yon cool crystal fountain And 'round it I will pile All the wild flowers o' the mountain Will ye go, lassie, go? And we'll all go together To pull wild mountain thyme All around the bloomin' heather Will ye go, lassie, go?

- - - o o o - - -   We are left with so many memories not only of today but of a life well spent.   Ann achieved her lifelong dream of a house in the Lakes, four children and two retriever dogs.   Hopefully I fitted in there somewhere along the way.   - - - o o o - - -   Anyone fancy a cup of tea and some cake ? See you back at the cottage when you are ready.   - - - o o o - - -

Thanks to everyone for making the effort to travel from close at hand or from far away.

My apologies if I didn't note everyone by name, your support has been no less welcome.