Satisfied with completing the Trail magazine 3-day circular, with six SOTA activations along the way, we were now enjoying the relative comfort and relaxation of the car. As soon as Jimmy announced that his mobile had detected network coverage, I pulled in and started 'phoning around the Youth Hostels. The only feasible one with availability was Buttermere, so I booked in there for the evening of 24th July 2008.

   

Next, it was a drive up into Penrith in the quest for chips! In the town centre, we enjoyed two large helpings of steak & ale pie with chips and gravy, in the warm early evening sunshine.  I now aimed the car at Pooley Bridge, and then Howtown to follow the long cul-de-sac winding its way up the back of Hallin Fell. A large parking area was available right by the start of the main route upwards, which was a steep wide grassy path.  However, the effort was soon rewarded. It may have been steep, but it was also short, and we were rounding off onto the summit in little more than 15 minutes. The views over Ullswater were lovely, but we needed to bed down in a less-favourable vantage point in order to get out of the strong wind.

   

I set up the 80m dipole antenna, and attempted to make a CQ call. Problem - my paddle was refusing to do dots! A bit of frantic fiddling eventually got this problem resolved, but my first CQ call after that was awful. Richard G3CWI answered it, but I ignored him, determined to a least send a proper short CQ call before answering anyone! I mucked it up again. Richard answered again. I ignored him again. I sent CQ again, and this time got it right. Richard replied again, and this time I worked him!

   

I went on to make seven QSOs on 80m CW, following which Jimmy had a go on 80m SSB. He was getting no joy, so resorted to his VX-110, which brought in John G0TDM and Geoff G4WHA straight away. Jimmy did then manage a contact with Barry 2E0PXW on 80m SSB, before a fourth contact was achieved back on 2m FM.  The steep descent down the bank to the car park was made a little unnerving by the sight of a gang of teenage boy-racers who had driven six Ford Fiestas up here. A couple of them shouted abuse at me as I completed my descent, and swiftly got into my car. As we pulled away, they were seeing if they could reverse their cars up the steep grassy bank, which made me wonder who the cars belonged to!

We now had to return a few miles East to pick up the A66, on which we would be heading West! It was a longish drive to Buttermere YH, but we got there just after 9.30pm. I got a couple of bottles of Jennings Cocker Hoop from reception. Jimmy went to bed, and I relaxed with the beer in the lounge.  Tomorrow would be the big one - Scafell Pike G/LD-001.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 5 watts as follows: