From Holme Fell G/LD-051, I drove up to Ambleside and then up The Struggle to the Kirkstone Pass Inn. It was then a wonderfully scenic drive through the pass between Red Screes G/LD-017 and Stony Cove Pike G/LD-018. After driving through Patterdale and past the south-western end of Ullswater, we climbed onto the higher roads in the vicinity of the Mells. The usual parking spot for Little Mell Fell G/LD-037 was used, grid reference NY423235.

It was late afternoon on Sunday 18th May 2014, and Liam said he was really tired and wasn't sure he wanted to do a fourth hill. I kind of saw his point, as I felt the same way! However, I assured him that this was an easy hill that would only take his 15 minutes to climb.

Well in fact, it took us 18 minutes, but it was a pleasant climb, and the going is quite good with the well-established "footprint" steps in the ground. Liam enjoyed walking amongst the frollicking spring lambs. This time, 12m yielded a bumper 9 QSOs with 5 on CW and 4 on SSB. Just as the frequency went quiet, the midges came down, so it was time for a sharp exit. By the time I had packed the kit away, Liam was already long gone!

Analysing the map, I am not sure how this happened, but our driving route back toward the M6 took us through the village of Tirril. A blessing in disguise as it turned out, for we found the Queen's Head Inn, and it was serving food! Liam started with the bacon and black pudding salad, while I have the haggis and black pudding stack. For mains, I had the game pie while Liam had the chorizo and black pudding pie. The food was absolutely terrific, as was the Hartleys Cumbria ale I washed mine down with. There are news reports today of a serious black pudding shortage in the Penrith region however.

The journey home was consequently late and tiring, and good old Red Bull was used for its intended purpose. I had to conclude that it had been a magical summer's day in the Lakes, and an action packed and crammed SOTA weekend overall.