We were meeting up with Roger and Ann Hiley and Andrew Leaney for a walk to Grisedale Pike on our second walk of our winter break. Roger rang the night before to warn that the weather forecast was not good, but we agreed to meet at Braithwaite and see how things were the next morning. The signs were not good overnight, when we could hear the wind howling and the rain lashing down relentlessly outside from 1am until about 6.30am. By the time we had breakfast, however, it seemed to have calmed down. The weather was also much milder, with most of the snow having disappeared overnight.

When we arrived in the car park outside Braithwaite, Andrew was already there, and the rain had stopped. I optimistically suggested that the weather seemed to be improving. Shortly afterwards, Roger and Ann arrived with the dogs, Holly and Layla, and about the same time the heavens opened again (well, I never was a good weather forecaster!!!), so everyone dashed for their waterproofs.

We only get a few chances every year to walk in the Lake District, so we put up with just about any conditions for our walks, but we felt quite guilty about dragging the three locals out in this weather when I am sure they would never have chosen to walk on a day like this if had not been for us. They were very nice about it though, and even the dogs did not growl at us.

In the car park the wind was not too strong, and there was only one way of finding out what the conditions were like higher up, so we ditched the alternative idea of a lakeside walk and pressed ahead up the steps to the path that leads straight to the graceful eastern slope of Grisedale Pike to its summit.

There was no chance of any views today, as the cloud was about as low as I have ever seen it, but at least there is no chance of getting lost on the way, as the path is so clearly defined that it can be seen for miles running straight up the narrow slope.

The first part is quite steep, but the path is very good and there is no difficulty in it. However, the low cloud denied me my usual excuse for stopping for breath, so Roger and Andrew suggested that instead of saying I was stopping to admire the view, I should say I am stopping to visualise where the view should be. I shall remember this!!!

Holly and Layla stopped briefly to look before overtaking me, no doubt wondering why I could not keep up with them, as I have four legs too (well, at least two legs and two walking poles).

After climbing a gate to get into the plantation, we had a pleasant and leisurely walk through the forest. Unfortunately, the rain was still lashing down, making us reluctant to subject our respective cameras to the elements, hence no photos.

The subject of conversation turned to GPS. Ours was tucked away nicely in the rucksack as I knew where I was (I seem to remember using similar logic on the Dodds once, but today we were with local experts who knew the area well), but Roger had brought a Magellan GPS from George Fisher's for testing and he was not afraid to use it. At a point where a path led off down to what looked like Woodlands his GPS provided us with proof that this was indeed the grid reference that we thought we were at, so he can now confidently vouch for its accuracy in the shop.

We were soon back at the car park and the end of a much shorter walk than we had hoped for.

Roger and Ann invited us back for a drink, so we followed them over Whinlatter Pass, where no mountains were now visible at all, to Oak Cottage.

It was a great shame the visibility was so poor, because the views would quite obviously have been absolutely stunning from their lovely cottage on a good day. Instead we watched a video Roger had produced of their walk to their 214th Wainwright (Skiddaw Little Man). It was amazingly well done, with narrative and music fading in and out, and having been there, albeit on a much worse day, it was lovely to see. I am hoping David might be inspired into doing something with the video footage he has taken, but so far there is not much sign of it, so don't expect streaming video on this website quite yet.

The coffee was very welcome after being exposed to the elements, as was the ginger cake. In particular, it made a nice change for us to get a chance to sit down and talk to others with an equal enthusiasm for the mountains, and a much greater knowledge, as nobody else we know share our passion for the Lake District.

Time soon passed, and we decided to go for a short walk to stretch our legs by Crummock Water, where Roger and Ann normally walk the dogs before parting company. Holly and Layla did not look at all impressed at the suggestion of being dragged back out in those conditions, but reluctantly came along eventually.

The weather by the lake was better than earlier, but the rain was still intermittent.