Spending a week in Cumbria back in May, all quite an intense experience - my much loved Mum had died a three weeks earlier.

As said in my previous reply I fell totally in love with Castlerigg even though first seen in the pouring rain. Later in the week we made the long drive down to south Cumbria to visit Swinside which I had read was on a par with Castlerigg as surrounded by (albeit less dramatic) fells. My friend, doing the driving, was a keen walker, whereas I just wanted to get to Swinside. Shared holidays are about accommodating each others interests so I readily agreed to the five mile walk my friend had planned - which in theory would take us across Swinside Fell to the circle.

We parked in a village on the road to Millom and set off. Friend was however using an old 1960s one inch map, a big mistake as it transpired; after crossing the A5093 (a fast road) we walked downhill towards the astonishing site of a reservoir being 'restored to nature' - workman and diggers moving tons of earth around. Before too long we were hopelessly lost and to make matters worse we had just picked our way through a bog only to find ourselves hemmed in by barbed wire fencing. My feet were wet but we had no alternative other than walk back through the bog retracing our steps. My friend was now hungry and wanted to abandon the whole project in favour of food but I was determined - "lets just try the turning for Broadgate" ... we did and found a clear signpost up a single track road to the circle.

Car parked and a walk of about a mile up the track across open fenland with just cattle for company. By now completely chilled due to soaking wet feet and a cold wind blowing - this visit stands out as my most uncomfortable but thoroughly worthwhile. Its a beautiful, perfect and remote stone circle - with a fairly strong possibility of having it to yourself. Just don't do it the hard way.