I arrived in Chorley by bus and caught the 8:23am Windermere train. All fare prices were up, the bus up to £1.60 single and the Chorley - Windermere saver return £18.90. I enjoyed the ride to Windermere where I sat in the waiting room for a while then moved to the foyer of Booths to wait for the 555 bus. There were more interesting notices to read there. The bus was late and I queried the price of the explorer ticket I bought as it had gone up to £9.00 which seemed a lot. The driver said all the fares had gone up. There are signs up saying the Thirlmere main road will be shut during some nights. As I passed I saw the reason. They are having to cut down all the trees between the road and reservoir. The only way to get the timber out is along the road. It was overcast and gloomy when I arrived in Keswick and because the bus was late I didn't have as long to wait for the 79 bus. I got on and presented my ticket, the driver scrutinised it and asked where I'd bought it, and when. He said I'd been overcharged as the explorer ticket was £8.50.

Catching the bus is Keswick.

A nice pitch on Seathwaite Fell

The bus left on time and I arrived at Seatoller just before midday. By the time I got there I was the only passenger on the bus. I couldn't figure out if rain was due so set off without waterproof leggings as they aren't very comfortable to walk in. I headed off along the road to Seathwaite where I was surprised to see lots of cars parked at the end of the lane. As I approached Stockley Bridge I saw a couple walking down. They were the last people I was to see today. The steep path up to Styhead Gill was a bit of a slog under full pack, it being heaviest on day one. When the path levelled a bit I took a direct line up towards the summit of Seathwaite Fell where I'd planned to camp. However, about half way up I came to a nice flattish shelf with a good clear stream nearby. It was too good to miss so I pitched the tent and just as I climbed inside the rain started.