After so many days of cold clear weather I chose the first rainy spell to go backpacking. It was dark and drizzly as I set off for the 6:38am bus, which arrived late. I was now using my senior bus pass which got me to Chorley for half fare, 80p instead of £1.60. I still had plenty of time though as my train wasn't till 7:15am. The train arrived bang on time. The train was cosy but it was gloomy and wet outside. Just on 8:30am we arrived at Ulverston railway station but as I have over an hour to wait for the bus I sat in the ticket/waiting area to kill some time. The floor had just been mopped and both doors were propped open letting an arctic blast run through.

The train ride to Ulverston.

Having a coffee while waiting for the bus in Ulverston.

I asked the man at the ticket counter if it was OK to close them, it was. Sitting quietly and reading my book the moron sitting next to me began playing with his mobile phone. Every key press made a different noise and he seemed mesmerised by his fumblings. It's sad when an apparent adult is reduced this sort of entertainment to kill time. It's his choice of course but it shouldn't impinge on others who want some peace and quiet. After half an hour of waiting in the station I decided to set off for the X12 bus to Coniston. I walked to the Victoria Road area where the busses pick up. It wasn't a bus station as such, just a collection of bus stops along the road. There was a refreshment cabin though where I was able to buy a mug of coffee for 60p. I was chatting to one bus driver who was having a smoke by his bus when my 09:50 bus arrived.

My Chorley bus pass wasn't valid out here so I had to pay the full one way price to Coniston. There was one other person on the bus and she soon got off. For the rest of the trip nobody else got on. I arrived just before 10:30 to an overcast sky and the feeling of rain in the air. I headed north out of the village then up the steep indistinct path up onto Furness Fells. It was a very short stage and I was heading for a pitch I'd used a few times before. I was concerned about the large amount of surface water coming off the fell as there hadn't been much rain. I can only assume it is because the temperature has recently warmed up from the recent frosty clear weather and the thaw has resulted in the run off. The tent was up by mid day and it was a bit of a struggle pitching it in the very blustery wind. It rained on and off during the afternoon so there wasn't the incentive to go out.

A windy pitch above Coniston.