The final leg. Accompanied by friends: Richard, Carolyn (Treasurer of FMH), Andy and Chris; and family members: George, Kit, Beth, Tilly, Nina and Rufus, and four legged friend Bobby. The weather was not as good as promised and the sunrise definitely not what was hoped for. Still, it was a very special occasion, in a very special place.

A clear, but chilly (8ºC) morning. Lots of Tawny Owl activity. Tried recording one close by and ended up with a good view of him (too dark to photo) before he flew off. Quite busy on top, with various people awaiting the sunrise, delayed by low cloud in the distance. Saw a deer again on the way down towards Blue Lake. Only one left go! How did it all happen so quickly?

A rather grey day with no prospect of seeing the sunrise. Still, it was relatively warm, with a comfortable wind from the south. One man just leaving as I arrived, four others having already been up. Had the top to myself for a change. Plenty of audible owl activity on the way up through the woods. On the track going down past Blue Lake had an encounter with a couple of deer - one of whom having shot off silently at great speed on seeing me creeping up on him, then made a lot of noise barking - presumably for his mate, who had gone off in the opposite direction.

Tracker app. failed to start properly again; back to my old boots as the new ones, bought 6 months ago to the day have started to fall apart; a dull, overcast and misty day - but as the lady I spoke to briefly in passing on the way down said - "It's still a lovely day", and she was right. Anyone taking a walk up Roseberry Topping - and there were quite a few of them - is luck, and having a day not to be scoffed at.

A chilly start and quite dark still, so quite glad I was by now familiar with the route! Four lads, who had walked up from Little Ayton, were already at the top, a bit ahead of schedule to see the sun rise, as I was. After a brief chat, I left them to wait, while I made my way over to Hanging Stone to catch it from there. On the way I got a very brief glimpse of the Barn Owl, but because I got my camera out ready to photograph of it when it reappeared, it kept carefully out of site - typical!. At HS having taken numerous pictures of the glorious sunrise, I had another uneventful return, with only five squirrels and one rabbit for company.

Thirty weeks to the day since I started this challenge, with just the five climbs left to do! An uneventful walk, with no deer to track down and no injured or obstructive cows to contend with. Just a glorious morning with a temperature of 17º, so shorts and a T-shirt were in order. Had the top to myself very briefly, before being joined by five others and a couple of dogs. The steps down from Hanging Stone were, as expected, very slippery, but negotiated with extreme care and no falls.

A misty, dark start and by the time I arrived at the moor gate it was light, but with visibility at about 100 yards, neither Little Roseberry to the left or Roseberry Topping to the right were to be seen. After not too far RT loomed into sight and by half-way up it was evident that the top was clear. Looking back LR was shedding its covering. Two young ladies were awaiting the sunrise. A third person soon arrived on a similar mission. Anticipating a good view of RT from LR I made way down and on going up saw a deer posed nicely between two trees, which vanished just as I had it framed. As on a previous occasion I managed to track it down again, but not with any good result. At the gate at the bottom of the Blue Lake track my way was barred by a very solid, horned cow. Gentle persuasion to get her to move failed, so gingerly climbing the fence was the only solution.

Still dark at the start with the waning Blue Moon clearly visible overhead - and Venus too. The thermometer was showing only 13ºC, but, with little wind, I risked shorts and didn't regret it - the ground still warm from yesterday's sun. Little of the forecast mist in evidence. One man at the top when I arrived, and two young ladies arrived soon after, with another two on their way up. As I was a bit early to actually see the sun, I headed off to Hanging Stone and got the full glory of it as I reached Newton Moor.

Fully recovered after a week away with some of the family in the East Riding. This included a walk out to Spurn Point, with a climb up the old lighthouse, not so high as RT, but the same distance walked, a lot of it on sand. Now back to getting this challenge wrapped up - hopefully on 22nd September. My first time going up on a Sunday, so slightly surprised that there were 12 or more people already there, plus a handful of dogs. Some were there to celebrate a 30th birthday - what better way? The rest just enjoying a late bit of summer, I guess. Wild life was in short supply, though I did spot a Tawny Owl roosting in the woods, which I failed to capture on camera, unfortunately, but not for want of trying.

Not as sunny as promised, but dry and warm, so no complaints. Spotted from afar someone standing on the trig point, but long gone by the time I reached the top. Met a runner on the way down, so it might have been him. A couple of young ladies, with dogs, at the top, but other than that not much to see out of the ordinary.

A clear morning, but chilly at only 13ºC. A number of people visible on the top as I approached, but all gone by the time I reached the summit. Wildlife again in short supply: 1 hare, 2 rabbits and 2 squirrels. The tawny owl was out, calling again, but not close enough or consistent enough to record.

Seems a long time since the last walk, but there again, I have been to two cricket matches in between (Grandparenting duties), which could explain it. A rather dull day, but not raining and not windy, so mustn't complain. The piles of logs awaiting shipping out seem bigger than ever, but quite a lot of trees left standing, so not a total wilderness. Didn't see much wildlife around, but did stop to record a Tawny Owl close at hand, but unfortunately out of sight.

A chilly (9ºC.), slightly later start, but with a glorious low red sun. The path via the steps at Bousdale Head now re-opened, but a number of hardwood trees - seem to be mostly ash have been taken out before that. Roseberry Topping to myself, for a change, with one runner, plus three dogs, on his way up as I came down. No other signs of animal life - not even a rabbit.

After a hiatus caused by dodgy knees and flaky hip (and some very wet, unseasonable weather), it was good to be out again. A good flurry of rabbits and hares, but no deer. More trees gone, and now wondering if they will start on the east side of the track... It will make it a very different walk in the woods if they do.

Later start on a fairly miserable damp morning, but made hugely better by being accompanied by son George and granddaughter Nina, and their dog, Bobby. With plenty of stumps of newly felled trees to examine, they spent time checking the theory that you can tell where north is from the tightness of the growth rings. When we eventually got to the top there was not a huge amount to see, and certainly no sun. Fortunately, the rained stayed off until we were nearly home, so we didn't get too drenched.

Delayed from yesterday to get the better weather and not disappointed. Also an earlier start which helped. On the way had a close encounter with a Tawny Owl (?), but difficult to be sure in the pre-dawn light. Later heard the call of a female tawny owl, and later of the male - hopefully they met up! Three young ladies already at the top when I arrived, which was in plenty time to see the sun rise above the low cloud on the horizon. On my way across to Little Roseberry I spotted a deer posing on the skyline near the top. As I approached it disappeared from sight, so I made my way to the top to see if I could see it, and wasn't disappointed. It caught wind of me and bounded off down the hill, to be joined a few moments later by its mate, as they made their way down to the main path.

As one might have expected - more trees gone. Another dull, overcast day. Nothing about, just one person on the way day down as I made my way up. Since Monday's walk should be a 'milestone' I'll have to think of something to give it a bit more of a lift. Checking the map: If I'd started at Land's End I would have reached Maltby, near Sheffield. If from John O'Groats I'd now be at Elisnaw, near Otterburn.

The reason for forest track 'improvements' now clearly evident: Open spaces once tree covered, paths closed and obstructed by logged trees, new vistas opened up as harvesting has begun - my walk will never be the same again. Roseberry enveloped in low cloud - so not the most cheering of walks - but at least we're not suffering blistering heat, with forest fires raging. Life could be one hell of a lot worse. I again failed to start my tracking app. properly, so times based on the Summit time from photo information. Now past the 3 Matterhorn mark!

Not such a bright morning, but at least it wasn't raining. Met two lads from Stockton out for a little bit of early morning birdwatching. The usual sprinkling of hares and rabbits, but still no deer. Included popping up to the top of Little Roseberry for a change, since I was so close. Other than that, an uneventful, very peaceful early morning stroll.

Top to myself, again! It must be something about these late starts. Drier underfoot today, so, fortunately no mishaps, and although not perfect, my knee didn't give me too much trouble. Not a lot of wildlife about today. Slightly concerned, when approaching RT I saw a partial rainbow ahead, but nothing came of it. I accidently saved today's walk on my phone as being the 66th - a bit of wishful thinking - but that's the nature of challenges, I guess!

Lovely sunny morning, but a bit wetter (and slipperier) underfoot than I was expecting. Had the top to myself - the first time for ages. Returning via Hanging Stone I had a good view of the Barn Owl above Little Roseberry. Descending from HS I managed to slip on the very slippery steps, in spite of taking a lot of care. Miraculously I fell backwards onto soft soil next to the steps, rather than onto hard stone, so, relatively unscathed I was able to continue, even more cautiously. Re photo: I don't think I've quite mastered the art of the 'selfie' yet...

Knee feeling a bit better, but kept to the shorter route (under Hanging Stone, rather than via it) to be on the safe side. A family of five on the top when I got there, and a young man arrived just after me. It was very windy up there, but from the south, so not too chilly. A few rabbits hares and squirrels, but nothing else of interest, that I recognised, that is. Failed to start my tracking app properly, so stats are based on previous walks.

Briefly spoke to a young couple near the top, busy cooking their bacon on a gas stove, who kindly offered a cup of coffee - politely decline. No deer or hares to be seen, only a brief glimpse of a rabbit and a squirrel, and no owl although a brief 'twit', the female half of the well-know twit-twoo callings of the tawny owl - from somewhere in the woods. My left knee became extremely painful when approaching The Avenue, on my return, so further walks may have to be postponed for a while.

Rabbit and hares galore. Two barn owls: the first approaching RT, was coming closer and closer - camera at the ready - but then turned away. The second surprised me on Hutton Village Road and flew off before I could get my camera out. Just one guy from Northallerton on the top, come to see some proper scenery. Got a glimpse of something crossing the path up above Little Roseberry - I thought it was a sheep at first, but they're not that adapt at disappearing into thin area, so I'm not sure what it was.

Delayed from Monday, after a busy weekend. Met members of the York University Mountaineering Club at the top, trying out a bit of abseiling, and wishing they'd remembered the tea bags! Other wild life included numerous hares and three squirrels in tandem making use of the 'Squirrel Superhighway' - as we like to call it - the overhead power lines near Hutton Hall, while three more skittered around underneath.

50th ascent! Put off playing my (borrowed Pocket) trumpet until Hanging Stone as my nerves failed me in playing to another solo male on the top. Playing on a rocky outcrop after an hours early morning walk, having climbed nearly a thousand feet, is very different from playing in ones own back bedroom. Still, after a while I don't think it sounded too bad. Knowing what to expect it may yet happen on RT. The extra climb and distance was down to some recalcitrant sheep who wouldn't be ushered back to where they should be. It seems someone had left a gate open.

The Summer Solstice: Thirteen people, some with dogs, to see the sunrise and a further ten at least, that I could see, cutting it a bit fine. At least we were not disappointed, as it was another beautiful morning. Sunrise spectators included the volunteer NT litter collecting lady, with husband. They were planning to be back tonight to see the sunset as well. Wild life to see was in short supply, with just a couple of hares making themselves visible, curlews audible but not visible in the half-light, and a Kestrel hovering, but too far away to show up on my photo.

Not a soul in sight, except for someone on the top of Little Roseberry. A real treat seeing the Barn Owl, quite close as I climbed the last bit (see photo gallery below). Other than that one rabbit and one hare, but a glorious morning nonetheless. A bit cooler and windier on top than I was expecting, so glad I had my windproof with me.

Lightly overcast but still, and warm'ish. Only one young lady and her dog already at the top, and the only person out walking that I saw. No deer today, so I can no longer claim to have seen seen deer more often than not. By way of compensation I did see a badger, and a barn owl taking a last scout around the margins of the field nearest to Roseberry, plus the usual collection of rabbits hares and squirrels. As I failed to start my tracking app properly, figures as assumed to be as Walk 46.

Intent on actually seeing the sun rise I made the
earliest start yet. Four young ladies arrived there at the same time, obviously with the same intention. Again, very little other four legged wildlife around, just the usual rabbits and squirrels. However, I did stop to chat to a very contented cow using a low branch to have a really good back scratch (see picture on phot gallery below.)

A glorious sunny morning again, at last! Met a group of Middlesbrough lads and lasses, who were all very friendly, then completely took me by surprise when they formed a circle and began reciting the Choristers' Prayer. As requested I took a group photo of them before they departed. I didn't spot any other wildlife of interest except a few hares, and three squirrels back in the Avenue. This walk was postponed from Monday, following a fall on Friday (nothing to do with the walk that day). I needed an extra day for my knee to settle.

I'm looking forward to getting back to some sunny early mornings and seeing something of the sunrise... No one else about this morning and the fauna was in short supply - a few rabbits and hares and that was it.

My internal alarm clock failed to go off, so a late start. It meant I was after the sunrise lovers and fitness freaks (sorry, 'Fell Runners') and before the day-trippers. Saw for my own eyes the pristine state of the newly painted Trig Point - long may it stay that way! No deer or hares, but a weasel and squirrel both crossed my path quite close-to. The squirrel was making so much noise in the bushes before it emerged into view I was sure it must be a deer about to break cover.

Still not very June like weather, but at least it didn't feel as cold as the thermometer was saying. Every time in the past that I've had my camera out ready to capture deer on the approach path to Roseberry it's been a waste of time, so today I didn't bother, and yes, today was the 23rd walk on which I've been delighted to see at least one. Saw no one else today, but obviously well populated over the weekend, and I think I need to start taking a rubbish bag up on Monday mornings...

A bit cloudy and still a bit chilly, although a 'late' start - meaning the dog walkers were up and about - so not good for seeing the wilder wild life, hence no deer and no hares, or anything much else. Decided not to return via Hanging Stone today - think I'll save that for when there's more sun. Stopped to give Perdie a handful of fresh grass, but he wasn't that excited about it.

Fortieth walk! Accompanied David, a friend and co-chorister from St Mary's Church, Nunthorpe. A rather dull, overcast day, but at least it wasn't raining. No deer about, just a few hares. Met a couple of runners coming down from the top, but had the summit to ourselves, which makes a change.

Earliest start yet, but disappointing light. Still, I'm alive, I don't, apparently have bowel cancer, and I'm living in a glorious part of the country - so, what's to complain about! No deer, but a husk of hares (5 of them), one lolloping along the path towards me, then we both froze for a while before he turned tail and shot off with his friends. Decided to repeat Saturday's return via Hanging Stone, which added variety but didn't add too much to the time. 2nd Matterhorn climbed!

As part of St Nicholas Church Youth sponsored walk for Christian Aid. Starting from my usual starting point, I met up with them below Hutton Village. We took the most direct route to the top, then crossing over to above Little Roseberry, where they headed off for Captain Cook's Monument and I made for Hanging Stone. Dropped directly down from there to take the path down by Blue Lake to my normal finishing point, giving me enough time to get ready to go to a wedding in Nunthorpe. Not a lot of fauna to note due to the lateness of the hour and the size of the group, including several dogs.

Lovely sunny morning, once the sun was up, but still chilly. One deer, a bit far off to photograph clearly, but there nonetheless. Two young ladies already at the top admiring the view, with one man arriving while I was there and another on his way up - so, quite busy for 5 o'clock in the morning. This ascent is my last before reaching the half-way mark of my challenge! On Saturday I plan to take part in the St Nicholas Church Youth Christian Aid Three Peaks (Roseberry Topping, Captain Cook's Monument and Highcliffe) walk, which should qualify for inclusion in the challenge and will mark completing my 2nd Matterhorn equivalent ascent.

Sunny, chilly with a hint of mist lingering on low ground - see photo of Newton-under-Roseberry taken from the top. No deer today. Just an odd hare and a flight of Bullfinches on the forest track below Hanging Stone. Ferdy (the horse in the field on Hutton Village Road), seemed please to see me, especially when I proffered several handfuls of fresh grass.

Mist crept into the forecast and into reality overnight... Still, I had a good idea where I was going, to went anyway. The sun gave a brief glimpse of what was to be realised later, but was more or less in hiding when I hit the top. A couple of Jays flew across the path and one deer showed itself briefly down near Blue Lake. A close encounter with the female runner seen on Monday was a bit of a surprise, coming out of the mist as she did.

An early start (but not the earliest) on a not very promising day. One rabbit and a close encounter with a woodpecker. This time, with camera ready where I most often see deer, there was nothing. Roseberry was more or less wreathed in low cloud, so the views weren't great. And the woodpecker, having proclaimed his presence in the usual tapping way in the tree directly above me, declined to make himself visible. Still, at least it didn't rain.

Later start than normal to get the full sun and 0% chance of rain forecast. In spite of the sun a bit of a chilly wind to start. Being later than normal I didn't expect to see any deer, but delighted when three crossed the path quite close in front of me, put to flight by a young lady running down from Little Roseberry. A bit further on they decided, having circled round, to cross back over the path just ahead of me. A bit of a race to summit, to give myself a whole 5 seconds there to myself!

Not quite the sunny morning promised, but high clouds, no rain and a light, although chilly, northerly wind. A couple of deer in the woods near Olga's bench, and another one(?) on the path on the way back. The cuckoo letting me know it was back in the area, but keeping out of sight. A goodly number of pied wagtails flitting around Roseberry.

A gloriously sunny morning, although a bit chilly to start, but soon warmed up. Two people on the top when I arrived. One, the lady in pink, turns out to be a National Trust volunteer ranger, whom I've seen in the past, apparently picking up litter, so doing a grand job. No other wildlife of note, just a couple of hares. I think I need to set my alarm for earlier, to match the earlier sunrises.

Four squirrels, but no deer today. The lightness of the eastern sky giving an early promise of a fine day, but actually forecasted to be wet. Two people ahead of me on the way up, but like me they didn't stay long. This walk equates to 1978, the year I moved to Yorkshire, where I've been ever since - unless you count 3 years in Middlesbrough while at Teesside Polytechnic (as it was then). as being away.

Arrived at Roseberry to find it with its head in the clouds, so a bit of a damp ascent, but little wind and reasonable warm. The summit to myself, although as I was leaving someone else was just arriving. Resigned myself to not seeing any deer, when one nonchalantly walked across the track near Blue Lake. Shorty afterwards a lady with two large Alsatians appeared ahead of me walking towards me. The dogs, ears pricked, showed definite interested in my approach, so I was pleased to see they were well muzzled and held firmly on a lead, but it did bring back distant memories of an unleashed police dog bounding towards me in a case of mistaken identity...

Back after the hiatus cause by a viral infection of my mouth making calory intake very painful (also singing and blowing into musical instruments). An early start due to a disrupted night's sleep, so at the top by 5.20am, but three people already there admiring the view. A couple of fleeting sightings of deer. For a change heard the persistent calling of a cuckoo, obviously pleased to be back in the UK and numerous owl hoots. Avoiding being a target for them was a very small vole crossing the path just in front of me near Blue Lake, which was looking remarkably clear.

Unfortunately a viral infection of my mouth and throat has made talking/singing/blowing and, more importantly, eating a rather painful process. So, burning up hard won calories on climbing Roseberry is out for the moment. I hope to return to the fray as soon as it has settled. Meanwhile, here is a picture of a friend I made on Wednesday.

Didn't seem as cold as the thermometer suggested, and sunnier than expected. Saw two deer, one on the edge of the woods near their favourite field. The other out in the open on the lower slopes of Roseberry itself. Had the top to myself, although I saw two other couples who had evidently been up and met another pair of walkers on the stones on my way down.

Forecast 40% rain, with a brisk northerly wind, so not encouraging. Turned out not so bad after all. The wind kindly dropped while I was on top, but tried to blow me down on the descent, so a bit tricky as the stones were pretty slippery. All the fauna stayed well out of sight, as did fellow climbers, although I did spot a couple on the lower slopes.

A third of the way through the Challenge. Brought forward by a day as the forecast for Friday is not good. Chilly, with sunny intervals. Little fauna to see - a couple of rabbits and a squirrel so close I could have pulled his tail. Summit to myself, having passed a runner coming down, and that was it. Using a new tracking ap. on my phone, so figures might be slightly different,

When you meet a Yorkshireman with no legs and a wheelchair two thirds of the way up Roseberry Topping you just have to pause for a chat, and put things back in perspective. At least he had a lovely morning to brew his cup of Yorkshire tea, before setting off for Whitby. He used the quotation "Every man dies. Not every man really lives." which he attributed to Mark Twain. Although Mark Twain had a lot to say about living and dying, this quotation is, I believe, actually from William Wallace.

An early, but slightly overcast start, but sultry at 9deg . A couple of deer near the moor gate, between Roseberry Topping and Little Roseberry, followed by a Barn Owl on patrol. At the top in time to see a blood red sun creep up over the horizon. Always surprised how quickly it comes up. Only four of us there to see it, with a fifth arriving as I left. Tracker app. stopped working mid-way, so distance and ascent assumed the same as Friday's.

Cold,(3 deg), clear, no wind, no rain. In otherwards a lovely April morning. No deer in the field, but found a couple by the forest track leading up towards Hanging Stone. If I hadn't been thinking about breakfast I might have spotted them sooner and got a good picture. Only a small family group (3) sitting watching the sun rise over Little Roseberry.

A good early start in clear conditions, very different from last night. Three deer in the usual field, but only one on my return. The Barn Owl put in appearance but not close enough for me to provide convincing evidence of his presence. Had a whole 5 seconds to myself before being rapidly joined by five others.

Accompanied by youngest son, Kit, again. First 'Matterhorn' completed today! Being a Bank Holiday and having started a bit late it was fair heaving on the top by the time we got there, with more arriving by the minute. The grafittists had obviously been out in force, so removing it all from my photos (removing the oxygen of publicity) is taking longer. A couple of deer fleeing from another walker coming our way, disappeared from sight before we had a chance to photograph them.

An earlyish start for five intrepid members of the family + 1 dog. Walking from the Airbnb was considered but was just a bit far, bearing in mind the strenuous activity planned for the afternoon, so we drove to the lakeside road to start the ascent on a glorious morning. Later in the day more agile members of the family went Gorge Scrambling, while others played Crazy Golf and went for a row on Derwent Water.

A chance to stretch our legs after driving over from Teesside, and meeting up with the rest of the family, before booking into our Airbnb. A glorious day for it. Planned for the week: Gorge scrambling, a quick trip up Cat Bells, cycling at Whinlatter Pass and sailing/kayaking on Ullswater.

Not really a morning to entice one out of bed... The usual handful of rabbits, hares and squirrels about, and two deer grazing in one of the Home Farm wheat fields. Two woodpeckers audibly drilling for their breakfast and a brief glimpse of a Jay, all helped to lift the morning. Now taking a break for Holy Week, with the next ascent (and first Matterhorn completed) scheduled for 10th April,

Slightly warmer start to the day (6 deg.), but the promising clear sky didn't last - at least no rain. A veritable herd of deer (6) in the field. The Barn Owl also put in a brief appearance, but not long enough to photograph, as did two ferrets(?) crossing the track at phenomenal speed - so absolutely no chance of capturing them. Passed the 100mile mark today! Two more ascents to hit my first Matterhorn, but taking Holy Week off for other things, so may have to wait until after Easter.

First walk of British Summer Time - at last! A chilly start (0 deg.), but little or no wind, and potentially sunny. No deer today, but four Mad March hares seen by the moor gate near RT (see photo in gallery below). A light dusting of snow at the higher altitudes, with full sun as promised! A beautiful morning to be up and about!

Windier and colder than I was expecting, and not as sunny either. Still, at least it wasn't raining. Three deer in the same field again, but other than an rabbit in a front garden in Newtondale and a couple of squirrels, that was my lot for wildlife. Since the trig-point features so prominently in this walks photo, it has undergone a bit of a 'clean-up' to remove the worst of the graffiti.

Greeted with a shower just after setting out, but didn't last. The wind in the tree tops going through Guisborough Woods, was a bit concerning, but the steepest part of the climb was in the lee, so not too bad - just hit me when getting towards the top. Eight deer today, plus a couple of rabbits and two ferrets(? ) moving pretty fast, so hard to identify - oh, yes, and a migrating frog on on the track.

Accompanied by youngest son Kit, on a glorious morning. It was surprising how having company made the hills less steep, and the miles roll away. Four deer in the field, still, but that was all we saw.

A later start after a long day yesterday. Summit busy with three people already up there. Three deer grazing in the field again, with another four crossing the track down by Blue Lake, only one of which I managed to photograph. Statistics for today's walk look a bit dubious, for some reason.

Cold and frosty morning, and icy underfoot. Three deer grazing in the field again. Surprised another one on the track down by Blue Lake - a good place for a down-hill ice-skating event! Approached RT just as the sun was beginning to hit the summit.

Mon: Forecast of 45mph winds and rain.. Tues: Full sunshine, no rain. What they call a 'No Brainer'. It was indeed sunny and virtually no wind. A bit wet underfoot from the torrential rain yesterday. Saw three deer quietly grazing in a field on the way up, plus another about a third the way up the final climb, which bounded off as I approached.

Earliest start yet. Hadn't intended to go this morning as the weather forecast was dire, bit one look out of the window at 5.20am changed my mind. Hit the top at 6.44am, as did the precipitation - or rather horizontal very wet snow - not nice, so beat a hasty retreat. Plenty of deer tracks in the woods, but no sign of their creators. Slow walking in the snow pushed the time up somewhat.

Greeted by temperatures of -3, a clear sky and the 'Worm Moon' (Full moon from last night) edging towards the western horizon, as the sun was coming up in the east. One man, flying a drone there already, soon to be joined by three others.

Brought Monday's climb forward to today as the weather forecast for Monday is not good (sleet, but no longer sub-zero temperatures). Hit the top at 7.10am but still no sun, although promised. On the way back saw something - not the right size/movement for a deer, so may have been a badger.

Wanted to see the dawn, so an early start: sunrise was at 6.50am, I was at the top at 07.11am, but the sun was not to be seen. What I did see was a Barn Owl on an early morning prowl and three more deer, this time near the path leading down to The Blue Lake.

Looking out of the window it really did not look a good day to be going, but once out and about it wasn't too bad. It even cleared a bit when I got to the top.