Behold! I have returned from a hike.

I was in the Lake District this weekend. My parents were there on holiday for the week, and my brother, sister-in-law, and six-month-old niece were also visiting. Savages assemble.

We’re all keen hikers, and it’s my brother’s mission to complete all the Wainwright peaks. This time, the target was Silver Howe.

Silver Howe is one of the smaller fells, standing at 395 metres, just above Grasmere and not far from Ambleside. It’s a gentle climb with a few steep bits, but mostly the path winds up and around through bracken and juniper bushes, with cracking views across to Helm Crag and over Grasmere Water.

Mum stayed behind to chill and read a book, while the rest of us (niece strapped to my brother) headed out and up. The day before had been all torrential rain and thunderstorms, but this morning was bright, warm, and hiker-friendly.

It’s not a big or difficult hike. A couple of steeper sections, but mostly the path ambled up and around. We passed sheep, a few other early risers heading down, and some friendly strangers who stopped to admire my niece’s heroic effort, which she ignored, of course, fast asleep.

It was also Father’s Day here in the UK, so doing this with my dad, and my brother who is now also, weirdly, a dad, felt especially nice.

After the walk, we met back up with Mum and did the only acceptable thing: a full, hearty, gravy-soaked, Yorkshire pudding–topped Sunday roast at the Waterhead.

Highly recommended.