David's interest in rocks and minerals led him to suggest a walk over Carrock Fell in search of Gabbro on our "day off". Iread up on the subject and devised a route from Stone Ends Farm, straight up to the crags, where there was supposed to be Gabbro, and then straight on again to the summit.

We drove through Mungrisdale and Mosedale, and had our first ever sighting of wild Fell Ponies. Living near the New Forest, we are used to wild ponies, but Fell Ponies are now very rare. The road soon became empty of other vehicles and buildings, and by the time we reached Stone Ends Farm we were clearly in Remote Lakeland.

There was plenty of wildlife in this remote place, with Meadow Pipits and Wheatears telling us off for invading their privacy.

Although my plan had been to return the way we came, seeing a fell-runner taking the route to the north over the grassy slopes, made David persuade me that a nice, safe descent would be so much more pleasant. He also insisted on checking any future routes I devise for the proximity of contour lines - I cannot think why!

The walk down the northern slope was a pleasant stroll, with more wildlife, including a Red Grouse, who was much less pleased to see us than we were to see him.