Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)
Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weather: Sunny and warm.22C.
It was a gorgeous day today, too good to miss out on a walk when the opportunity arose. I really fancied having a swim somewhere and Beacon Fell ticked all the right boxes for that along with the views of course. Although it was sunny and warm, autumn is quickly catching us now and the fells are turning a beautiful golden colour which was enhanced by the sunshine today.

Ah, there you are Dougal Doo! Beacon Fell is the other way, behind you. What a good lad he was today - no, make that a very good lad. This was his first taste of the freedom of the fells as he was off the lead throughout the walk. No problems responding to command, no problems with sheep, in fact no problems at all.

Beacon Fell summit. The 'treasure' tin we placed here in April has gone as has everything we left inside including the fable of the box. It has been replaced with a rather less elegant plastic box, suitably enhanced earlier the same day with Spiderman badges kindly left by a young StridingEdge fan, Alfie.

Beacon Tarn, known forever in our house as 'Sparkly Tarn' due to the moniker Connie gave it a couple of years ago.

...well, me! In this reversal of roles, Dougal is guarding our things whilst we have a swim. I wonder if he can find a stick for me to fetch?

At great risk to life, limb and camera, BeaconTarnCam brings you the view from the middle of the tarn looking to Wool Knott. It was wonderful in here today and I spent a good while having a swim in the warm sunshine. Absolute heaven. I couldn't help thinking, though, that this was probably the final curtain call for summer and the last outdoor swim of 2009.