Black Grouse. This was a real bonus, seeing these rather rare birds at close quarters is very unusual. (not the best quality shot though as it was taken from the car at almost full zoom.)

 At the summit of the Keld/ Nateby road I parked up to begin the walk. The sun was trying to break through.

My route was to simply follow the Coast to Coast (winter route) up to the summit of Nine Standards Rigg.

 Passing the area of Limestone Pavements.

Rigg Beck drops down into Dukerdale in a mini High Cup Nick.

 Wild Boar Fell is the distant (grey) fell above the shelter.

Late evening sun on the Eden Valley. My hopes of some of that sun hitting us didn't look promising.

 The summit cairn of Nine Standards Rigg.

The line of cairns which have a commanding aspect over the eden valley.

 This is the biggest cairn and occupies the central position.

In recent years the cairns have been restored, each being different in size and shape. the light was now almost gone so it was a straight-forward return to the car by simply re-tracing my steps.