This morning

Rannerdale Bluebells

The bluebells are beautiful this year, and with the gorse out, a walk around Rannerdale Knots and onto Crummock water was just gorgeous.....

Spring in Naddle & St John's valleys

Some shots of the views locally, this one looking up St John's in the Vale to Blencathra, one of my favourite views - breathtaking

Tig in the garden, looking towards the Barn cottages, always a poser that dog!

And this beautiful shot of the Naddle valley, taken by 2 of  our lovely guests on their honeymoon

Warm Spring sunshine, this is the best time of year

The view to Blencathra from The Sett, that fell looks soooo enticing from here!

And Helvellyn from Bleaberry cottage, still patches of snow, but the top clear and sunny, lovely.

An evening over Keswick-on-Derwentwater

I've deliberately given our local town its full title, because the views gained from this accessible vantage-point make the most of Keswick's unrivalled location. Scroll down - you'll see what I mean.

With 90 minutes free time mid-evening, Tig and I left the car in the carpark behind the summit of Latrigg, for quick and easy access to Jenkin Hill, on the South-Eastern flank of the mighty Skiddaw.

The first thing of note: a memorial stone to Skiddaw shepherds Edward Hawell and his son Joseph

The view back South-eastwards towards Brackenrigg showed High Rigg beautifully illuminated by the evening sunlight.

Onwards and upwards, and to the South West we were now gaining good views of the Derwentwater fells above Portinscale village, with Scar Crags (another favourite walk) catching the sun

By now, turning again to take in the view South East, we saw a magnificent panorama of the Helvellyn range from Clough Head along the Dodds (Great, Stybarrow and Watson's), to Raise (ski-lift not in view), Whiteside, Lower Man and Helvellyn itself.

We were high above the now-golden Latrigg, and Derwentwater was in full view.

Suffice to say ... words can't really add to that!

Gone fishin'

I've never tried fishing. It has always seemed to me, to paraphrase Mark Twain's view of golf, a good paddle spoiled.
But when a couple of friends invited me to have a dangle in Derwentwater yesterday evening, I thought I'd give it a go.
The tranquility was overwhelming, and, combined with the incredible scenery, created a sense of being somewhere other than dear old England. It is not uncommon to feel that way in the Lake District.

Here's the view across Derwentwater, with the distinctive outline of Causey Pike to the left, and the pyramidal Grisedale Pke to the right.

Bleaberry Fell is the high-point on the skyline here, with Bleaberry cottage just down behind it

The view to the Newlands Valley features the sculpted curve of Robinson in the centre. (According to Wainwright, the name Robinson comes from a Richard Robinson who purchased estates in the Buttermere area many centuries ago. These included this unnamed hill which was then called "Robinson's Fell", later shortened to Robinson.)

If you've been round these parts, you may well recognise Catbells ... possibly the most popular 'first ascent' in the Lake District. Depending on the route you choose, it can involve use of your hands for balance, giving children a real sense of  'climbing a mountain'.

So, a mellow time was had by all ... fish included!

Well it isn't raining here!

Apparently Britain is under a deluge of heavy rain.
Not here in the Naddle, it isn't!
Gorgeous Spring morning.... here's sunrise over High Rigg, illuminating our willow plantation and ball-play paddock / picnic area

The view up to Steel Crag above Shoulthwaite Ghyll, with Brocklebeck cottage in the foreground

And this is Helvellyn, viewed from Brackenrigg

Finally (for now) Blencathra, through the Brackenrigg trees