" Halloween and a Rannerdale Ramble " at EveryTrail
 

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A quiet walking time due to work and other restrictions.  This afternoon Ann and I managed a walk along the side of Rannerdale Knotts

on an afternoon that included a brief visit to Honister to check on Calendar sales.

A few photos first of recent walks and work ... well at least a lunchtime stroll in the middle of a working day.

Bethan relaxing at the base of the tree on the side of Low Fell.

She's very poorly at the moment and now finds walking uphill a struggle . . . and a peaceful sit down is appreciated . . .

I said a peaceful sit down with no interruptions would be nice !

" That's a big dog . . . what should I do about it Dad ? "

That's better . . . more her size . . . as the miniature Shetlands move away and Harry moves back.

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All Hallow's Eve was a working day for me but I managed a short outing at lunchtime to the Keswick Market.

The Moot Hall surrounded by Thursday's Market stalls.	The Wicked Witch of the North-West was out and about.

The guy in the hat admitted to a Halloween birthday today which delighted the larger than life lady in red.

Somewhere there was a stall doing some great face painting for kids too . . . but sorry no photos.

One of the gear shops is displaying wreaths that will be placed on the Cenotaph in ten day's time.

[ We'll pass on Great Gable this year but hope to make it up to Castle Crag on Remembrance Sunday for the ceremony there at 11am.]

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The following day the weather was kinder and the Lakes had plenty of sunshine on offer.

We drove the short distance up to Rannerdale for a walk.

Start of the drive . . . the 'positive' sign post rather than the 'negative' one in AW's book.

The Autumn colours are starting to show as the woodland prepares for winter.

Let's hope that the poor weather forecasted for the country this week doesn't remove all of the leaves

so there will be some left in place to colour the season.

" Light and shade "

We stop the car overlooking Crummock Water where the shadow of Mellbreak throws us into the dark

but the gap formed by Floutern Pass allows the sunshine through to brighten up Rannerdale Knotts.

We're on Hause Point now, where that rounded shape of Mellbreak can be seen as a bold shadow,

the lighter one half way up Grasmoor being cast by the moving clouds above the fells.

We parked at the head of the lake overlooking Wood House Islands.

There's a dark upright post in the middle of the island . . . that appears to be moving.

The explanation is found when a canoe emerges from the other side.

Let's hope they go back and fetch him before it gets dark.

Our route is up the gentle ascent to Rannerdale Hause from the Buttermere side.

Alongside the old track is a rather fine, rounded Rowan tree.

It has set fruit reasonably well this year . . . the harbinger of a cold winter perhaps ?

Certainly the size and colour of the fruit is stunning.

High above patrolling the ridge, we spotted a rather fine Buzzard

easily identifiable by his size, the light patches under his wings and the rounded tail.

Looking back at the head of Buttermere Valley beyond Wood House.

Zooming in slightly on Wood House and the Long How Woodland.

The sun still shines on Green Gable and Great Gable behind the shady Haystacks.

The Herdwick makes a fine subject for photography with their stout legs and interesting fleece.

Add to that their inquisitiveness with standing on high ground to see what's going on, and you have the makings of a nice picture.

Climbing the crags . . . as agile as a mountain . . . sheep !

We have climbed a little but the shade has climbed a lot . . . only the top is now still in the sun.

We venture out onto the end of the hause.

Time to be off and let someone else enjoy the view.

Ann finds a few treats for our two.

Mellbreak's shadow has moved on with time and is starting to cover the Lad How path.

Below, two cars head down the valley, passing the little bay at Hause Point.

The old Ash tree has seen better days . . . and is no more than an oversize stump now.

Time is getting on and it is getting no brighter.

With the hour gone back it is dark by five o'clock nowadays.

The late afternoon sun did shine nicely on the rippled waters of the lake

highlighting the sheep on the Hause.

Ann takes up a thoughtful pose too.

Hold your cursor over the picture to catch her attention.

Maybe she was watching this fine Heron as he flew with slow wing beats up the lake.

Time to be heading back . . . we've got one dog . . . where's the other ?

Fine . . . Harry's never far away.

As we walk back the sunshine on the high fells subtly changes.

The west facing slopes catch the light.

Brandreth loses the sun but Green Gable remains in sunshine

that is travelling the length of Ennerdale Valley behind Haystacks.

Nearly back at the car . . . the fence line and the light make artistic reflections.

From the beach, the view towards Floutern Pass.

The canoe has gone, the people towelled, dried and away in their car . . . the island returns to solitude once more.

We get back to our car . . . but not this one . . .

but it would be a nice way to enjoy the scenery though wouldn't it.

The last of the sun shines over Lingcomb Edge, Gale Fell and Great Borne.

The low sun shining almost horizontally across the latter.

Time for tea !

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