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The weather forecasts are getting more accurate nowadays (leaving aside some notable exceptions)

and this week was predicted to be the last of the current winter high pressure before a mild but stormy week ahead. 

Better get up for a few sunny sunrise pictures before the weather turns.

I put the bedside alarm on really early . . . 8.25 am !

A big sky greets me as I look up the valley . . . time for a short photographic excursion into the field opposite.

The leaves of the oak are silhouetted against the morning sky.

Not a moment too soon . . . as the sky changes colour and the sun starts to make an appearance.

The coloured sky is reflected in Crummock Water

as I zoom in on the last of the snow on Green and Great Gable.

There's an overcast sky to the east so the colour is beautiful, but the sun less intense as a result.

The bigger lens picks out the Rannerdale Knotts skyline.

More aircraft trails cross the sky as the light increases and colours become more enhanced.

[Technical:  Two half pictures blended together to get the correct sky exposure yet add the correct colour to Rose Cottage and the fields in the foreground.]

Time to be up and about and start eating the grass once again . . . the sheep that is, not me.

Time to wander back to the cottage . . . hopefully there's a morning cup of tea ready when I get back.

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Another morning the sunlight was stronger and the colours much brighter as a result.

This is Low Fell opposite the front door of the cottage.

A dash of white on Whiteside.

The sunny weather has meant that high fells like Grasmoor have lost most of their obvious snow cover.

Looking down towards Crummock and along the length of the Buttermere Valley.

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On Sunday we ventured over to Cogra Moss for a short walk.

This is the view north as we start out on the path to the reservoir.

Converted from a derelict Water Board Pump house, the building with all the velux windows

has been set up to accommodate individuals and parties of up to 23 people and is known as Felldyke Bunkhouse

At the top of the field we get our first view of the summit of Blake Fell.

Ancient beech trees line the water board track to the lake.

Closer now and the water overflow channel is more obvious.

The reservoir has been decommissioned and is now maintained purely as a leisure facility for walkers and fishermen.

The old water take-off point . . . the healthy orange lichen showing the clean nature of the air up here.

A nine inch waterfall as the lake drains through a fish trap and over the sill.

From above, the mesmerising water has the occasional wave which ripples over the tiny falls.

Hold your cursor over the picture to see one pass.

It looks warmer up there so we head on . . . chasing the sunshine.

The fishing seats by the lake are too cold to sit on.

They get limited warmth at this time of year as Knock Murton will block the direct light from the low sun.

Nearly there as we walk up through the forestry

but it has taken a diversion off-piste to actually see the setting sun.

Back on the track now as the sun is falling behind Knock Murton . . . time to be heading back down.

As we walk back all the sheep run away, despite us being two fields apart . . . funny things sheep !

The sun casts a last glow on the western sky.

No great colours tonight . . . just a cool, icy blue to match the temperature at the end of this day.

Fewer ripples on the water now as the breeze has eased on this side of the lake.

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On the way home we called in to see a Loweswatercam viewer, Fletcher Ditchburn.

He has been a keen fellwalker all his life but has been badly affected by Motor Neuron Disease in recent years

but that doesn't stop him being a whizz on his computer, helped by some interesting technical gizmos.

This was him being helped up Skiddaw by an army of friends in 2010

and he managed a trip up Blake two years later in a similar fashion.  Great to meet you Fletcher.

 

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Wednesday 7th . . . as I write up this page for our web site

the weather forecast I mentioned earlier has come true in a big way . . .

Mellbreak (or the lack of it) from our back door.

Time to walk the dogs . . . I hope there's a break in the rain soon . . .

and why is always my turn to walk the dogs on the wet days ?

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