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A day of un-forecasted sunshine and we take the chance to do a longer local walk,

modified slightly as we went along to give Dylan a chance of an extra run.

The weather improved as the day progressed, right through to sunset.

The spring weather has encouraged a good show of daffodils this year as it did with the snowdrops.

We parked the car just outside the village and walked to the start of the lane that leads to the fells from the centre of the village.

The lane climbs between Thackthwaite House and the old Galloway Farm.

A close up of the heather in bloom, a sight more common in late summer on the fells.

This can be attributed to the stream that shares the gully with the track.

The stump of an old fallen tree spans the ditch and the small stream.

Their first run saw them veering north over Fellbarrow

. . . on their second blast through the valley they headed off over Mellbreak.

With the sound of the aircraft slowly diminishing . . . a quiet Crummock Water is shrouded by the distant haze.

Rannerdale Knotts is there but Haystacks and Brandreth behind are lost in the haze.

On the path up onto Low Fell Ann and I decided to take different routes for a while.

She and Harry continued on towards Low Fell . . . I took Dylan off for a wider circuit including Fellbarrow.

That's us half way up the other side of the valley.

Dylan was getting plenty of exercise that a young dogs needs . . . he even ran back to Ann twice, checked she was okay and re-joined me as I climbed.

[ The advantage of a dog whistle is that you don't have to shout if you want him to return.]

Why musical ?           Hmmm . . . it looks like a tuning fork.

Dylan makes the summit of the summit . . . the top of Fellbarrow trig point . . . (I helped him up by the way).

Hold your cursor over the picture to see his thoughts on the matter !

The view towards distant Skiddaw is slightly clearer now.

I could contour around to meet up with Ann

but I decide to stick to the high ground of Smithy Fell and Sourfoot Fell ahead.

At the boundary stone on Sourfoot Fell . . . looking down the Crabtree Beck Valley.

In the mean time Ann and Harry walked a smaller circuit to reach Watching Crag,

where they had a fine view down into the Lorton Valley.

From there they also enjoyed a view along the Low Fell ridge towards the summit.

Ann looking back at her route from Watching Crag.

My view at about the same time . . . from a slightly different angle.

Crummock Water as I reach the stile on the sharp climb to the summit.

I seem to have lost my dog again  !

We all meet up again at the summit of Low Fell.

Onward and downward now . . . even if it is a rather undulating journey till we reach the southern cairn.

Downhill . . . and Harry breaks into a trot.

There's been a smell of smoke in the air on this last section.

The only reason we can see is a fire down by the lake where they are burning off some hedge trimmings.

From the southern summit it is a short (windy !) walk down to the viewpoint cairn.

We've time to sit for a while . . . preferably out of the strong breeze.

The dogs seem concerned as I look to have fallen asleep !

Whiteside, Grasmoor and the fells surrounding Crummock Water are a fine landscape to enjoy from our elevated position.

We chose a descent route direct to the pine tree as that was also on the more sheltered side of the fell today.

Before we reach the tree we pass the circular sheep fold part-way down the southern side.

Looking out from the centre of the fold.

Many of the stones have fallen or been lost but the shape is still clear.

The slope is still steep and we need to be careful as we descend.

The pine tree has grown up within an old sheepfold.

The tree is over a century old so the sheep fold, now reduced to undulations in the grass, must be even older.

The view south, looking down on the houses of Foulsyke and the small lake alongside Godferhead Farm.

Below the old tree we enter Whinny Ridding Woods.

This old woodland also shows signs of the heavy weather over the years.

Several old firs have been toppled . . . but the back one is still growing.

The trunk has turned upward and continues to push its green leaves towards the sky.

Down at the forest gate at valley level.

Looking back at Low Fell now that we are down.

Extra winter feed is in place for the sheep.

The local farmer will be lambing these sheep towards the end of April, quite late compared to some farms

but suits himself and there should be more grass for them to eat at that time.

Almost home . . . and the weather is definitely clearing.

Godferhead keeps five horses, four of which are close at hand in the next field.

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After a late lunch we fitted in all the rest of life which today included a bit of gardening.

Towards the end of the afternoon the weather cleared completely.

Sunset, significantly later now after 6pm, has brought clear skies

but there are still clouds about . . . including one cloaking Great Gable at the head of the valley.

The sun setting though cloud far out to the west has thrown a yellow hue onto our local fells.

Grasmoor colour through the boughs of one of our oak trees.

Time now to go inside to download all these photos from the camera, get supper for the dogs and also prepare something for ourselves.

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