We are in Penrith today to collect a friend from the train.  Helen is over from Australia visiting her family

and has been able to find a few days to join us here in the Lakes.   She will be with us for three nights,

We're a few minutes early so I have chance for a quick walk around Penrith Castle

This was at one time home of the future King Richard III  . . . he was the one who died at Bosworth Field in 1485 (his death ending the War of the Roses).

His body was found and recently re-buried in Leicester Cathedral in 2015.

Since he lived here they've invented railways . . . and built a station just across the way

so the good people of the land can be transported much more speedily across the nation than in his day.

Waiting those last few minutes for Helen's train was a delight.

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Helen is over for a couple of months in total and she has left her partner Danny at home to run the farm (they grow wild flowers for the flower trade).

She has also left lots of those unusual looking animals (on the right) behind too.  Helen and Danny live near Perth on the south west tip of Australia.

[ Thanks for the photos from your camera card Helen ]

On the way back over Whinlatter Pass we stop to enjoy the view . . .

the scenery behind the ice cream van isn't bad either.

Cheers !

Helen however, is no stranger to the UK as she was born and brought up in the same home town in Wales as Ann.

They have known each other since 2nd year secondary school . . . first meeting when they were twelve years old.

That's even longer than we've known each other . . . scary !

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On our returning home we were just about to go for a walk in the lovely afternoon sun when a neighbour appeared outside.

Joan was going for a walk down to the lake with her dog Max, so we all joined company and set off together.

I left them to it at Low Park and took Harry home at a more sedate speed

leaving to others to walk down to the lake at their own pace.

[ All the pictures from here on are taken either by Helen or Ann of course ]

Helen spotted a local robin on the wall in the lane to High Park.

. . . and appreciated the view up the valley towards Haystacks and Great Gable.

The end of the lane at Mellbreak Cottage.

Summer sunshine falls on the cottage . . . the shadow on the field is that of Mellbreak under which it nestles.

Their view is superb . . . across the valley to Whiteside, Hopegill Head and Grasmoor.

Over the rise, the lake and the distant high fells come into view.

Across the way . . . the boathouse . . . renovated in recent years and capable of storing boats once again.

Joan. Dylan and Max down on Sandy Yat beach.

Time to throw a few sticks for the dogs to retrieve . . . if you can find any down there.

Walking around "The Peel", the promontory that sticks out into the lake.

Across the way Rannerdale Knotts is bathed in afternoon sun.

The Pump Hose, hidden rather by the trees but visible due to the protective wall at lake level.

[ It is always nice to see other people's photos to see what catches their eye.]

The fallen pines at the water's edge as lake level is reached once again.

Any more sticks ?        . . . or photos required ?

Ann, Joan and Max sitting on another of the fallen logs.

Helen is seeing Crummock Water at its best.

Lovely cloud reflections in the lake.

A closer shot of the head of the lake . . . and the distant high fells clear as a bell this afternoon.

Back across the fields . . . across the way is Little Dodd on the way up to Hen Comb, the summit of which is off to the left.

End of the day . . . sunset from our garden here in Loweswater.

Whiteside with that "Ayres Rock" effect

reminding Helen of her adopted country . . . now her home on the other side of the world.

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Now on sale . . . The Loweswatercam Calendar 2018 For this 10th anniversary edition we have been looking back at the year to bring you twelve months of Loweswater pictures, Lakeland scenes and your favourite mountain dogs. £10 a copy (plus postage + packaging if required) £1 of every calendar sold goes to support  the Air Ambulance and local Mountain Rescue.   Click here to see the full details and to order your copy.