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" A 'cool' weekend with Hilton "

Date & start time:    Sat/Sunday 9th/10th December 2017.

Location of Start :   By the red phone box, Loweswater, Cumbria, Uk. ( NY 143 211 )

Places visited :         Flass Woods, Brackenthwaite How and the Pine Tree next day.

Walk details :             3 local walks each of indeterminate length and time.

Highest point :           Arriving back home into the warm house.

Walked with :             Hilton, Ann and our dogs, Harry and Dylan.

Weather :                    Dry and cold, a really deep frost after snow showers.

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The weather has entered a deep, cold spell with overnight temperatures one night down to -10 degrees C.

The ground is hard, it's not wet and all is well with the world.

The sunshine even made an appearance for Hilton on Sunday . . . on the third of our walks.

On Friday the three of us spent the evening in the Village Hall at a wine tasting organised by our neighbour.

A great evening tasting great wines . . . without any pressure at the end to buy anything . . . as all were available in town for less than £10.

- - - o o o - - -

Saturday morning and we're up with the 8am lark . . . or whatever the noise was that woke us from our sleep.

The sun is just rising over Rannerdale Knotts . . . casting its rays across Crummock Water onto Mellbreak.

Too good a morning for Hilton to miss out on an early walk.

It was a cold night, maybe even down into double figures below freezing but it's dry, fresh and a bright new day.

The views across the churchyard to the Kirkstile Inn.
The road from there to Low Park . . . no mud in sight !

We look across Church Beck towards Kirkhead Farm.

As Hilton, myself and Dylan walk on past the pub . . . it's open for breakfast if you're staying there.

The cool prospect of Mellbreak . . . but we'll stay low, staying in the woods at it's foot today.

The morning sun has reached Lorton's Kirk Fell at the foot of Whinlatter Pass.

[ by the time you read this, the three week road works are over and the road over the pass is open once again ]

The faces of Whiteside and Grasmoor will have to remain white for a while.

They don't get the sun till late morning.

A lovely hint of a glow ahead as the sun reaches Carling Knott.

Frozen bubbles in the wheel tracks of the lane.
Into Flass Woods . . . with a view across to the pub again.

The old oak woodland survives despite regular bashing by the winds.

In a slight clearing (caused by the 2005 hurricane winds) the snow has had more chance to settle.

Hilton looks across at the lake and to the distant boathouse.

We extend the walk to include a visit up and over to Crummock Water via Green Wood.

The view over the rise is always different . . .  and always good.

How strong was that wall builder ?  It's a big stone up there !
A Swaledale in Buttermere Dale.

Rannerdale Knotts . . . the sun has moved on . . . but cloud has moved in to meet it.

The fells behind include Fleetwith Pike, Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green and the crags of Great Gable.

A wider panorama as we start our way down the slope.

Careful . . . the short grass is slippery when icy !

The view through the gate all the way to the head of the lake.

A quiet weather morning brings the reward of better reflections.

Perhaps an artistic blade of reed by the water's edge . . .
. . . or stones in the bay of Sandy Yat beach.

The old tree seems to be getting smaller and smaller each year.

If you squint it looks a bit like a dog rushing down onto the beach ?

Mellbreak Cottage . . . but no time to hang about as we haven't had breakfast !

Nearly completing the circle as the Kirkstile comes into view once again.

I wonder if Ann and Harry are up . . . and have they put the coffee on to brew ?

- - - o o o - - -

 

In the afternoon we took a stroll

up onto Lanthwaite Hill to show Hilton

a view of the Loweswater Pheasant.

 

He'd sneaked a view of it on his 2018 Calendar

and wanted to see it for himself.

 

It has warmed up slightly

so some of the snow has melted from the grass.

The picture left is of Grasmoor

with a cap of mist on its western face.

 

- - - o o o - - -

On top of Lanthwaite Hill, Scale Hill or Brackenthwaite How . . . whatever you wish to call it.

Time for a 'treat' for the dogs after another successful climb.  Hold your cursor over the picture to join in.

There's more cloud about this afternoon . . . so the fells are less distinct.

Can you see it . . . the pheasant flying in from the right ?

You can spot it because the snow hasn't settled on its woody feathers.

- - - o o o - - -

On the Sunday the overnight temperature had dropped again . . . but the sun had come out to brighten the scene this morning.

Time to fit in a walk up to the Pine Tree for Hilton to enjoy the classic view up the valley.

Low Fell was high enough to gather a little extra snow overnight.

- - - o o o - - -

 

Scots Pines further down the fell.

 

These are at the start of the drive to Wood End House.

 

Over the back Carling Knott is in full sunshine.

 

- - - o o o - - -

A wider view as we start the final climb above Whinney Ridding Woods.

The enclosed valley ahead is High Nook.

Hilton tree-hugging in appreciation of the tree . . . no-one asked what the tree thought about it !

Ahh . . . that view . . . the second time in a few days for us . . . but a much less frequent visit for Hilton.

What goes up must come down . . . as my phone captures the view of the Vicarage and the lake.

Just one more field and we're home . . . just have to ask the sheep nicely to let us through.

- - - o o o - - -

 

From our own correspondent . . .

 

We gave you a wave

as we strolled around Crummock Water

early this morning ...

Chris & Jeff

 

Thanks for the wave.

I thought I felt the sun go in for a second . . . RmH

- - - o o o - - -

 

Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Panasonic Lumix TZ60, or my Panasonic Lumix Gx8 Camera or the phone.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . a bowl of milk and oats to make up a warm porridge.

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Previous walk - 8th December 2017 - A cold walk for a Friday !

A previous time up here - 21st January 2013 - Local and Calvert

While you have the chance . . . try your luck - 12th December 2017 - The 2017 Web Counter Competition

Next walk - 16-18th December 2017 - Pre-Christmas to Camberley

On sale now . . . last few copies . . . in time for Christmas !

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) Special offer available for two or more.

£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.