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Click here for a special Christmas Song.

(Make sure your PC speakers are switched on . . . then control the sound from the secondary display )

The music track is courtesy of our friend Helmut Hudler in Austria . . . he sings the part of Santa with his music group "Vokal 8" recorded in concert 2013.

We discussed the flooding of recent years and discussed the ways the Rivers Trust are trying to alleviate it.

Vicky Salis and her team brought a working river model along for the lads to play with, set up in the back room (sorry no pictures).

As it was the Christmas meeting we also enjoyed a Kirkstile meal in very pleasant surroundings that night.

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It looks like we're not going to get a white Christmas this year.

The below-zero temperatures of late led to a problem Saturday of black ice when the first rains fell

but now the southerly winds have brought 'warm' air and the temperatures have risen considerably.

A misty view of our garden from our lounge window.

The flip side of damp weather is that it sometimes produces nice cloud effects.

This was the layered clouds moving across Low Fell across the field from our cottage.

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Christmas is a time for carol singing . . . a local tradition that has been kept going for many years.

On Thursday we met up at Brook Farm, Thackthwaite and enjoyed liquid refreshments and mince pies

to tune our voices ready for an evening of song.

Latterhead . . . with song but also a slight drizzle in the air.

John Macfarlane's picture of Ann (our organiser) myself, Margi and Sue.

Warm mulled wine and more refreshments on this cool evening.

No names . . . to protect the guilty.

John's picture again with a more spectral look.

Back to the Kirkstile to sing to the hotel residents and visitors . . .

Well it was on the way . . . would be churlish not too !

A few songs later we stopped at the Grange Hotel at the bottom end of Loweswater.

Indoors by the warm fire for a selection of carols.

A lull in proceedings as we request a final choice of song to sing.

The evening continued with a very sociable hour or so at Kenny and Val Bell's farm which was most appreciated.

Many of those who were unable to join us 'on the road' made it up to the farm for this pre-Christmas event.

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Another day and another weather system.

Friday morning and the clouds at the head of the valley were continually on the move.

Zooming in on Rannerdale Knotts as the sun tries to break through at the head of the valley.

We started proceedings at Scale Hill.

There were many stops on the way tonight including this one at Rannerdale Farm.

Mike and Ann invited us in to sing at Syke Farm.

A few local Christmas lights . . . including Fletcher's garden tree at Crossgates with a 'snowy' white top and reindeer.

Tree lights guide us home through Lamplugh.

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The beauty of the British climate is that it is always changing.

The following morning dawned bright with the sun shining down the valley underneath the clouds . . .

and lit up the Church . . . . two days before Christmas.

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So it's time to relax into the festive period.

We hope you all have a relaxed few days and like us, look forward to a Happy New Year.

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One last thought from a regular Loweswatercam Viewer :- The AA have warned that anyone travelling in icy conditions should take a shovel, a blanket or sleeping bag, extra clothing (such as a hat, a scarf and gloves).... sufficient food and drink for 24 hours, de-icer and rock salt, torch and spare battery, petrol can and jump leads, first aid kit. I felt a right idiot on the bus ! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from John Grayson

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