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The suggestion of the title of a web page often comes to me part way around a walk, based on who we are with, when we went to, or where we ended up.

  This time I looked at the selection of pictures on the computer afterwards and it was the sheer variety of colours that stood out from the day.

Do join us on a veritable rainbow ride over to Ennerdale and back as we take an afternoon walk in search of sunshine.

After lunch at this time of year the north western valleys tend to end up in shade due to the height of the surrounding fells.

We drive round to Ennerdale to try and take advantage of an extra hour of sun with any luck.

At first sight the theory is working !

The car park is fairly full and there are people milling about everywhere . . . presumably with similar ideas about warmth.

Hmmm . . . that didn't work.

At 3pm in early February Crag Fell has cast its shadow over us all.

Still . . . there's sunshine on Bowness Knott and the shadow of the fell only extends over this part of the road . . . so we walk on.

Sun on the high fells, sun on the tree tops now and sun by the lake in a few hundred yards time.

A cloud behind makes it look like wind blown spindrift

but through the zoom lens Steeple Fell looks clear and bright.

Down by the lakeside and a classic view of Pillar and Steeple from close to the water.

Beautiful reflections of rich trees in the calm waters of a small inlet.

Ann keeps moving to keep a little warmer as I hang back for another photo.

We continue on until we reach the site of the old iron "burnary" or smelt mill.

Local iron or from across the lake was mixed with wood (charcoal) and burnt to produce a crude for of pig-iron.

Early uses were to make agricultural equipment often funded by the pre-reformation monasteries.

Later more commercial production led to the industrial revolution and iron-ship building down at Barrow on the coast.

The sun has set below Iron Crag opposite so we're in the shade again.

We turn left and walk up into the woods to find Smithy Beck Falls.

We'll enjoy the view without the rush.

That's better . . . Smithy Beck Falls.

We follow the track back down the valley towards Bowness Knott.

Fallen trees from past storms are starting to blend into the forest floor.

Another mark, hidden on the way up the valley, but clear enough now as we regain the lake.

The lack of sunshine has not done anything for the mountains.

Both Pillar and Steeple look many degrees colder

. . . and so we return along the lake shore, turning occasionally to make sure we've not has the return of some sun.

That inlet is still offering reflections . . . but they are virtually mono-chrome.

Hold your cursor over the picture to see the fine line between 'black and white' and this colour.

The sun has definitely said goodnight to the valley floor.

Perhaps we may get a little as we drive home ?

- - - o o o - - -

Suddenly as we climb out of the valley towards Felldyke . . . someone turned the light on !

An ultra-bright west-coast sunset hits the scene.

Beyond Cauda Brow the sunshine lights up Knock Murton.

Over the brow a blaze of colour and even a faint rainbow away to the right.

The  reason . . . that west coast sunset.

Bright sun on Lamplugh Church.

As we drive down the other side to Fangs Brow the emphasis of the colours change.

The sky is turning pink . . . will it hold for a photo down by the lake ?

First chance . . . get the first shot in the bag.

Where the road dips to the side of the lake photography is easier.