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It has been a grand day . . . to be indoors . . . but the dogs need a walk.

If I'm right, the weather seems to be easing as the afternoon progresses, I might be lucky. 

This walk down by the  River Cocker is always good, but is even better when you are after a bit of shelter.

Mmmm . . . a morning picture with the wintery weather evident from the snow on Carling Knott.

There's snow on the high fells but down here it is just downright unpleasant.

It's raining and about 2 degrees above zero.

The sheep have the good sense to shelter from the worst of the weather next to the wall.

Still by mid-afternoon it was showing signs of improving . . . so time for a walk for myself and the dogs.

A quick stop by the signpost to show you the weather down here and up there.

Not good building weather for the builders who are renovating Hunter Davies's old house.

- - - o o o - - -

The walk started from the car park next to Scale Bridge.

The weir shows quite a low water level as much of the precipitation is still held on the high fells as snow cover.

We three musketeers venture out along the forest track towards the lake.

There are signs of brightness in the woods . . . at least it is not raining.

This is a mixed woodland but ahead is a nice stand of beech trees close to the track.

Everything seems grey and only the evergreens give any colour . . . we'll welcome the arrival of Spring when it comes.

Dylan climbs on a stack of matured cut timber.

It has been there so long it is starting to go rotten and is of no commercial use any more . . . however the moss and the bugs love it.

The weir opposite Muncaster House is of little practical flow-measuring value now

as the last part of the lintel on the far side has been knocked away by floating debris.

Clearing in recent years has allowed light into the woods and the forest floor has started to green up.

I'm a little worried that all that brash on the right will float away and block something if we have another major flood.

The riverside track continues on and leads out to the lake next to the main weir and the bridges.

Yes, that's a bridge Dylan . . . but not for us to use today.

Harry can't decide whether to sit or stand for this photo of the two of them.

Behind is the snowy High Stile Ridge, still topped in cloud.

A wider angle shot to include the fine Scots Pine by the lakeside.

Time to be heading back . . . passing some long-fallen birch as we walk the track back towards the car park.

There's a blue rope for swinging into the big pool . . . but the water doesn't look remotely appealing today.

This is where we came in . . . the measuring house for the weir down at the car park.

Full marks to the weather . . . it may be cold and damp (my watch showed just 5 degrees) but thankfully it stayed dry for our walk.

- - - o o o - - -

With the improvement in the weather the sheep are on the move again . . . time for them to find something to eat.

These two have escaped from a field somewhere and are grazing on the inside verge of a blind bend !

Better get out and encourage them back into the field before I hang up my nice warm winter jacket.