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Friday 26th was a mixed sort of day weather wise.

Overnight rain had left snow on the tops but the sun was trying to show its face.

Spring has sprung but don't forget your raincoat as they say . . . however today you could get away with just a warm windproof layer.

Overcast but occasional sun as I look up the valley.

There are only one or two "working farm houses" in the immediate vicinity of this part of Loweswater.

As a result of amalgamation of farming units, the central hub of many of these farms are away from the fields nearest to us.

Consequently we get to see few lambs actually being born, as the farmers prefer the sheep to give birth close to their homes,

delivering them out to new grass once they are a few days old.  Such was the case today.

Suddenly the field opposite the cottage is bouncing with young lambs, where for a week or so there had been nothing.

The mum on the right is a classic Swaledale but the other's colouration could imply a cross breed.

Still, they are all making good mums.

Glimpsed through the hedge . . . two contented lambs.

If you go down to the woods today . . .

. . . you'll find the river up slightly due to the rain, but still within its normal height range.

The swimming pool has a good central current which carried Dougal's stick away faster than he anticipated.

Still, you can't often outfox this stalwart stick chaser.

" I can also run faster without all this water in my fur ! "

A line across the river is the standing wave on a small weir.

Closer up the texture of the water seems to alter as it flows over the slight obstruction.

In the woods alongside the weir the National Trust have, in recent years, cleared undergrowth to allow light into the woodland floor (on the right).

This month they seem to have cut back many of the younger saplings on the left, and scattered them on the floor to rot down and improve the soil.

However they seem to have had a deliberate policy of blocking the footpath that passes close to the old weir by laying the branches over the walkway. 

To get the previous, close pictures of the weir I needed to step more carefully than in previous visits, then backtrack to the main path.

Once out of the trees and on the edge of Crummock Water the wind is a lot stronger.

The small wind-blown waves are breaking over the weir, cascading down the bobbles of the eel matting as foamy lines.

At first glance I thought that was a seal basking on the shingle beach . . . but he would be a long way from salt water !

The wind is whipping up the surface of the lake as it is funneled down the length of the lake.

The white horses splash against the wall that protects the footpath.

I needed to time my walk along the next section so as not to get wet walking past the tree.

A period of more sustained sunshine illuminated the fells nicely and emphasises the slight snow covering on the summits.

This line of stones might not even have been a wall at all, more a thrown collection of rock when someone was clearing a field ?

That's Loweswater Church in the distance, with Carling Knott behind.

Close to home now as we approach Gillerthwaite, now re-named "The old Post Office".

- - - o o o - - -   The chain saw sculpture tries to reflect the postal connection. It is supposed to be a red postbox and Postman Pat's van. ( It looks more authentic from the other side.) It will need cleaning of fungus and a re-paint soon.     On the other side of the track a lovely bunch of daffodils have grown up, through the remains of last year's geranium bush. Nature making best use of space by growing different seasonal flower on the same patch of ground.   - - - o o o - - -