The sun has been shining, we've had some recent rain and the bluebells in my garden have been in full bloom for a week or so.

Conditions should therefore be right to enjoy the display in the Rannerdale Valley once again this year.

Rannerdale Bluebells are unusual because the valley has no trees or shade,

environmental factors that are normally associated with this seasonal flower where it blooms further south in Britain.

We thought about driving part way to Rannerdale so as to save time and allow us to walk further into the valley where the flowers grow.

However a stranded lorry on the back of Scale Hill had other ideas, as it rather effectively blocked the main valley road.

It would mean quite a detour to reach the Buttermere Road

but why bother with the drive when with a little more effort we can just walk there !

My companion today is Loes.   She's quite happy to walk through Lanthwaite Woods, so we leave the car at home

and set off in search of the seasonal delights of our local area.

Down at lake level at the boathouse, part way along the lake.

All Dougal wanted to do was for us to throw sticks into the water . . . but we have a way to travel yet so try to save your energy lad !

Leaving the conifers of High Wood and we're back onto pasture land.

Ahead is Rannerdale Knotts, getting closer all the time.

We leave the lake shore at Cinderdale as the path emerges onto the road, close to the first of two Cinderdale car park.

- - - o o o - - -

A lot of folk take the track from here directly across to the Rannerdale Valley

but we'll defer in favour of the road walk so as to approach the floral area from the Hause Point direction. 

As we walked along the road there was a drumming noise like a rolling oil drum or a farm vehicle towing a trailer across rough ground.

However there was no sign of a vehicle crossing the field, so I looked over the wall where the sound was coming from.

It was a trailer-type noise, but the reason it was being made was because of three very lively lambs jumping on and off . . . an upturned metal trailer.

Looking over the wall on the other side of the road we can start to see the depth of colour in the bluebell fields.

It looks like we might be offered a good display this year.

Walking the track up towards the bluebells from the Hause Point car park.

Loes stops to talk to a couple who are relaxing after visiting the fields.

Temporary fencing once again protects the flowers from errant photographers, walkers and dogs in general.

The big Crab Apple tree is yet to reach full bloom.

Looking back down the path we had just walked up.

Too early yet for the bigger trees to sport their leafy canopy.

However the gorse is in full colour . . .	. . . as we cross the footbridge over Rannerdale Beck.

Each year this fallen log becomes a little more parched by the sun, contrasting nicely with the colour of the flowers.

Some lovely patches of colour spread across the slopes.

Time to walk up the beck a short way to appreciate the view from higher up.

The sunshine, which brings greater warmth to the south facing slopes, has made a real difference.

I used to think that sheep in the flowers would be detrimental to their growth and the display.

She assures me that they only eat the grass.

As the season and the years progress, the top fields of the valley seem to be growing more flowers

but we would need to get closer or higher to appreciate them to the full.

Mindful of the return walk we leave the sheep . . .	. . . and make our way back down to the footbridge.

the flowers are beautiful this year . . .

. . . especially in close up . . . can you spot the blue coloured fly ?

A green winged butterfly, or is that a moth ?

A more cream coloured moth settles on one of the flowers.

Loes settles on one of the stones whilst I've stopped to take photos.

We'll take the upper path back towards Cinderdale.	Looking towards Crummock Water.

Plenty of people out to enjoy the flowers today.

The May trees are not quite in bloom at the same time as the gorse this year, so no extra colour contrast.

A low-down view of Grasmoor.

I think this year the blossom are particularly good.

The colour often deepens as a brief shadow crosses the valley.

Looking back up the valley , now back in full sunlight.

Looking across to Rannerdale Knotts . . .	. . . and down across the fields of Rannerdale Farm.

Last one out . . . please shut the gate.

Outside the wall we climbed a short distance up the slope to appreciate the full view.

The wider picture encapsulating the whole of the valley

and the developing colour below the curved wall on Rannerdale Knotts.

As we were now higher up the fellside than the main track

we continued on the top fell path for our return walk rather than drop down to the lakeshore.

We found a reasonable path which took us all the way towards Lanthwaite.

A bold stonechat calls from the stems of new bracken . . .	. . . but doesn't stay long for a photo.

There are several mature trees . . .	. . . on the seemingly bare slopes of Grasmoor.

Near an L-shaped sheep shelter is a solitary holly.	Whiteside is the fell beyond.

 

I think that this holly should really be known as the 'Lanthwaite Holly'.

After all it is as 'individual' as the Mosedale one . . . but just doesn't have the recognition on the maps or in published literature.

We wait for a moment by the road before crossing.

I was standing up in the other photo but the photographer cut my head and shoulders out of the picture ;o)

The footpath from Lanthwaite Green Farm takes us across to the woodland

where we join the forest track towards home.

Back to the beech trees, now resplendent in full sunlight.

Surprisingly, recent high winds have left a small carpeting of broken green leaves on the woodland floor.

Back out on the main road.

The lorry that blocked the road for hours has been helped away and our world is back to normal once again.