Loweswatercam is on holiday for a few days and we find ourselves in Suffolk, visiting family. It's Matthew's birthday and what better reason do we need to join Cathy, Richard and the grandsons for few days at the coast.

A working day for me and a busy day for Ann, so we just manage an evening walk tonight. After a day which brought four inches of rain to the valley, we thought a trip to see the local waterfall would be a good idea.

"Crufts on Tour" today as we are out-numbered by our canine friends. An interesting ascent of Dale Head is on the cards as John leads us up a direct climb of the northern face of the mountain. Let's hope the rain keeps off today.

A late start due to inclement weather and a delightful cuppa at Jo's, finds us across the water in Bannerdale. Jo, We set off to climb Beda Head and the ridge to Beda Fell and beyond. What we achieve will be rather weather dependant.

We're out this afternoon with friends Dee and John, climbing Latrigg to see the classic view over Keswick, then walk the ridge and return via the old Keswick railway track. A shorter walk but with a real variety of views.

It was a beautiful day and Jayne joined us for a walk around the base of Mellbreak. At the far end is Scale Force, the highest falls in the Lakes which was a great place for lunch . . . and Ling Crag, a great place for a rather cold swim !

Walking with friends made through Loweswatercam and the OFC, we traverse the ridge from Honister Mines and Dale Head down to the tearooms at Syke Farm, Buttermere. A great walk and chance to get to know new friends.

I'm on the Safety Crew once again on Scafell Pike for a 3 Peaks event, only today the weather was not so kind. An early start and a climb into the clouds as 16 teams attempt to climb the three highest peaks of mainland UK in 24 hrs.

Ann stayed back to look after Harry who had strained a muscle in the garden recently and was confined to "rest and recuperation". I accepted a lift from Ian and we met up with Jill, Nigel and Richard for a walk in the northern fells.

A few family photos of our breakfast barbecue, then an evening stroll once the family had left . . . the sunny evening contrasting with the stormy weather earlier in the week. Jo joined us after breakfast and stayed on for the walk.

A better day and chance for us to climb up onto the High Stile Ridge as requested by the boys. An extended walk around to Scale Force means we don't do the full ridge, but it was still a good walk.

Not good weather for being out on the fells so we opt for a linear walk much lower down near the lake shore. Chance to take the boys on the steamer and combine it with a good walk back to Patterdale.

It's been pouring with rain all day so this is an ideal time for Sam, Thomas and I to check out the new James Bond Museum in Keswick. In the evening the sun came out so we took the dogs down to the lake for a walk.

We are entertaining two of our grandsons for a few days so meet our daughter Paula at our friend Liz's home in Silsden. While we are there we went for a walk above Skipton with Liz, Barrie and Hollie, Liz's granddaughter.

Every once in a while someone organises an OFC outing and whoever's about joins the walk and the numbers grow. It's always a very sociable occasion and today's walk is no exception.

A day out in the south western fells as a result of an invite from Sean and Connie. It just happened to coincide with the arrival of their new puppy Dougal !

David Hall's site was the inspiration for one . . . as we chose a short walk on a busy day and end up searching for a bridge. It's surprising what you find tucked around the back of these little moorland hills.

David, a Yorkshireman by birth, is over from America on holiday and joins Ann for a last walk before returning to his family and home in the States. He chooses Fellbarrow and Low Fell after reading about them in the Wainwright books.

I was out in support of a Six Peaks Challenge event, assisting the participants walking up to Scafell Pike, the highest of the English Peaks. They were walking the six highest UK and Irish hills, including Snaefell on the Isle of Man and the highest two Irish Peaks, Carrantuohill and Slieve Donard.

Four go to Langstrath 'cause it's too hot to climb the high fells. Bournmouth bathers go down to the beach, we go up to Black Moss Pot for a swim in the river where we know there's an attractive pool.

Mid-summer heat is still with us but disguised by a partially cloudy sky, but those clouds are thundery and we get damp from sweat to start and wet from rain to end. Still, it's a hot day and we don't care.

Mid-summer heat is tempered by overcast skies so we plan a walk out to Kirk Fell which Jo has wanted to climb for some time. Our return route was not decided until we reached our target and started down.

Today we are well and truly into the fine weather and Ann and I set off round the coast to Wasdale. Today I'm helping supervise a 3 peaks charity event. raising money for the Railway Children Charity.

A settled period of weather encourages us to chase the evening sun to the west coast of Cumbria, but we stop short before we fall over the edge !

A hot day was forecasted and they were right. Occasional high clouds hid the sun and dropped the temperature as they passed overhead, but not for long. The dogs needed a walk with a chance to cool off . . . so did I.

A beautiful day and chance for a walk to a local viewpoint and beauty spot known as Castle Head. I'm in work today so it's a brief walk during a late lunch.

Jeff and Rachel are still in the Lakes so we join them on a walk around the Whinlatter fells. We are also joined by Joan from Loweswater and David McNaughton from the States, on this blustery walk over the exposed tops.

Another sunny Sunday and a medium size walk required. The feature of this one would be the heat and the lack of water along the way, so an extra water bottle in a pocket makes the pack just a little heavier than normal.

It's the weekend again and we stay in Loweswater rather than travel longer distances. Even so we find a summit to climb that we haven't visited before. Flouten Pass, Flouten Cop, Floutern Tarn . . . time just Flou.

Richard has organised a walk in Swaledale and invited members of the OFC to join him. The meadows are full of early summer flowers and they are reaching their prime so a second good reason to travel east a little bit further.

On the fells again today, but an early start was required as I was marshalling on a 3 Peaks event. A quiet 4.30 am start was needed to climb Grains Gill, so that we could be in place for the teams who would start anytime after 5 am.

A Mini-OFC meet today but not over organised as the route was very much play-it-by-ear. We started by climbing Seat Sandal then went on to extend the walk in the beautiful sunshine.

Our daughter and grand daughter came over to visit for a few days and we took the opportunity to visit the lake. The evening before we had also entertained Helmut who had stayed overnight at the end of his Lakes holiday.

From the ridiculous to the sublime, from the hustle and bustle of a tourist town at lunchtime to the peace and tranquility of the Ennerdale Valley the same evening . The weather was too hot for the shop but ideal for the evening.

Once a year the group organise a day out which usually involves a farm visit, a bus trip, a meal out and a few beers !! This year the trip included a tour of a Waste Recycling Factory and a visit to an Organic Farm near Brampton.

It's May and we've booked a few days at a cliff-top hotel overlooking the blue waters of St Brides Bay. Chance to re-visit West Wales and to see friends and family in Swansea as part of the same holiday.

Another wet day clears towards the end of the afternoon as forecast and as Jo was with us we returned to Rannerdale to see the bluebells again.

A wet day clears towards the end of the afternoon and it's time to give the dogs a walk. My local walk down by the lake was extended to include the waterfalls of Gasgale Gill to see how the overnight rain has swollen the beck.

It's been a busy afternoon and the dogs have not been out for a walk so Ann dropped me at the other end of the lake in order that I could do a linear walk back to the house via Loweswater ... the lake that is, not the village.

Neil was having a wet day in Ambleside so he travelled over to Loweswater to have lunch and watch the rain falling here too. However, just as forecasted, the weather cleared and we had a beautifully sunny end to the afternoon.

It's Sunday in Loweswater . . . and the dogs needed a walk. After a busy morning, the view from our window as we ate lunch drew our attention to the alluring ridge of Low Fell. We haven't walked up there for a while . . . .

It's Saturday in Keswick . . . and it's Market Day. For me, it's a work day but everyone is allowed time off for good behaviour. I need a few items from town, and what more picturesque shopping than Keswick on a busy weekend.

This was the end of Jo's Easter week in the Lakes and she needed a walk before hitting the road to home. The weather was still superb and the air was perhaps a little clearer. With two cars available we saved a few road miles walking too.

The sunny but hazy weather continues giving all the Easter visitors a treat . . . . . Us regulars (as we could be described) needed a walk that was within shouting distance of John's house today. Raven Crag seemed like a good bet .

Fine, dry weather is not always brilliant for walking, especially on days like today when there is a cool easterly breeze and a thick haze developing. Still with good company and plenty of local views to see, the walk is still enjoyable.

As a surprise Anniversary present for Ann after our thirty years together . . . . Well what do you give a girl that has achieved her ambitions of four children, two retriever dogs and a home in the Lakes ? . . . It's got to be something a bit different . . . and something a bit special !

To escape from the crowds we headed for the fells to the north of Skiddaw. These are wide open grassy fells with extensive walking and are a delight on a beautiful Easter Sunday day like today. Will we meet anyone in this quiet area ?

Cathy and the family are off home tonight , hoping that the motorway may be clearer later in the evening. A short walk was the order of the day, to enjoy the fine weather, to exercise the dogs and for that matter, exercise the boys !

Just a short walk today as the weather wasn't as good as the last few days. A quick visit to friends James and Claire and family in Thirlmere Green and then on to High Rigg for picnic lunch on the top !

With our daughter and all her four children staying over the weekend a smaller walk is required as the youngest set of legs are just four years old. These two fells are reasonably level and close once the initial climb is over.

Our grandsons are staying with us for a few days and they wanted to climb Scafell Pike. Today was the day. The forecast was good, the weather matched it, so we met John at 10am to start a classic walk up England's highest peak.

Our grandsons are staying with us for a few days and want to climb Scafell Pike. The weather wasn't quite right and we didn't know how fit they were so we decided to delay that a day or so and climb Blencathra today.

Those from away needed a shorter walk before setting off home but it was too good to miss out on a high level excursion. Honister gives god access to the high fells and it is twenty minutes closer to Keswick when people leave afterwards.

A fine day for a fine walk up Mellbreak to celebrate the completion of Ed's first Wainwright Round. He chose this as his 214th fell as it was a stand alone fell, a great climb and has a fine pub at the end to relax and celebrate. Good choice !

A staff training day in the shop today and the trade rep from Suunto was in to introduce new people, and refresh us oldies, in the finer points of the Suunto Wrist Computer range. The best way to test them is to go out for a walk.

This petition is aimed at ensuring the mountain rescue service is exempt from VAT on all of their equipment and spending, as they provide a service that would otherwise be very costly to the Government. This service should mirror the Lifeboat service and other voluntary services.

Today James was over from his Yorkshire base and wanting a shorter walk due to having to get back later, but still wanted a descent walk in order to justify the time spent in traffic and travel. Two north-western fells were today's choice.

Two walks, on either side of Crummock water on subsequent days, serves to highlight the ever changing weather in the Lakes. Day one was sunshine and blue skies, day two the high pressure had kicked in and a deep hazy filled the valley.

Chance for one last walk before everyone has to return home after their week's holiday. We were joined today by John and climbed Souther Fell from the south. An unusual descent allows a shorter return alongside the Glenderamackin.

Jill is with us this weekend and only has four fells to go before the magic 214. Green Crag was one of them so the six of us set off for Eskdale. A new fell for Sarah and Neil's first, Jo's second and our third round. Something for everyone.

We met up with Bill, Sherran, Angie and Jill who were staying at Troutbeck near Great Mell Fell. However we decided that the Howtown fells would be a good choice today as there were a little less exposed to today's potentially high winds.

After the brief interval of sunshine and snowy weather it's back to wet and windy again as Gary and Sheena join us for a walk up Hen Comb. This is the first time they have ventured into the fells on this side of the valley.

The snow is still about, even after two days of work. Essential jobs done, I manage a walk on Melbreak using the dogs as an excuse for a trip out to see the view. They needed a walk. I needed the view.

The forecast was for a low pressure bringing overnight wind and rain. I thought the area forecasted to get snow was restricted to Scotland, so it was with a slight surprise that we awoke this morning to white hills, white fields and sunshine.

While Ann was volunteering her services for the "Riding for the Disabled" team at the Calvert Trust, I took the opportunity of a local walk in the Keswick area for a change. Chance to explore the valley of the River Greta.

A Saturday walk and it turned out to be a damp one. We rejected Mosses Trod and Kirk Fell in favour of a low level walk in Borrowdale. Kings How was our first objective and we'd see where we would go from there.

Dave and Josie are staying in Coniston so we arrange to meet halfway and walk in the Ennerdale area. We met at Bowness Knott car park, but in view of the low cloud we changed our plans and climb Crag Fell and Grike instead.

Jane, James and Matthew were in Loweswater this afternoon and fancied a walk out on the local fells. It was mid afternoon when they arrived so it was a prompt start to get up and back from Hen Comb before the light faded.

Following a visit to the Berrier Wind Farm Opposition Exhibition in Dockray we drive a short distance over to Little Mell Fell for a shorter walk at the end of the day. Sunshine and interesting skies abound.

Tuesday evening we had an invitation to the south west of the Lakes to present a cheque to the Duddon and Furness MRT. They provide rescue cover in the western Lakes, south of Wasdale Valley and west of the Coniston Team area.

Tuesday morning Simon and Beth were visiting and a local walk was on the cards. The cloud was down and so a low level outing was the order of the day. Rannerdale would be suitable for us, for Beth and for the dogs.

The forecast was for low cloud and mist, clearing towards midday. We delayed the start and enjoyed the better weather as expected. The better weather added other benefits too and our group increased to six by the end.

A high level climb was changed to this delightful lower level walk in view of recent snow. Dull photographic light and damp ground did nothing to spoil the good company and extensive chat of our group of thirteen today.

Knock Murton is one of the western outlying fells that is perched outside the main body of the Loweswater Group. Access is easy and a fine afternoon is all you need to enjoy this jewel of the west coast.

The sun shone after lunch as the clouds rolled away so we chose another walk at the head of the Buttermere valley to give us views of the high fells which are holding their ice and snow covering rather nicely.

The forecast was for a good day so we climb Lonscale and Skiddaw Little Man. Despite the sunshine, the high winds made it really cold on the exposed slopes so we make sure were back down before the heat of the sun was lost.

After a busy and rather dull morning weather-wise the prospects were better for a high level late afternoon walk. Knott Rigg with it's high start would make it ideal place to manage a good walk before the light faded.

After the cold damp days when the snow fell, there's a change today as the sun is shines brightly for most of the day. The late afternoon sun goes on to add colour to the wintery scene.

While London and the South East woke to the heaviest snow for twenty years we received just a basic covering here in the valley. However there's enough snow to cover the roads and turn all the fells white again.

We weren't supposed to get snow this time round but yesterdays grey skies and biting east wind gave us a clue to today's white landscape. A few pictures of Loweswater on a snowy day.

Edmund is nearing the completion of his Wainwright 214 and was walking the Loweswater Fells today. Following slight confusion, we meet up with him on Blake and complete the rest of the walk in his company.

The forecast was for a fine day especially on the eastern side of the Lakes, but very windy at the same time, so we opted to climb Sheffield Pike as it was not too high. Sarah joined us again on this delightful climb.

A cloudy dawn but brightness in the sky means only one thing . . . there's a cloud inversion in the valley. It clears fast but returns after lunch as a coastal breeze pushes in the sea fret from the Solway.

A bright and cheerful dawn but the weather deteriorated and by the time we got out for a walk it was decidedly grey again. Still ... lots of jobs done during the day and a fine little walk achieved at the end of it.

It's been a better sort of day in that it hasn't rained or snowed and the cloud is not down on the fells as yesterday. We take the opportunity and chance a walk up on Dale Head, hoping for a view from the top.

A simple dog walk in poor weather suddenly turns into an interesting walk when you are joined by another participant. This time it was a swan and our only regret is we didn't have any "swan food".

Overnight snow on the high fells has been added to today by a low level fall which left the valley white for a short while. Squirrel life must go on and it's time for a late breakfast.

The Weather forecast predicted 70 to 80 mph winds after dark, so Jo, John, Ann and myself made sure we planned a walk with sufficient time at the end to avoid the rain. Devoke Water was a first for John and Jo.

A flat sort of day with an impending sense of gloom in the weather forecast. Still the dogs need a walk and we need a walk and it's promised not to rain for the next couple of hours, so we pick a Barrow as it's a great local walk.

Temperatures are easing and fine weather is predicted for more eastern fells. We collect Jayne and meet up with John for an interesting walk. Two new summits for Jayne too as she enjoys her first fell walk for a while.

The cold spell continues and we get chance to get out again. Where to go ? Derwent Water has some ice so we went high to look down on it.

A late start due to pleasant New Year's socialising the night before but we still have time for an excellent five hour high level walk from the morning inversion to the early dusk of a fine January day.

Winter temperature inversions in mountainous areas like the Lakes are a wonderful sight. Today we were treated to one here in the Loweswater area but it's not always obvious what is happening from below.