What do you do on a wet and windy Christmas Day ... Gareth and Kathryn were up in Loweswater and we had a very leisurely time with a short and blustery dog walk between our light lunch and large Christmas supper.

Christmas is a time for festivities and traditions, for mince pies and hot mulled wine. The run up to Christmas in Loweswater this year has rather nicely followed normal traditions ... apart from the appalling weather !

A day like this makes up for most of the poor weather that we have had to put up with recently. This morning Paula, Al and family have a glorious, local late morning walk before they have to leave for home.

Family festivities get under way with a visit by our daughter and her family to Loweswater. A trip to Keswick is planned but last year the lake was frozen over. Would Santa manage to sail into the boat landings today ?

Since we've been back the weather has been ... well ... less than desirable. Today I took the camera when I walked the dogs locally and it was still in the car the following day when we drove to Penrith to the printers.

Busy though we are after our holidays, we haven't forgotten the beauty of the Lakes and Saturday brings the 'A Team' together again. The weather is a little less than perfect so we opt for a walk round Buttermere.

At last we've managed to save enough pennies for a long haul flight to distant lands, this time half way round the world to the antipodean islands of New Zealand. First a 30 hour stop over in Singapore to begin the holiday.

The weather is not so good today but we get out anyway, choosing a northern fell to avoid the worst of any rain. A poor start improves over lunchtime and by the end we are walking in sunshine up the Glendermackin Valley.

A busy time at home but Jo us up for the weekend and makes sure we get out for a walk. After a simple lunch we venture out to enjoy the afternoon sun and afterwards use her car to retrieve mine after this delightful linear walk.

Time for an afternoon walk and a friend joins us for a local outing on a favourite fell. Maggie hasn't walked Rannerdale for a while and neither have we. The last time here was in August when we returned to the car a different way.

Jill and Nigel are up this week and determined to beat the weather which has moved from heat wave to cold north westerly gales just as they arrive for their hols. The forecast is for a showery morning,but very wet and windy afternoon.

The Indian summer continues, which is most remarkable after what has been a cool and wet summer here in the Lakes. Today we see Autumn colours on our walk despite the warm summer-like temperatures.

Suddenly the wind changed and the temperature has jumped ten degrees. The continental blocking high pressure has forced the bad weather away into the Atlantic and for our walk we reach for shorts and t-shirts once again.

The second visit to Borrowdale for a Challenge in seven days. The forecast was better this time as it was for blustery showers and very high winds instead of the left over Hurricane ... what's the difference I wonder ?

Harry, has been absent from the fells for a short while. He tweaked his knee ligament in mid-August and so has been enjoying flatter walks of late. Today was a chance to let him have a gentle, more grassy fell walk.

On the weekend of Hurricane Katia, or what remained of it, blasted through Cumbria a group of about sixty folk were trying to walk the Three Peaks, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon. I had been asked to help as safety crew.

Our daughter and three of her friends were up for the weekend and after spending a morning watching the rain flying horizontally passed the window we decided the weather was clearing as forecasted so we made for the hills.

The first Sunday in September is the date of the local agricultural show. A classic local event with animal judging, main ring events, fell running, Cumberland Wrestling and the industries of local folk all on display.

When visitors call they often want to climb something local but that's no problem for us as they are all great local walks. Climbing the same fell gives me the opportunity to change the route and search for new pictures.

The sunshine, the flowers and the boats on the Orwell River estuary make a fine combination for a local walk. We celebrate a birthday and then travel home on a rather grey morning.

The classic English Landscape artist was John Constable who was born and brought up in East Bergholt, Flatford and Dedham Vale. We drive a short distance across from Pin Mill to enjoy this iconic landscape.

A quick away-break to Suffolk, calling in on friends and our youngest daughter along the way. Short works and low hills of Eastern England rather than the high fells of Lakeland, but hopefully interesting nevertheless.

Another shorter walk in view of the weather. We meet up in the Southern Lakes, after fighting the Ambleside traffic, and start and end our walk in the delightful old village of Troutbeck.

A Low Fell walk again (you don't have one for ages then two come along in close succession) but very different weather this time as Neil and I take the dogs for a fast stroll across the tops in what was quite poor weather.

A poor weather day but with the prospect of brightening later. Calculating how much time was available, we find we can fit in a short walk with Dee and John along the delightful Langstrath Valley.

A neighbour asked if I would like a greenhouse. He was going to knock his down as he didn't use it and it was monopolising the space next to his back door. It was a lovely wooden design and he would be delighted if I could give it a new lease of life.

Another local favourite on an afternoon that promised good weather but started off with rain. Dee and John are up for a few week and wanted a good walk but one that was not to long for their dog Amber.

A fell that we look on every day, but as it turns out we haven't climbed it for ages. After a busy morning at home we get chance to escape to the fells at about 4-ish for a late afternoon / early evening walk.

Following a successful Lorton Flower Festival in May this year the families and gardeners of the village have pulled the stops out again and organised a Garden Trail which was open to the public on Sunday 24th July.

A surprise meeting with Keith meant that we were five for today's outing. We haven't been to Tarn Crag and Blea Rigg for quite a while so it was a welcome return to Easedale, even if the weather wasn't brilliant.

A thespian adventure is planned for tonight so a shorter walk is required. Jo said she missed out on Dale Head Tarn on our High Spy walk so this was a chance to visit it in a shorter round including Dale Head itself.

There we were, sitting quietly minding our own business. It had been raining hard at times during the day as the forecasted poorer weather had arrived on schedule last evening. Suddenly Ann looked out of the window . . .

Today we're in the south western part of the Lakes near Ravenglass and Maggie and Ian join us for a walk. Maggie wanted to see Devoke Water and Ian, Rowan Tree Falls, so we created a linear walk to please everyone.

A beautiful afternoon and chance to wonder peacefully alongside Crummock Water on a low level walk to Low Ling Crag. The crag is joined to the shore by a curved gravel beach, known in geographical terms as an isthmus.

A walk that Ann, John and Jo did back in 2008 but I missed out on. I thought I hadn't done it but looking back through the paper archives Ann remembered we did it with the children in 1988. Time to get re-acquainted.

It has been a lovely spell of fine weather, better than forecast, so we take the car a short distance to the Hopegill Valley which sits on the northern side of Hopegill Head. Adding a minor summit adds to the enjoyment of the walk.

With friends over, we are a party of five as we set off to climb one of our local fells that Lin and Chris have chosen. On the top Neil fancies bagging the next one along too before we all meet back at the Kirkstile.

The weather turned fine in the afternoon but didn't promise to stay that way for ever, so we drove up to Buttermere to enjoy a walk around the lake while the summer sun was high in the sky.

After lunch at Arnside we motored on north and then enjoyed a delightful walk on Scout Scar near Kendal. This is limestone country and totally different from the high fells on Cumbria just a short way north.

A trip to Lancaster allows us a leisurely drive back up the coast to Arnside including a long awaited visit to Morecambe seafront which has been revitalised with many beautiful artwork features.

An early start to get down to Coniston to help out on a Multi Activity Challenge raising money for VSO. Today I was radio relay and had to sit on Carron Crag all day. Sounds easy ... in practice not quite so !

It was a Friday and a busy morning and poor weather kept us at home. Later in the day Jo travelled over from Yorkshire for the weekend and picked up John on the way over for a Newlands walk. We left the dry weather of Loweswater and joined them for the walk up Knott Rigg and Ard Crags.

Geocaching, in case you didn't know, is the art of treasure hunting using a Gps. Originally a kids game, fast becoming an outdoor pursuit in its own right, we take to the radio waves to find a series of treasures in Great Wood.

An afternoon walk up Barrow gives Ann a first Wainwright fell after her recent minor knee op and Ian a first Wainwright fell on his third round having completed his 428 in Blencathra recently.

On possibly the best weather day of the week all the grandchildren wanted to climb a mountain and in particular Mellbreak which looks down on our cottage. Lunch over, we set off up the steep north face of the fell.

Today, while Ann and Jenna took the younger children to Eskdale and rode on La'al Ratty, Cathy and Paula took the older boys for a walk up onto the high fells. The weather wasn't quite so sunny but it was still relatively kind.

Chance for Ann and Jenna to take the two youngest over to Eskdale for a ride on La'al Ratty, the narrow gauge railway that joins Ravenglass to Boot Village. Sunshine all the way for this lovely little train ride.

Another wet morning which cleared beautifully to warm sunshine. I took the older boys and Jenna to Bass Lake and Ann took the younger kids and Catherine to Harry's pool in the Mosedale Valley here in Loweswater.

Not a walk this time, more an event, as the family organise a barbecue for my big-60 birthday. They wanted a summer family get together to meet up and celebrate so it's now up to the weather to do the honours and stop raining !

Whitsun Weekend and our family descend on Loweswater for a barbecue to celebrate my 60th birthday. Today a damp walk to the lake. I hope the weather improves as we have sixty for lunch tomorrow.

The theoretical sunshine of May has become confused with the traditional showers of April and after our early summer last month we're now back to poor weather ... not that it stops the squirrels ... they still have to eat after all.

Loweswatercam viewer Trevor from Wales was up in the Lakes and was planning a walk up one of our local fells with "the boys" today. Which fell ? There's a two out of three chance of getting it right by looking at the beer pumps which we employed to good effect on our return.

A trip down to Preston on Friday left me with a few hours spare, so a quick look at the map found somewhere to enjoyable to walk the dogs.

Angie and Maureen are in the Lakes this week. Angie is in summit seeking mood . . . but Maureen doesn't want to be left behind as we attempt the mighty Mungrisdale Common.

Rannerdale is great but there are other areas where the blue carpet is rolled out for the those that seek them out. Ann takes our retrievers on a local walk to the quiet side of Lanthwaite Hill to see this year's display.

At the time of the Easter visit, the bluebells were just starting to show so after a bit of rain and a few weeks to grow we take a return trip to see them. No sharp edges, no balloons or boat trips but there is a train involved today.

It was ten years ago that Foot and Mouth struck the country and one chap in London was getting withdrawal symptoms from not being able to walk the fells. Today we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the OFC group he set up.

Chance to ascend high above the fells as Ann and I celebrate my birthday, courtesy of tickets provided by the children. South Cumbria is seen as never before as we climb aboard a hot air balloon and take to the skies.

Beautiful sunshine and chance to climb Sharp Edge in perfect conditions. We combine this tricky ascent with two other climbs on our walk up Blencathra today. It felt like we spent the whole day scrambling over rock.

We're in the middle of an unseasonably hot and sunny spell of weather, just right for any Easter visitors. Today, Jo and ourselves go in search of two more AW summits we haven't walked for a while and stop to savour the sun.

It is over three and a half years since we walked to Great Crag from Watendlath. I don't know who was more surprised, Ann or myself ! Today we only have one of that 2007 group with us rather than all six.

A fabulous Easter Sunday morning and I drive over to Rannerdale to check out the valley and the famous bluebells before the crowds descend on the tourist hotspot. We venture up a little higher than normal for a better view.

A collection of shorter walks as Ann and I take the dogs out in the fine weather. No big walks due to me being at work or lack of time due to household activities (already mentioned yesterday).

A neighbour asked if I would like a greenhouse. He was going to knock his down as he didn't use it and it was monopolising the space next to his back door. It was a lovely wooden design and he would be delighted if I could give it a new lease of life.

A short walk was all that was needed today because it had been a busy morning. Sale Fell seemed a good idea but we chose an unusual approach through the Wythop Woods. We parked at Routenbeck at the start of the path.

Dave and Josie are on holiday in Nether Wasdale so they invited us over to walk a fell or two near them. A poor morning forecast allowed us to enjoy a sociable coffee and gave the weather plenty of time to clear.

Joined by Ian and Jo we set off east, in fact to the far eastern fells, off to the right hand side of Ullswater when looking at the map the right way up. Great weather, great company and great walking on this lovely spring day.

A cheque to present on behalf of the OFC and then a walk on Walla Crag to round the afternoon off. We tried to cut the walk a little shorter, but the going gets steep before we make our way successfully back to the car.

After a few days and nights of mild, wet and windy weather, when it was too warm to sleep with the windows closed and too noisy to sleep with them open, the afternoon sun burst forth and the air was as clear as could be ...

It's a work day again but this time I'm taking my outdoor gear, for this afternoon Fishers have organised a training walk to learn all about Lowe Alpine Rucksacks that now feature on the first floor of the Keswick shop.

When you go for a fell walk and recognise many of the people you meet then it feels like a small world. This sunny sunday afternoon walk find Ann, Jo and John on Hen Comb, bumping into lots of people on the way.

Sherran and Bill were to join us on this outing on the Back o'Skidaw fells but a last minute decision saw just five of us out for this walk. Still it was 'dinner for seven' by the end of the day after we enjoyed the late March sunshine.

The sunny weather has reached us here in the Lakes and friends are up with their caravan and enjoying it to the full. They drive over to us today and we explore the Loweswater Fells, but from the western side for a change.

An all too brief stop in Swansea then it's pack our bags and off to Camberley to stay with our daughter at Sandhurst. A quick tip to Peterborough and back, as you do, and then the grey nomads return home after a quick week away.

On the Sunday the day dawned bright and clear so after a liesurely breakfast we drive down to Gower and had a walk through the woods to Oxwich Bay. Plenty to see on this sociable, Sunday lunchtime trip to the beach.

An invitation to help marshall a fund-raising event, this time in Wales, sees us driving down to the Brecon Beacons. I dropped Ann in Swansea and returned to Llwyn y Celyn Youth Hostel, HQ for the event the following day.

Sunday Jo and myself (Ann) are joined by John and Ian for a walk on the western edge of the Lakes. Grike and Crag Fell are the two summits that are south of Ennerdale Lake and they are enjoying the sun in a big way today.

Two fells down in the Ambleside area of the Lakes are suggested for today's walk. Troutbeck Tongue and Wansfell Pike. They are adjacent fells and neither are very big, but several factors conspired against us doing both.

Ok . . . I've a few days off work and the weather has taken a dive . . . low cloud and poor viz . . . but Richard is up and wants to climb the local fells so we set off in search of his final summit in the Wainwright NW Fells book.

After a bright dawn the morning clouded over, but it showed signs of clearing in the afternoon as forecasted so we packed a small bag, put the dogs in the car and took the opportunity to go for a walk in Patterdale.

Jo is over for the weekend and in view of the poorer conditions we opt for the lowest of the Wainwright Fells. Castle Crag is a delight in any weather and today we climb it from Grange walking by the river on our return.

The Tethera Players are waiting in the wings to entertain you ... Tethera, three in Cumbrian, relates to the three valleys of Loweswater, Lorton and Buttermere and it's all local actors on stage in this most comedic of plays.

Red sky at night delights the locals as well as the shepherds around here and after Ann's walk up Low Fell the evening of the 12th Feb produced a stunning close to the day. Ian was due over for a walk and the prospects were good for another fine afternoon out on the following Wednesday.

There have been some great days this last week and others have done nice walks while I stay in and watch them through Keswick windows. On my next day off it's raining and cold which brings a touch of winter home again.

After a morning in the Hall it was time to get the dogs out for a walk in the afternoon. I took a round about route to Loweswater Bothy via High Nook Farm and my camera (not me) took a dip in the river !

Having built the basic set we have to take it apart again and transport it all to the Village Hall where it has to be reconstructed and got ready for the technical and dress rehearsals in two days time.

The morning started bright and sunny but some clouds rolled in. It brightened up again in the afternoon so I set out with Harry and Bethan to climb Low Fell, whose impressive ridge I gaze out at from my kitchen window.

A beautiful sunny day and chance to get out and give the dogs a walk on one of my favourite fells just a little further away from Loweswater.

The pre-amble to the village play, due to be performed by the Tethera Valley Players in the Loweswater Village Hall next week, the 17th - 19th Feb 2011. We gather the team to build the stage set prior to the big night.

A simple forest track took us up into the more remote areas of the Aiken Plantation behind Whinlatter Fell. Parking just before the gate on the Darling How track, we set off in search of peace and quiet.

This week the rain has been heavy and consistent. Sat. the becks and rivers were full to overflowing again but the sun did come out Monday and we enjoyed the first real sun for a week.

Following a morning working in the garden and a very pleasant lunch, it was time to get the dogs out for a walk. We needed to get to Butternmere at some point so a walk in that direction seemed a good idea.

After yesterday's fine weather we take a drive down the west coast and join with Ian for a walk in Wasdale. We often missed out Seatallan when climbing Buckbarrow so today was the day to put that to right. Pity about the weather !

An afternoon walk to catch the sunshine again. Being the northern side of Fellbarrow there was perhaps not as much on offer as Loweswater's Mosser Track but then there was quite sufficient around for a good walk.

A compendium of a few days in January where the fine weather gave lovely sunsets only to be followed by a few dull days with rain. The Lorton Bridge is officially open so I take the opportunity for a stroll around the village.

An afternoon dog walk turned into a walk up one of the local Wainwright tops. The river levels have returned to normal so the stepping stones were clear. What of the sunset that followed ... well see for yourself.

Another lovely blue sky afternoon again (these really are a lot nicer than the rainy ones). We drive a short distance to the top of Bass Lake and enjoy a circular walk around Sale Fell.

An afternoon walk again combining a less frequented fell with a visit to friends afterwards. After a morning at Theatre by the Lake we drive over to Thirlmere and climbed the diminutive but still respectable Great How.

The poor weather forecast has come true and it coincides with my turn to walk the dogs (!) A local outing to Crummock will suffice and if I'm to get wet then so might my camera.

The calm between two days of poor weather. As possible sunshine was forecast for today we spent the morning at home and then drove round the western side of Blake to catch the sun and a walk up an outlying fell.

A short Sunday walk and a slightly cold one too, but properly dressed we avoided the worst of the breeze and found conditions less icy than expected. This cold spell is not proving as severe as forecast.

A bit of a grey start to the day. Just before ten this morning the summit of Mellbreak did emerge from the gloom but it wasn't a great day to go up onto the fells . . . and there's so many other things to do.

With Roger in work today, Jo and I drive over to St Johns in the Vale and join with John on a circular walk across and around High Rigg.

A busy Christmas period and poor weather have meant few photographically interesting outings but we are back on the fells on a dry New Year's Day with Jo, Dee and John and our combined litter of five dogs.