25-28th December 2015 - Coffin Road with Tre & Jason

Two walks in this continuing poor weather but conditions ease as the poorest weather moves South for a while.  Tre and Jason are up on holiday and call over for a lower level walk around the Loweswater area.

24th December 2015 - Christmas Greetings - 2015

Now our phone and internet are working again . . . may we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous and dry New Year

6th December 2015 - The Calm after the Storm

Day two and the weather is almost apologetic in it's temerity.  An early drizzle gives way to sunshine as we try and fine a route out of Cumbria for our Scottish and Yorkshire visitors. The extent of yesterday's devastating floods becomes all to apparent, both on the ground and via the internet.

5th December 2015 - Storm Desmond hits Cumbria

There are storm warnings out today, 10-12 inches of rain and high winds.   As bad luck has it, they coincide with a working day for me in Keswick.  It is also a big day for the shop as we have a visiting celebrity leading a walk and giving a talk in the shop.  Best to try and get there if I can.

25th November 2015 - Holme Woods with Mary

A long-time website and OFC friend Mary is in the Lakes this weekend to see us and wishes to enjoy a local walk. Now the bracken has died back we could easily extend a High Nook walk back down through the woods.

21st November 2015 - Low Fell and the First Snow

The first snow of the winter fell last night and our daughter who is up with the grandchildren suggests a Low Fell walk.  With clear visibility and a little snow on the top, Low fell was a great place to be to get the views.

18th November 2015 - Vale of Lorton First Responders

The First Responder Network is a nationwide association of volunteers, who by living locally can respond quickly to life saving emergencies, often in rural areas where the ambulances are physically too far a way to attend as promptly as required. This was our 10th Anniversary diner.

15th November 2015 - Keswick and Heavy Rain

The forecast for Saturday night/Sunday morning was for heavy rain which coincides with a working day for me.  I drive to Keswick, always aware that it might be best to keep an escape route open for the return home.

8th November 2015 - Castle Crag for Remembrance

The rain that had been falling in Wales this morning was rapidly moving north on gale force winds and it was due to reach Cumbria mid-morning, about the time of the Acts of Remembrance in the towns and on the fells.

1st November 2015 - Vintage and Veterans

Another group of photos from the past week but now the weather has turned and heavy rain and flood forecasts are a concern. The rain doesn't stop the vintage cars though.  Ian and Nicky are up and fancy a walk too.

1st November 2015 - Autumn Mosser Road

The colours are turning beautifully to match the time of year, I hope they last and mature further but that's dependant on the approaching storms.  Ann and I take a local walk on the Sunday and she repeats it again the following day.

27th October 2015 - Eskdale and Stanley Gill Force

Gareth wanted to show Rhian La'al Ratti Railway and that would combine nicely with a walk up to Stanley Gill Force, the waterfall near the Dalegarth Station at the head of the line. Plenty to do and see on this day out in Eskdale.

24th - 26th October 2015 - Gareth and Rhian's Visit

Our son and his girlfriend are up in the Lakes and we enjoyed several local walks which took advantage of the weather windows and autumn colours. Three days, three local walks, three valleys, three different types of weather.

17th October 2015 - Mark's 214 on Fleetwith Pike

An invitation to join Mark and Gill to climb Fleetwith Pike, the culmination of five years of Mark's walking of the 214 Wainwright summits of the English Lake District. We head up to join them at Honister.

12th October 2015 - Martindale for the Deer Rut

Today we're in Martindale at the invitation of Trevor, Gill and Finlay of Borrowdale. They suggested driving over to Pooley Bridge and then down the other side of Ullswater to see and hopefully listen to the deer Rut.

10th October 2015 - The Wasdale Show

Today was the day of The Wasdale Show. It is one of the smaller yet classic agricultural shows of Cumbria and one that is full of character.  Jo and ourselves travelled down from Loweswater to enjoy the experience.

21st September 2015 - Our Beadnell Holiday

A return visit to the lovely seaside village of Beadnell and to the delightful, dog friendly Beach Court B&B with Russ and Carole. The forecast is for a fine, high pressure weather system, blue skies and sunshine !

 3. Dunstanburgh

4. Farne Islands

5. Beadnell & South

29th September 2015 - 4 Nights in Malham

After Beadnell we extended our holiday

by adding on four nights at Malham Cove in Yorkshire.

 2. Janet Foss / Goredale Scar

 3. Kirby Malham & Home

15th September 2015 - The Whit Beck Project

A last walk before we go on holiday.  There was an invitation to view the Whit Beck Restoration Project on farm land near Lorton.  I joined a local group on this evening visit to see how the scheme has progressed.

10th September 2015 - Crag Fell and Grike

Jo's up on holiday, Ian's up in the Lakes too so we have a meeting of friends in Ennerdale to climb to the Pinnacles and beyond if all goes well ... and it did go well ... with superb views and the superb weather all this week.

7th September 2015 - Melbreak and a cool dip

A local fell again so I try for different photos, the heather being an obvious choice.  The forecast is for a fine week and the last few days have certainly seen an improvement in the weather.  We're back to hot weather at last.

6th September 2015 - The Loweswater Show 2015

Another lovely day in prospect as the weatherman predicts a fine day.  Friends Richard and Hilary plus Jo and ourselves meet up for coffee and then set off to the show ground, camera in hand, for a day out in the valley.

5th September 2015 - Knott Rigg Ard Crags for the heather

An afternoon start for a walk up a double Wainwright fell, but we go there for the colour as well as the long distance views. A false start due to finding lost property and then we were off up the fell to seek out that colour.

31st August 2015 - Heather and a Loweswater Sunset

It is proving a good year for heather on the higher fells, so encouraged on by others we went in search of the purple stuff.  Started fine, ended up wet and the following night the opposite ... dramatically wet ending up nice and dry.

29th August 2015 - Fellbarrow with Mark and Gill

Mark and Gill are over in Loweswater again and have requested to walk these two fells, in order to complete two more of Mark's round of 214 fells.  Gill's daughter and son in law come over in order to enjoy the walk too.

20th August 2015 - Hen Comb with Richard& Hilary

Richard and Hilary are caravanning in the Lakes and have found time to visit us in Loweswater. Chance for a liesurely walk but we do have to be back for an evening appointment, the first of three visits to the Kirkstile in 10 days.

17th August 2015 - Bessyboot with Trevor & Gill

Our first chance to get out onto the fells proper after our time away in Suffolk.  Time to catch up with Finlay of Borrowdale on a walk that we had already planned with Trevor & Gill.  Fortunately the weather plays ball too.

13th August 2015 - Local, Keswick and Mosedale

Back from our short trip down south and we are playing catch up with all the household jobs as well as reporting for duty at work. The weather has been very variable but these are some of the nicer bits, both here and elsewhere.

8th August 2015 - Our Pin Mill Holiday

Ann and I have travelled down to Suffolk to stay with Cathy, Richard and the family for a few days. After a slow journey across country to Scotch Corner we made good time and arrived late in the evening to Pin Mill.

 3. Holbrook Walk

4. Woolverstone

5. Angie & David's

1st August 2015 - High Doat Calling

A shorter walk toward the end of the day but to a summit we haven't visited for some time.  Back on a path we've never been on, a new route celebrated with a cup of tea and a scone, purchased from Longthwaite YHA.

22nd July 2015 - Loweswater Sunset

Suddenly you look out of the window and the surrounding hills are a different colour.  The Ayres Rock effect reaches as far as Cumbria as the late evening sun lights up the end of the day.

22nd July 2015 - Dale Head with the Kids

A classic local walk up to Dale Head summit from Honister. Two of our daughters and two grandchildren are with us a for a few days and wanted to walk on the fells. Dale Head suits everyone including Harry, our elder dog.

19th July 2015 - George Fisher's Summer Outing 2015

Chance to meet colleagues on a social basis away from "the office".  Julie organised an evening of Archery followed by a delightful meal at a local Outdoor Centre at the head of the Borrowdale Valley here in Cumbria.

15th July 2015 - Angle Tarn Pikes with Jo

Summer may have arrived today as the sun shone and the temperatures rose.  Jo is in the Lakes on holiday for a week and today we joined up to walk above Patterdale, a circumnavigation of Angle Tarn and its Pikes.

11th July 2015 - Seafarer's 24 Peaks Challenge 2015

A second mountain challenge just one week later than the last found me on Esk Hause again.  Different weather, different people but the same idea. I feature at the end of their first day on the fells, half of their weekend event.

10th July 2015 - Ling Crag and High Nook

Two local walks in lovely sunshine, taken amidst a period of very changeable weather. One to High Nook Tarn and the other out along Crummock Water to Ling Crag, catching an afternoon swim along the way.

5th July 2015 - Ann's invite to Pat's 70th

Over the weekend, Ann travelled south by train to join Pat and Mike for their garden celebration of Pat's big-0 birthday.  Cath and Sam joined them for the weekend. She stayed overnight in in Keyworth whilst I dog-sat at home.

4th July 2015 - Water Aid - 24 Peaks Event

Helping out as safety crew on a mountain challenge which saw eight teams trying to climb 24 Lakeland peaks over a two day period.  I feature towards the end of day one, my three peaks and 10 miles being just a part of the event.

30th June 2015 - The Garden and the Planets

No major walks to report on today and it was so hot and humid that it would have been uncomfortable climbing the fells anyway.  This evening I took a stroll around the garden to see how the season was panning out.

22nd June 2015 - Whoap and Lank Rigg with Jill & Nigel

Jill and Nigel are staying at Hollins Farm in Ennerdale Bridge and our invite today was to the western fells to help them on their way to another Wainwright summit.  Always chance of a second "reward" on the top.

19th June 2015 - Railway Children - Scafell Pike - 2015

It is that time of year again as we meet up again with impressive group of fellwalkers who are climbing the three highest peaks of the mainland UK, raising money for the Railway Children Charity.

14th June 2015 - Gavel and Blake with Jo

I was working on Saturday this week, but Jo was able to change plans and drive over on Sunday instead.  A longer walk today but still a local one as Jo has to travel home tonight. Bonus end to the walk today . . . falcons !

8th June 2015 - Loweswater Farmers 2015

The Loweswater Discussion Group is a mixed bunch of farmers and locals that live in the Loweswater area and who meet in the Kirkstile for talks during the winter. They include a summer day out in their annual calendar.

31st May 2015 - Mellbreak Remembered

A rather poignant walk today to mourn the passing, of a friend and fellow walker who featured on this site not so long ago.  We walked with Alan when he completed his Wainwright Fells on Mellbreak in August 2013, that's less than two years ago.  He died of cancer in April this year.

30th May 2015 - Dent and Flat Fell

Ian and Jo are with us today as we set off to climb Ian's favourite fell, or at least one of his favourites. A gentle walk alongside the cleared forestry gave good views over to the high fells and an easy way to the top.

22nd May2015 - Keswick Wainwright Exhibition

An invite to the opening night of the new Keswick Museum, Alfred Wainwright exhibition "Love Letter to the Lakes", lovingly put together with new exhibits and a wider appreciation of his Lakeland legacy.

20th May2015 - Rannerdale Colour 2015

Home from Scotland and chance to visit Rannerdale to check out the famous bluebells. Driving over Honister after work reminded me of the myths of the valley as I turned the corner at Hause Point in search of that dash of blue.

8th to 18th May 2015 - Durness and Northern Scotland

After a sunny holiday in South Wales we returned home. Just one walk out to Angler's Crag last week then it is time to pack the bags again as we are heading to the north Scottish coast today for our Durness Holiday.

 3. Tongue

4. Cape Wrath

5. Smoo Caves

6. Plockton

27th April 2015 - Angler's Crag with Trevor and Gill

Home from Swansea and the weather takes a turn for the worse.  To be fair it took a similar turn in Swansea too, but here in the mountains that rain turns to hail and the sleet turned to snow on the high fells again.

18th - 22nd April 2015 - Swansea Holiday 2015

A short break holiday staying with friends and looking forward to the Swansea Amateur's stage production with Gareth at the helm. Our visit coincides with a week of glorious sunshine, showing us Gower at it's best.

  2. Slade Bay and Oxwich

  3. Rhossili and Worms Head

14th April 2015 - Fellbarrow for Richard & Hilary

We met Richard a while back and enjoyed their company, talking of similar holidays to Scotland, New Zealand and the like. Today they were over in the Western Lakes to climb Fellbarrow so we joined forces and added Low Fell to the route to make an oft frequented, but no less enjoyable walk

11th April 2015 - Fleetwith and the Hanging Stone

Scary Tigers start this walk up Fleetwith Pike with Jo and Amber. Time precludes a full round including Haystacks as we have a deadline of an anniversary meal booked in The Bridge tonight - best bib and tucker.

5th April 2015 - Hen Comb with Cathy

While Roger and the boys were away climbing Ladyside, Cathy decided she would like a less arduous walk as she was driving back to Surrey that evening. She and I took Harry for a walk up to the summit of Hen Comb. 

5th April 2015 - Ladyside home with the Boys

Our Grandsons wanted to climb one of more of the high fells before they went home to Camberley, so today was a superb chance to climb high.  Cathy dropped us at Swinside End and all we had to do was walk home !  

5th April 2015 - Morning has Broken

Some days you can wake up and fonder why you should leave your nice warm bed. Other days, the sun streams in and you can't stay in bed any longer. Breakfast has to wait while I grabbed the camera and went outside.

2nd April 2015 - Gowbarrow with the Boys

We picked Gowbarrow today for our walk due to the nice round walk nature of the fell plus the fact that it would leave time to visit the Herdwick Exhibition at Rheged. To the Kirkstile for an evening meal afterwards.

31st March 2015 - Crummock with the Boys

Early Easter week was a complex week of weather with rain, hail, sleet and snow plus bouts of glorious sunshine. This day we set off after a big shower only to find the sun shone the whole of the time.  Well, some you win . . . !

21st March 2015 - Lily Tarn and Loughrigg

Despite being such a popular fell, we have only visited Loughrigg twice in the last five years.  We aim to put that right today as the weather is set fair and we've time enough on our hands to drive down to the southern Lakes.

20th March 2015 - Friday is Eclipse Day

The day of the eclipse and here's my attempts at recording the event,

plus a few wildlife and hauticultural photos from the garden this week.

18th March 2015 - 3D Maps in a Digital Age

This week Ann and I had the opportunity to visit a new exhibition called   "3D Models in the digital age" to publicise old and new ideas in Lake District Mapping. Tonight was a special but the exhibition runs till May.

18th March 2015 - Wythop Mill and Sale Fell

Fine weather, chance for a walk, several emails and a previous meeting all fall into place today.  We decide on a walk on Sale Fell but call in to Wythop Village before we do to visit the old school, the mill and the Church.

10th March 2015 - Double Measure - double Pleasure

A walk to the lake in the morning before Sherran and Bill return home.  In the afternoon other friends call round for a local walk, so where better to go but to the lake again, to enjoy the view along the length of Crummock.

8th March 2015 - Round Mellbreak with Sherran & Bill

Sherran and Bill are staying for a few days and the weather is not brilliant but we head out anyway.  We chose a low level walk around Mellbreak rather than brave the wind and possible low cloud.

28th February 2015 - A Damp Buttermere Round

The weather report matched the view out of our window so, according to the same forecast, the chance was that it would only go downhill as the day progressed . We chose somewhere suitable for a walk.

21th February 2015 - Barrow Fell with Jenna

 Saturday has arrived all too quickly and before Jenna sets off for home we have chance for a morning walk provided we don't drive too far. Chose somewhere in the fells, with good views, that doesn't take too long . . .

16th February 2015 - Harter Fell with Jenna

On Monday Ann, myself and Jenna ventured down to Eskdale on the prospect of an improving weather forecast.  Low cloud was possible but it should be brighter as the day went on ... we shall see!  Harter Fell here we come.

15th February 2015 - Rannerdale Knotts with Jenna

Our daughter Jenna is across from Sheffield for half term. In between planning and marking she made sure she found time to enjoy the scenery on offer.  Her first afternoon  she and Ann headed out to Rannerdale.

14th February 2015 - Causey Pike on Valentine's Day

A Saturday and Ann and I take the dogs out on a winter walk, but the warmer weather of late has removed much of the snow from the lower fells. We pick a steep climb for a quick ascent.  Lunch and microspikes are safe in the 'sack.

8-11th February 2015 - Inversion or no Inversion

There's been some great weather  unfortunately coinciding with other commitments.  Here's a few picture from this last few days and our attempt to chase the rainbow again, this time with a climb up Dale Head.

7th February 2015 - Middle Fell and that Sunset

We started the day with reasonable sunshine but it turned cold and murky.  The forecast said better in the west so Jo and ourselves travelled round to Wasdale for a hopefully nice walk up Middle Fell, weather permitting.

5th February 2015 - Whiteside Climb in the Snow

After an extended snow walk yesterday it was decided to give Harry a quieter day so Dylan and I headed out for a local walk. The high fells were crying out but we didn't need to go far provided we were prepared to climb.

5th February 2015 - Cinderdale Lakeside Walk

After a snowy fell walk yesterday, we decided Harry would be happier with a low level walk and swim on this beautiful day. Whilst Harry and I enjoyed our Crummock-side walk, Roger and Dylan climbed Whiteside above us.

4th February 2015 - Kings How and Jopplety How

 For a very pleasant change, a pre-organised walk coincides with a potentially great day of weather, as the skies clear and the sun shines on the recent snow.  Lakeland is looking its best again.

2nd February 2015 - Ling Fell in the Feb Snow

A shorter walk but a very enjoyable one, especially once the sun came out and counteracted the cool breeze.  It is amazing how the colour changes with the addition of a little sunshine too !

31st January 2015 - Two Days, Two types of Snow

Two subsequent days, almost two seasons apart.  Saturday on Latrigg turns Arctic as the sun went away and the wind increased.  Sunday however saw the sun return and the snow showed quite a different aspect of its nature.

30th January 2015 - Hen Comb in the Snow

After yesterday's heavy snowfall, well heavy compared to the winter so far, today dawned bright and clear.  Ann had a lunchtime engagement so the dogs and I headed for the hills, well we all need our daily exercise after all.

28/29th January 2015 - Loweswater Snow and Bree

It's winter time and the forecast is poor . . . snow and high winds. Usually I'm in work on nice days (totally not planned) but today I'm at home. My turn to walk the dog  . . . but tomorrow I'm in Keswick once more.

24th January 2015 - High Rigg Low Rigg n-Tewet-ivly

Intuitive implies doing things naturally without having to plan ahead.  This is what we did with this walk as we climbed for the first summit and then retraced our steps heading for the tarn of the same name "n-Tewet-ively".

21st January 2015 - An Askill Knott Round

An hour to spare today and a decision to take as to where to walk . . . the winter sun cast long shadows but the slopes above the Mosser Track were sunny and warm. Time for a quick drive and a slow but enjoyable walk.

20th January 2015 - Snowy Ullister Hill

There has been snow around for a few days now and today we had chance to get out and sample it for ourselves.  We didn't want anything too difficult in the snow and Whinlatter seemed like a good choice for today's walk.

16-19th January 2015 - Snow in the Valley

The third snowfall in the North Western Lakes has been the most significant of this winter so far. Other areas of the UK may have got more snow, some even some bright sunshine, but here we've had a real selection of weather. Here's a short compendium of the long weekend.

13-15th January 2015 - Jenna's Graduation

Over to South Yorkshire for the graduation of our daughter.  She successfully completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Education last summer at Sheffield and the college have waited till now (Jan) to award the actual certificates.

12th January 2015 - Mellbreak over sunset

A local walk . . . worth a picture or two . . . but that's all I took !

3rd January 2015 - A Mosedale Wander

It was a wet morning as Jo was packing to return home last Saturday. It seemed that the gods were against her again, as no sooner had she left the valley than the sun came out and the beautiful views returned.

2nd January 2015 - Low Fell after a wet New Year

Jo and Hilton were up for the New Year, which we enjoyed in the warmth of the Kirkstile Inn. The first day for a decent walk however was two days later when the cloud cleared south and sunshine returned to the north western fells.