We've had fireplace, bedroom and kitchen fitters plus painters and decorators all working here at home in the last few weeks, each adding their own complications to daily life.

This set of photos allow me to catch up on local walks in what has been a month of busy activity and very varied autumnal weather.

We've had beautiful autumnal mornings but also some rather damp days, one of which unfortunately coincided with the visit of long term friends.

One of the joys of living here in Loweswater are the bright, often frosty mornings at this time of year.

This is the view from back door as I let the dog out into the garden . . . the view includes Mellbreak and Hen Comb in the bright morning sunshine.

As I reach the corner of the track in Flass Woods, the view across to Whiteside and Grasmoor is stunning.

- - - o o o - - -

A number of local walking days I've set off towards Foulsyke and Whinny Ridding Woods.

In recent days everything has got a lot muddier as work has been going on to restore the pond . . . so that it can once again hold water.

First the digger was clearing the ingress of trees from the pond and the surrounding area.

It hasn't been dredged but the local contractor has been busy re-opening the area.

The small dam wall has been partially restored and now includes an outlet pipe for the water.

It will hold back a reasonable amount of water in the pool, which will help flood prevention and improve the water based habitat for insects and other local wildlife.

A few days later and the water level has risen. Should it flood then it will not be too much of a problem

as this close to the stream's source it can simply overflow the dam without causing any major harm.

Another view of the pool as it gradually fills to its working level.

A few weeks later and the pool is settling down.

Hopefully the massive disruption to the soil round and about will be tidied up before the contractor finishes and leaves.

- - - o o o - - -

During this rainy period I had a visit from Peter Burgess, his new girlfriend Jan and another long term walking friend, Ian Smith.

It was Peter's innovation to start the Online Fellwalking Club (the OFC) that brought so many long term friends together in the first place.

The Club has now folded due to Yahoo withdrawing the social media format . . . but Ann and I made many good friends at that time

and many of them still keep in touch with me to this day.

Peter's visit unfortunately coincided with a bad weather day, so Jan was unable to see all the fine views normally on offer.

We did climb Scale Hill then walk down to Crummock Water where Dougal enjoyed a swim at the boathouse.

Peter testing the depth of the water out at the weir . . . always one for a bit of adventure !

Peter works in Windermere where Jan is a newly qualified medic. She really seems to bring the best out in the boy !

- - - o o o - - -

Coincidentally a week or so later, Peter's mum Barbara had a day out in Loweswater.

While she was here she checked out her dwarf willow.

It wouldn't grow above waist height in her garden lawn, here with an ample water supply it has really thrived and is nearly up to her shoulders.

She shared her day out with her friend Paul who also wanted a return visit to Loweswater.

After lunch Barbara took home some of the world famous Loweswatercam Calendars for herself and friends at Christmas . . . what a nice lady !

- - - o o o - - -

Another fine morning, this time in early November and I took a walk down to the lake with Dougal.

Puffin Tarn (you won't find that on any map) reflects the high cloud that has temporarily obscured the sun.

The mist swirls around the face of Carling Knott, across the fields closer to the lake that gives Loweswater its name.

As I cross these fields the cloud clears and I can see all of the Loweswater Fells clearly once more.

Down at the side of Crummock the mist has cleared and it's quite moody in the shade of the high cloud.

The surface of the lake is calm as there's no breeze . . . but not for long !

Dougal jumps in so I throw the tennis ball out into the lake a few times to allow him to swim (can you see the splash?).

They say that a small amount of 'cold water swimming' is good for you, Dougal certainly enjoys it.

From the Pumphouse Grasmoor is just holding onto a wisp of cloud which brushes it's summit like a volcano.

The view across to the boathouse that we visited in very different conditions a few days ago.

I return via the Water Board bridge, back towards Low Fell and home.

The weather forecast hints at snow in the next week . . . could this be the start of winter ?

- - - o o o - - -