Another day of blue skies and sunshine, below zero temperatures with plenty of snow still lying on the fells.

The valley and lowland roads were clear, but ice was a problem after the recent wet weather.

Newlands and Honister Passes were closed but we thought we'd combine a trip to see friends in Buttermere with a drive

up the valley as far as we could safely get, towards the foot of Honister Pass.

Straight into the big picture of today's trip out . . . no prizes for guessing where !

Click here or on the photo above for a larger annotated panorama (click the back arrow to return).

It's three in the afternoon, an hour or so before sunset, but the air is clear and the weather fine.

The winter colours cast an icy-blue hue over the scenery here at the head of Buttermere.

A close up of The Pines and Haystacks, with only slightly rippled reflections on the water in the lake.

A virtually empty car park at Gatesgarth, but the contrast of sunlight and shade on the snow of Dale Head was stunning.

The west facing slope of Fleetwith Pike, the snow virtually hiding the "Fanny Mercer" Cross just below the darker, left hand, lower crags.

Looking over the wall to Warnscale Valley and the distinctive outline of Haystacks on the far side.

The road surface was clear so we proceeded on, in search of more winter views.

We were not disappointed . . . these are the fallen stones on the way up the Gatesgarthdale Valley.

Time to stop driving and park (alongside another empty car) to have a short walk the final distance to the bridge.

If you look carefully you'll see one set of tyre tracks climbing the pass . . . rather them than me !

Time to turn and head back down the valley . . . the sun just catching the tops of the fells on the right hand side of the road.

Down past Gatesgarth Farm . . . it's the west facing slopes of Mellbreak catching the snow this time.

The bend at the head of Buttermere where the road first meets the lake.

You could say that I enjoy trying to take the perfect picture of The Pines.

Better in close up . . . to the right is a damages and naturally pollarded Ash by the lake shore.

Once again chance for you to see the big picture . . . click on the image to view a larger and scrollable view of the scene.

Click here or on the photo above for a larger annotated panorama.

The light is fading slightly as I take the dog for a walk to the lake.

Loes has called into Syke Farm for a chat with her friend Ann.

The moon was high over Dale Head as the last of the sunshine brushes the tops.

Stone me that's an okay photo . . . complete with thin surface ice.

Once round the open field to the Dubbs Beck bridge and back to that fence

then it was time to return to Buttermere Village and say hello to Ann at the farm, pickup Loes and head home.