During the last few weeks there has been some great weather,
nicely cold and clear.
The wintery weather has left snow on the high fells and skiing
has apparently been good at the ski tow on Helvellyn's eastern
slopes.
Over here we have at last got some reasonable weather to enable
me to work and walk in the sunshine.

A quick visit to Keswick involved a drive over Whinlatter,
from where the views of Skiddaw and Blencathra were beautiful.
- - - o o o - - -
The same day I came back and walked Dougal on the track out
to The Chair, using Loweswater's Coffin Route from Fangs Brow.
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On the flanks
of Burnbank several trees have been planted, protected
by wooden fences. |
The post on two of them
had a strange metal bracket on the top. |
I can't be sure but I think they are viewing
stations, somewhere to place a camera to take a standard view
of the scene, on repeated visits during the various seasons.
The fixed position gives an accurate, repeatable
view . . . you could say it is the ultimate 'time lapse' photographic
post.

We reached The Chair, looking old but cared
for after some new wooden spars in recent years.
Two sentinels today . . . one with a big tongue
and one with a big tennis ball in his mouth.

They sat by the chair just long enough for a
second photo call.
Round here in the shadow of Burnbank Fell the
temperature has dropped noticeably due to the lack of sun.
Cool, quiet, peaceful . . . a lovely place to
sit and enjoy the serenity . . .

That is until a military jet flies up the valley,
engines at full blast as it takes the corner and heads up the
Buttermere Valley.

Not one but two both to quick and too far away
to get a close photo with my little camera.

Peace returns as we head back down to Fangs
Brow from the highest part of the walk.
Ahead on our return route are the Solway Firth
and the Scottish Hills.
- - - o o o - - -
On Thursday 6th, the Village of Buttermere laid
one of their own to rest.

It was the funeral of Raymond Beard of Rannerdale
Farm, who had been ill for some time.
His family organised a classic yet cheerful
service remembering his life at various farms in the valley
and his grandson gave an excellent eulogy to his life,
which was both meaningful and humorous. I felt
honoured to be able to attend his memorial.

There's no cemetery at this small St James's
Church so he would be taken to the graveyard on Lorton for a
family burial following the service.
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Back in
Loweswater the sunny weather has brought on the Crocuses
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. . . and with them
this Tree Bumblebee searching for nectar. |

Likewise the graveyard at Loweswater Church
is covered in a carpet of wonderful crocuses, similarly in full
bloom this week.

Loes and the two dogs stop by to admire the
display.

Not quite the brightest photo, due to being
taken after the sun went in, but it sets the flowers against
a backdrop of the high fells.