I'm expecting family to stay for the next few days, my youngest daughter Jenna and her partner Matt,

plus three grandchildren, my eldest in his thirties (who's here with his wife) and my two youngest, who are two and just under one year old.

Later Saturday morning Jack and Catherine also came over. in time for a walk to the Lake in the afternoon sunshine.

It was a beautiful day and views up the valley to Great Gable were clear and uninterrupted (except by the tree !).

Down at the first beach by Crummock Water.

Fallen pines from twenty years back still form a nice seat for Loes to sit upon,

somewhere she can play ball with Dougal and also enjoy the view of Grasmoor.

Jack climbs on a tree stump in order to throw a tennis ball out into the lake for Dougal to swim and fetch.

If it works, roll your cursor over the picture to "spot the ball" and see the dog swimming out.

The view across to the Pumphouse and the northern end of Crummock Water,

with Whiteside above the winter trees of Lanthwaite Woods.

Emily had a thing about stones . . . she was throwing them in the water to make a splash, but always held onto the last one to take home.

Dougal was split between catching the stones and holding onto the tennis ball . . . the ball won.

Thought the Herdwick would make a nice photo this fine afternoon !

Jen and Matt and family.

Have they come up to Cumbria to see me or just to go to the Kirkstile . . . Hopefully both.

- - - o o o - - -

Next morning we had the opportunity to go for a longer walk.

It was sunglass weather again and, as we see it all the time from the cottage window, Low Fell was the choice of destination today.

Parking on the Lorton side of Thackthwaite village, but as it was fine weekend, spaces were limited.

This must be the busiest I've seen this parking area in all the time I've lived in the valley.

Lorton and Whinlatter, as seen from the bridleway up from the village.

With the sunny weather comes a slight haze, but we still had views of Whiteside and Hopegill Head across the valley.

Distant Skiddaw shows above the Whinlatter Fells as we climb the path up onto Low Fell.

Through the gate at the top and a quick diversion out to Watching How,

the promontory on the side of the ridge from where you get a complete view of the Lorton Valley far below.

We also had a lovely, but rather hazy view of Mellbreak and the Buttermere Valley.

The ridge walk to the summit is surprisingly undulating.

The top of Low Fell itself, complete with stone cairn.

The car parking was busier earlier and certainly there were a lot more people on the ridge than I had seem for quite some time.

A second photo by Catherine, presumably to show that I was also there.

The viewpoint summit oat the southern end of Low Fell this time . . . from here we could look down on Loweswater itself.

When you get to the end of the ridge, the only way is down.

You can back-track to the fence line or you can just (carefully) step off the end and walk down via this landmark rock.

[ I can't promise Dougal will be there when you try it.]

At the bottom of the descent, at the break of slope, there's a good path that makes its way back to the Lonesome Pine.

Time to be heading home as Jack and Catherine have to get back to Birmingham tonight.

This is one of the three wildlife pond in the shallow valley behind Foulsyke and Wood End Cottage.

Matt with the rest of the group almost back at the cottage, wellies in hand, not where they should be, i.e. on Emily's feet.

The wellies and the owner were united soon after lunch so that she could go and play in the garden.

Early evening and time to feed the birds once again before bed time.

Oh . . . must phone teddy and tell him it's time for bed.	Old iPods make perfect mobile phones for two year old's (her idea not mine).

- - - o o o - - -

Jenna and Matt were able to stay a second night, then they headed north for a week in Avimore.

" Amazing "	" Just a smell for now "

Ptarmigan Railway summit station.	So drunk with excitement, couldn't get the picture straight !

First holiday pictures courtesy of them of course . . . I'm still here in The Lakes.