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A straight forward local walk but a bit longer this time as we complete the linear walk from Cinderdale

part way along the shores of Crummock Water to the foot of the lake,

then on towards home where birthday cake and a surprise celebratory dinner awaits.

( Can I say that as the event has passed, admitting it here will not spoil the surprise for the recipient.)

Setting the scene . . . cold . . . wet . . . snow on the tops . . . not a great day for a walk.

[ That a bird silhouette on the picture window to discourage birds from flying into the clear glass by the way.]

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It's Jo's birthday and we invite her over for a walk and a meal . . . and the sun comes out !

The forecast has come true . . . and this is the start of a four day sunshine extravaganza.

Our linear walk today starts at the Cinderdale car park alongside Crummock Water . . . we'll come back for the car later.

That's Jo . . . but I think you know that already . . . if not you've probably guessed.

The dry weather has cleared the air and the tops are looking beautiful . . . this is Whiteless Pike.

Not so much snow as a few days ago because some of the showers were of rain and so much of it has melted from the lower slopes.

The high peaks are still "brilliant white" as they say in the decorative trade  . . . this is Grasmoor and the Lad Hows ridge.

The yellow gorse is flowering well now that it is mid-March.

We look over to Low Fell and the valley to the left that is home to the lake of Loweswater.

Our lakeside path undulates along the shore line, heading north to the foot of Crummock Water.

This is the small bridge over Red Gill,

the stream that runs off the right hand edge of the front of Grasmoor.

Time to sit and enjoy the sunshine and the view this fine afternoon.

The lower path runs across the back of the beach.

The amount of gravel can vary from virtually none to ten feet wide depending on the state of the lake.

Jo and Ann stop for a quick photo opportunity.

A little competition, where both Ann and I compete for presentation and quality of photo,

of the moss covered rocks and reflections on the water . . . won't say who won but I came second !

[ My pictures were a bit too arty and avante garde . . . that's my excuse.]

Oaks, ash and knotty pine . . . plus a galvanised iron hinge.

The High Stile Ridge was looking lovely this afternoon.

Another fine oak . . . this one standing proudly independent . . . allowing it to achieve its full spread of those branches.

Looking up across the field now

and we are drawing level with Whiteside, with snow covered Hopegill Head behind it.

A small path takes us down to "Shark Bay" . . . but the shark is hardly showing today due to the high water level.

Behind the high fells catch the eye again . . .

High Stile round to Red Pike . . . looking white in its wintery mantle.

Closer now so you can pick out the foreground ridge of Dodd climbing up to the summit of Red Pike.

With the big lens still on . . . a lake side oak with Rannerdale's Hause Point behind.

A redundant stile ahead . . . as Dylan skirts round it on to the beach.

The common plant here on the floor of the damp woodland is Great Woodrush

We've reached the boathouse and the gently sloping pebble beach encourages the dogs in for a paddle.

Harry ventures in . . . but only up to his armpits.

Amber thinks about going in for a stick . . . but it is a bit far away.

Harry down at the beach at the foot of the lake.

The giant Scots pine dominates the area, making the distant boathouse look small.

We continue walking along to the weir,

the outlet of Crummock Water that feeds into the start of the River Cocker.

Climbing the first of two bridges over the river and we enjoy another fine view up the lake.

Interesting smooth water on the overflow.

Bubbling and splashing as the water rushes down through the fish ladder.

Jo and Amber make their way over the second of the two bridges.

The wider view from the opposite side of the lake from the Cinderdale path.

From the pump house we continue home via the gated road.

There's a beautiful display of daffodils outside our neighbour Ann's house.

One of four stiles across the next set of fields that are decidedly dog-unfriendly.

I have already carried Harry over this stile and return for Amber.

Fortunately Dylan flies over them all but we do wish there were more dog gates.

In action again at the next stile with Harry.

With all the recent rain, some unnamed temporary "tarns" have appeared in the fields.

This one allows a  lovely reflection of the adjacent trees and the blue of the sky.

We call this one "Puffin Tarn" as it is quite close to home.

A more unusual view of our cottage, seen on the left of this photo, as we cross the fields.

Newly born lambs in the fields surrounding our cottage . . . Foulsyke is in the background . . . the road in between.

Home again to the regular view from our garden, including our two puffins of course.

Time to put the kettle on while Jo and I retrieve the car from Cinderdale.

Ann's stays at home to welcome a surprise guest to help us celebrate Jo's birthday this evening.

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Cake and candles with Maggie here to join us for tea and for supper later on . . .

and who knows, maybe a wee glass of Prosecco along the way !

The meaning of the three candles . . . each one represents seven years of course . . . so she's just 21 years old today !!

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