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Today we have visitors to Loweswater.  We've known Richard and Christine through various emails, today we meet them in person.

With Harry's walking ability improving after his recent illness, we were able to have a slightly longer walk too. 

Friday's afternoon's weather should stay dry,

but the signs were that it was going downhill more quickly than forecasted.

This first photo from a few days ago . . . when the early morning cloud lifted and the morning sun shone on the valley.

This was the view from our home across to Loweswater Church and beyond to Mellbreak and Hen Comb (behind the mist).

Welcome to Paradise.

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Sadly Friday afternoon when our visitors arrived was not quite so bright . . .

Richard and Christine hail from just north of the Thames

but are on holiday at their favourite self catering cottage at Little Town in Newlands Valley.

They've joined us for an afternoon walk, talk and a beverage or two afterwards.

The weather is rather overcast as we drive the short distance to Maggie's Bridge.

Driving to this local car park means Harry doesn't have too much road walking . . . tarmac seems a bigger problem for him than grass.

The rain isn't forecasted till this evening . . . let's keep our fingers crossed.

Christine and Ann at the wooden seat in front of the bothy.

This fine accommodation is available to book through the National Trust website.

Holme Wood has a buggy and wheelchair-friendly path laid out a few years back so walking is easy.

As the light rain started to fall, the camera was tucked into a pocket for a while.

We walked around the lower part of the wood enjoying a few extra moments at a second seat where Holme Beck enters the lake

but we passed on the waterfalls today . . . something for their next visit.

Three at the gate, Richard and myself here . . . where's Harry ?

A pause while we all re-group at the gate.

On the way back the rain stopped and the prospects looked brighter once again.

Sufficient time to get home and put the kettle on and have a brew

before I have to leave Ann to entertain our guests and head over to Keswick to collect some radio equipment for tomorrow.

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Five hours later Richard and Christine and the mist had gone.

Now at the end of the day the sun decided to shine through beneath the high cloud.

Rannerdale Knotts catching the evening light at 9.30pm.

High Stile ridge is bathed in late evening sunshine too.

Closer to home our neighbours building work is going well . . . the roof structure is in place this week.

Hopefully the rain that travelled through and dampened the weather for us this afternoon

was the rain that was forecast for early morning tomorrow.

I have to be up and ready on Haystacks by 7.30am for marshalling duties and I didn't fancy a wet start.

Time now to pack my rucksack and remember to set the bed-side alarm for a five o'clock in the morning.

Who said retirement was quiet and relaxing ?

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Hi Ann and Roger, A great set of pictures and narrative, you should have written for the 'papers' rather than sold them . We had better weather the next day ( on Dale Head ) Thanks again from both of us. Richard and Christine.

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