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It wasn't work all the time while Sherran and Bill were staying with us.

The fine winter weather which made working on the paddock easier was also calling us to get out for a walk.

Our first longer outing was was based on a request to walk Binsey

as Sherran and Bill had not yet climbed to the top of this interesting little Wainwright fell.

But let's start at the beginning . . .

Sherran and Bill are here for a few days, happy faces sitting outside Foulsyke with Ann and the dogs

After they arrived it was still light enough to enjoy a local walk.

All the snow seems to have gone from the local fells due to the rain and mild conditions last week.

The view up the Buttermere Valley from Foulsyke.

That's where the first picture came from.

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The next morning Bill and I worked on the paddock . . .	. . . Ann and Sherran took Harry for a shorter walk locally.

With Harry exercised we felt we could get out for a longer walk in the afternoon.

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Parking at Binsey Cottage . . . almost full due to some local trail-hound people having a practice run of their dogs.

The gate onto the fell . . . managed to miss out all the other cars !

Skiddaw behind as Bill and I chat on our way up the fell.

Three of the wind blown Hawthorns near the start of the walk.

We stop and turn to admire the view . . . Binsey always gives value for money !

Overwater and the Back O'Skiddaw fells.

The Dash Beck valley with Dash Falls just visible in the shadow.

Close up of Skiddaw with just a little snow left on its north facing slopes.

A rather hazy view over Bassenthwaite Lake to the high fells.

A Kestrel hovers, looking for a meal.

	On the summit Dylan climbs the cairn. - - - o o o - - - Behind him is the summit trig point. This is the northernmost Wainwright top surprisingly. A metal plaque explains the purpose of the pillar. - - - o o o - - -

The other feature on the trig point today was Dylan.

Due to the rocky nature of the ground I helped him up and insisted he sat till I lifted him down.

These trig points are only just big enough for a fully grown retriever !

Ann's photo of our group today.

From the shelter on the top we look across and down at the minor western summit.

Behind us the Solway Plain and the coast can hardly be seen. Views of Scotland will have to wait till their next visit.



The symmetry of the wall caught my eye . . .	. . . as Sherran did on that small outcrop of rock.

Looking across into the sunshine.

We decide to drop down slightly to the final western outcrop.

Suddenly a rush of dogs as the trail hounds fly by following their aniseed scent-trail.

Looking across to Caer Mote Hill.

There's an old Roman fort in the valley on this side and a modern wind farm at Bothel on the other.

We retrace our steps, or rather we circle round and climb back up towards the high ground.

The lower angle of the sun seems to be improving visibility towards Ullock Pike and Skiddaw.

Three stride out along the ridge . . .

. . . that's the one set back from the true summit across the way, where we were earlier.

Dylan finds a rock to climb on.

. . . then we're off downhill all the way back to the car.

Getting Dylan to climb the rock is easy . . .

. . . getting him to look at the camera takes a little longer.



High above us a Buzzard flies overhead . . .	. . . as does a rather larger and rather higher "bird".

Ann and Sherran make the gate first . . . I had been delayed by technology.

All in a good cause . . . a web page on the phone, a phone number and a quick call found us heading in a different direction.

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Overwater Hall Hotel could offer us an afternoon tea.

Normally they need 24 hours notice for a 'formal' afternoon tea . . . but they could manage a cream tea if we could make it across after our walk.

Not sure whether I'm closing the estate door or straightening my hair after taking my hat off !

Dylan can stay in the car for now.

We have a rather nice tea ready to be served.

If you have the chance to visit, it is an extremely nice place.

It has an excellent reputation for hospitality and food . . . but out of courtesy, please phone first if you are not staying there.

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After the most delightful tea and scones we were on our way . . .

If visiting the Overwater Hall Hotel it is only right to stop by Overwater itself.

The sun is setting . . . spreading a lovely yellow glow across the sky.

From the other side of the valley . . . a few 'Derry Brabbs' in the foreground seem to add to the picture.

The last of the sunshine also makes Orthwaite Hall shine brightly at the end of the day.

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