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A second full day in Loweswater for Sherran and Bill. 

The weather is superb and Bill and I are eager to complete the paddock planting. 

The format of the day is repeated with work in the morning and a walk in the afternoon,

so the day started with Ann and Sherran taking Harry and Dylan for a short local walk.

A panorama of Low Fell, the Lorton Valley, Whiteside and Grasmoor with Whiteless Pike to the right.

Their viewpoint is the big rock in the field, just downstream from Low Park.

Harry seems fully recovered to his pre-Christmas health and fitness

and has been capable of slightly longer walks of late.

The panoramic view from Grasmoor again, around to Crummock Water, the Buttermere Valley and Mellbreak.

. . . meanwhile Bill and I just need to dig twelve big holes and plant twelve fruit trees in them.

The posts give us an idea of where they'll fit in the great scheme of things.

Overseeing our work . . . and opposite the front door when the ladies got back . . . is the inviting profile of Low Fell.

Time for lunch and then we're out of here . . . just look at those blue skies !

- - - o o o - - -

We parked for our walk just short of Thackthwaite . . . space for two small cars.

[ If it's taken then there's more road-side space on the far side of the village.]

Thackthwaite House.

It was up for sale recently as the owner has moved away in order to be closer to her family.

The wind vane at the top of the garden.

Looking across to Hopegill Head and the Whiteside Ridge.

Above the extended garden is an old sheep pen

fallen into disrepair through a change of farming techniques in recent years.

Walking the last section of the path up from the village before our route opens out into the fields.

With the open fields come the more open views.

There's very little snow on the tops but more is forecasted for later in the week.

Great Gable, looking taller than Scafell Pike at the head of the valley, due to being closer to us.

In this picture alone there are nine Wainwright fell summits in view.

Twelve summits now as we've walked up the track a little further.

The path bends round and we enter the shadow . . . it makes it more difficult for the camera to cope with the contrast.

We stop to take advantage of the track-side stone, which gives us the chance of some R&R on this continually climbing path.

In the distance, a first view of Skiddaw.

The path now zig-zags to climb out of the head of the valley.

Another turn in the path . . .

Fellbarrow, which Jack, Matthew and friends climbed a few days ago, is the high point in the distance.

After half a dozen turns the path levels out and heads in the right direction again.

A new gate since we were last here . . . thanks to the National Park Authority.

It's easier than the old kissing gate too.

The girls stroll on into the distance . . . there are lovely views up here today.

Dylan's looking back to see where I am . . . and yes, the telephoto lens means I'm further away than it appears.

Fellow walkers stop for a late lunch or a mid-afternoon snack as we pass by.

The summit of Low Fell . . . Bill's even busier with the camera than I am.

A photo of Sherran and Bill at the Low Fell summit.

Bill reciprocates with a picture of us . . . Dylan seems to have sneaked into both photos !

The view up Crummock Water and the Buttermere Valley to Great Gable and Kirk Fell.

Broad Crag, on Scafell's ridge line, is in the distance between them this time.

The white rock with a black top, or the particularly clean Swaledale sheep, turned out to be a person in a white duvet jacket.

A buzzard flies high over the valley as we look across High Snockrigg towards Honister.

The snow-etched, diagonal peat track on its side stands out prominently in this weather.

The view towards Great Gable from the southern cairn of Low Fell.

Ann sits with Dylan just short of the cairn and therefore out of the breeze for a moment.

. . . which gives her the chance of another group photo of us.

Bill and I hang back to catch a classic view of the girls on the actual southern viewpoint.

What are they looking at ?

. . . the view of course.

Loweswater catches the light far below.

Another "happy couple" just across the way.

Dylan's climbing rocks again.

Hold your cursor over the picture to get him to turn around.

Sherran asks "Is there a path down here ?"

The answer is a sort of  'yes' . . . but it is sometimes easier to pick your own route off the end of the fell.

Down by the bottom path we meet the fell ponies.

They really seem to enjoy the taste and crunch much more than plain biscuit dog-treats that I have offered them in the past.

Around another corner and the lie of the land casts more shadows,

this time halfway up the pine tree.

An  early evening panorama with Sherran, Bill and Ann by the tree.

Ann's view sky-ward with the sunlight catching the upper branches.

Thinking about it . . . the moon is also catching the sunlight . . . and there's another deep thought.

You can't help looking around when the views are good.

This is the old Scale Hill Hotel . . . now delightful holiday lets.

Godferhead Farm and the big duck pond that the owner has restored in recent years.

Oak Cottage, Gillerthwaite and yes . . . the red phone box . . . just.

Down to the back of Whinney Ridding wood

where the late afternoon sunshine is brightening up the winter brown of the larch trees.

Those who looked at the February page of our calendar may have spotted the Loweswater Pheasant

Well today Sherran discovered the Cinderdale Dinosaur creeping its way across the lower slopes of Grasmoor.

I think we've pitched the timing of the walk just fine . . . as the warmth of the day fades as we near home.

- - - o o o - - -

Sherran and Bill stayed for the evening and we said our goodbyes the next day.

The weather has been superb and we've done such a lot in the three days they've been here.

- - - o o o - - -

The forecast for the next day was for strong easterly winds and snow.

"The Beast from the East" was already hitting the coastal regions on England and Scotland.

Our visitors were home safe by the time the snow started . . . no-one knows how much we will get in Loweswater over the next few days.