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A visit to Buttermere for everyone today as the weather improves, or we thought it was improving.

Different aspirations encourage us to split the walk halfway

but not before we had visited the lake and the bridges of Buttermere Dubs.

The sign at the National Trust car park.

The fire risk mentioned on the notice has lessened in recent days due to the rain and the pleasantly cool temperatures.

Others in the south and east of the UK are still experiencing strong sunshine and temperatures of 30 degrees plus some days.

Ann and Alexander are ready and waiting for the second car to empty.

"Baby on Board" . . . we are under way . . . heading first for the village.



These original gatepost caught my eye . . .	. . . they are still using the poles instead of hinged gates.

Gareth stops to show Luke the sheep.

Well . . . there is a fair selection of ages and shapes on show.

Pure Herdwicks start with black hair and go grey with age . . . remind you of something or somebody ?

The Bridge Hotel . . . and a third bridge . . . but I'm not particularly referring to that one in the title today.



Wilkinsyke Farm offering eggs and postcards . . .	. . . and a view of Sour Milk Gill across the valley.

Cathy was up in Buttermere a couple of evenings ago and said there was no visible water in the waterfall then.

The rain of the last few days has made a noticeable difference.

A Swaledale Tup . . . with lovely curly horns.

Likewise a Herdwick Tup (or ram) challenging him with his set.



Well if that's the only criteria for a photo . . .	. . . then I'm off !

	- - - o o o - - - The pebble beach at the foot of Buttermere Lake is closed in the Spring to allow the sandpipers to breed undisturbed on the shore Today the notices have gone and the path is open once more allowing true circumnavigation of the lake or in our case to enjoy the shorter walk over to the bridges. - - - o o o - - -

A wide shot of High Stile, High Crag and Haystacks from the beach

as Boris dives into the water for the first stick of the day.

Sticks and Stones . . . entertain the dogs and the skimming ones, the people.

Rhian's selfie of their family . . . Luke is still working out what she's holding in her hand.

They're off . . . bye . . . at nearly sixteen months he's got the idea of waving.

Our separation was brief . . . we followed immediately afterwards . . . but Luke enjoyed it all the same.

Views down the valley to to a sunny Mellbreak . . .

. . . and across the wide fields to the low, green and brown ridge of Rannerdale Knotts

with Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike and the North Western fells behind.

The reverse view looks up the lake towards Fleetwith Pike, Brandreth and Haystacks.

Dylan pauses by the lonely tree on the shores of Buttermere.

A little further on and Haystacks is lost in favour of a view up the Gatesgarth Valley towards Honister.

The diggers have been out again as the National Trust improve the path on the other side of the river.

I believe they are making this section more buggy and wheelchair friendly but I've not heard confirmation.

There's work going on at the first of the Buttermere bridges.

In fact you could say there's major work going on !

	- - - o o o - - - The old bridge is being replaced. [ This was a picture of it in 2014.] - - - o o o - - -

In the mean time would walkers please use the replacement.



The classic view up the lake from the opposite shore.	Sam ventures up to the foot of Sour Milk Gill.

Our walk today will take us down stream, parallel to the river.

There are nice views across the valley to Rannerdale in between the trees.



Luke wants to hold Bilbo's lead for a while.	Out into the open now as the sheep watch from higher ground.

Crummock Water in sight . . . so is the first raindrop by the look of the photo.

- - - o o o - - -

Cathy and her boys wish to extend the walk by leaving us at this point and walking home via Scale Force.

It gives them and the dogs an extended walk as Gareth, Rhian, Luke, Ann and I return dog-less to the village.



Knott Rigg viewed looking up the Newlands Pass valley.	Not a traffic queue but Sunday parking in Buttermere.

From the greyness it looks like there may be a bit of rain in the air once more . . . I hope not.

Thick mosses cover the rocks and trees

as we walk back up the path to Dubs Bridge.

Through the gate that we passed earlier . . .

. . . and over the second bridge across the river which connects the two lakes.

Winter storms has washed a large tree up against the bridge . . . hiding the second and major arch from the camera.

The river-washed alluvial soils have provided fertile ground for this wonderful collection of wild flowers.

The orange flowers are crocosmia, a variety which we also have growing in the garden.

The lane leads us back to the Fish Inn and the Croft Cafe . . .

but we head for the Syke Farm Tea Rooms . . . home of the famous "Buttermere Ice Cream".

	- - - o o o - - - When in Rome. . . as they say. Luke enjoys his first taste of this rich, creamy delight. Vanilla for him and Gareth Forest Fruits, Peanut Butter and Rhubarb Crumble flavours for us. Time just to pop in to the farm for some Buttermere free-range eggs and then head home to open up the house before the others return. - - - o o o - - -

That rain I mentioned did arrive.

We just got a slight sprinkling as we headed back to the car

but Cathy and the boys arrived home warm but drenched after their walk to Scale Force.

We thought we had seen them walking alongside Crummock but they had extended the walk around the back of Mellbreak

and got really wet in the rain.

Still . . . the towels are in the bedroom, the kettle's on and there's some Loweswater fruit cake waiting in the tin !


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