Hiley Website

The build up to Christmas can be as frenetic and commercial as you wish . . . or it can be relaxed and quiet.

Ours has been somewhere in between, emphasising the relaxed yet organised valley community

whose ideas are not fixed, but are based on traditions, both recent and old.

There have been some lovely December morning sunrises,

none more colourful that this one where the red skies actually heralded a better day than expected.

So much for shepherd's warning.

The distant outline of Green Gable and Great Gable

with the faint matching outline of Haystacks in front of them.

A closer view of the fells and the skies above Rannerdale Hause.

One afternoon we ventured into Keswick so that Dylan could attend a party . . .



He's visiting Millfield Nursing Home in his role as a PAT Dog	Whilst he was busy, Dougal and I spent our time in town.



Entertainment by a group of Line Dancing Santas . . .	. . . and more casual dancing from friends and residents.

Dylan preferred not to be photographed while at work !

	- - - o o o - - - One Valley event we always look forward to is the Loweswater Ladies Group Christmas Buffet, a superb meal with members and partners at The Fish Inn The tree was part of their rather nice Christmas display. - - - o o o - - -

We joined in a "Locals Night" at the Kirkstile Inn

where a Christmas meal is provided by the pub for locals and friends.

The ticket money . . . all of it . . . is donated to the pub's charity of choice . . . a very generous offer by Roger and Helen.

This year the favoured charity was the local Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team.

We supported the Kirkstile, as best we could, by spending money behind the bar !!!

- - - o o o - - -

In early December we enjoyed a welcome visit of

Chris Banister to Lamplugh Village Hall.

He had sung a John Denver tribute concert in Loweswater last year

which was excellent . This evening he combined some of his his normal set

with more topical Christmas songs from John Denver's 1975

Rocky Mountain Christmas Album, plus some of his own songs.

Ann, Lorna and Sophie during the interval.

Chris Bannister (left) receiving very appreciative applause.

A second formal visit to the Kirkstile was for the Farmer's Discussion Group Christmas meeting.

After an evening meal we were entertained rather differently than usual with an old home movie.

[ For those of a younger disposition, this Super8 film, the old celluloid type on a cine projector, pre-dates video tape, Betamax and digital.]

Miles Postlethwaite from Armaside, Lorton, took us back to the Loweswater Show in the 1980's when it was held at Godferhead Farm.

The film recalled the fell racing, horse jumping and terrier racing as well as the many show ground scenes.

Several of the group could recall familiar faces of family or friends.

We were also entertained to an old cine film of "the latest dairy methods" as recently introduced onto Ken's childhood farm, again in the eighties.

Miles created and Ian Mitchell narrated a film about the new dairy parlour at Moorland Close. Ken's brother Robin featured in the film.

- - - o o o - - -

Add to that a visit by our friend Peter for a few days and an invite from Richard and Sharron to the Fox and Hounds at Ennerdale Bridge

and ours has been a very sociable run up to Christmas.

- - - o o o - - -

I've also been sent this rather nice, local photo by a Dutch visitor Thomas Payot, who was intrigued by the early evening photographic opportunity.

We met . . . guess where . . . outside the local phone box.

At this point may I take the opportunity to thank all of you who have been in touch with us through the website

and who have supported us this year by buying our 2019 Calendar once again.

	- - - o o o - - - Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some carol singing. There is a Valley tradition of singing house-to-house and collecting donations to the NSPCC. Ann Hayton organised a large crowd this year and we drove from Littlethwaite back to Loweswater on the Tuesday before Christmas.

Some were just about to dine . . . but hopefully appreciated the call.

Our local Vicar made it to the door . . . despite her being house-bound with a broken leg !

. . . and one neighbour accepted out visit in true style . . . after our unannounced arrival on this cold (non-frosty) evening.

Hardly a crib . . . more a warm jacuzzi on this mid-winter's night.

	- - - o o o - - - We called at The Kirkstile once again to Wassail the residents and visitors A big thanks to The Kirkstile for their hospitality. - - - o o o - - -



This gentleman requested Rudolf to close the set . . .	. . . so we chose this John Denver version.

Click here for the more traditional rendition of the Christmas Song

(Make sure your PC speakers are switched on . . . then control the sound from the secondary display )

The music track is courtesy of our friend Helmut Hudler in Austria.

He sings the part of Santa with his music group "Vokal 8" . . . recorded in concert 2013.



After the last house we adjourned to John and Judy's . . .	. . . for another glass of mulled wine and Christmas treats.

- - - o o o - - -

There were five evenings of carols this year . . . I joined a smaller band of carollers again on the Friday

starting at Scale Hill and working our way up to Buttermere.

We were invited in to sing . . . the acoustics were better and it was raining outside !

Welcomed by Yvette and Richard in Buttermere at the end of our evening out.

- - - o o o - - -

We've managed to see many of our family during the past year

and a trip to see them all again soon in the New Year is a strong possibility

We've exchanged presents and been in touch on the day so we'll just add theses three of our grandson Luke to close this set.



A very grown up and confident 18 month old . . .	. . . not quite so sure when meeting Santa Claus.	. . . but soon in the swing of Christmas.

- - - o o o - - -

I hope your run up to Christmas was fun and that you have an enjoyable Christmas too.

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Panasonic Lumix TZ60, my Panasonic Lumix Gx8 Camera or whatever was around.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . the sound of jingle bells in the air.

Previous walk - 24th December - Christmas Eve Walk - Part 2

A previous time up here - 25th December 2010 Christmas Greetings

Next walk - 2nd January - Pin Mill Visit 2019 - 1

2019 Calendar

We are sad, but in a way also happy to declare,

that the 2019 Loweswatercam Calendar has sold out

Many thanks for all of you who have bought a copy.


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