An unusual name for this page but that will become clear when you see the Whinlatter pictures.

Before that, a few photos of our Fangs Brow walk and afterwards

a celebration of 30 years in the business for friends of ours in Quince and Medlar, Cockermouth.

A mixed bunch of topics but hopefully full of interest . . . yours to view now.

Amongst the gloomier January days we did manage to see some better weather

so on one afternoon we walked at the far end of Loweswater, from Fangs Brow back towards the seat on the coffin road.

Dougal's first ladder stile . . . we helped him up and down.

An initial fear of heights may have been why he sat still for the photo !

The classic view from the seat . . . looking down on Loweswater.

Each year there is less woodwork on the seat and it will need repairs again soon, probably replacing one day.

The last of the sun . . . it dipped below the horizon before it had chance to clear the slopes of Burnbank Fell

so the track back to the car was in the shade all the way . . . still the colours in the sky were nice !

- - - o o o - - -

The road over Whinlatter is open once again after a major re-build of the riverside supporting wall.

It was closed for three and a half months, opening just before Christmas.

While it was shut at the Braithwaite end the Forestry guys did a bit of clear felling of the trees further up near Cottage in the Wood.

The classic spring view from the Knoble Knott viewpoint car park.

In summer there are greener colours.

Autumn brings mists and mellow fruitfulness.

In Winter (or in a normal winter anyway) we can see snow on the Skiddaw Fells for up to three months a year.

The view from further up the road is only available if you stop the car and walk up the bank.

In recent years they started to clear a few trees on the opposite side of the road

but during a drive the pass over it was still difficult to see the fells from the road.

The mighty chainsaw has been in action and the forest at this point has recently been clear felled.

Today the view has been opened out and the cycle tracks no longer wind between thickets of green.

If you stop to admire the new view then take care as parking on the bend is difficult.

If you take in the view as you drive along don't get distracted and remember to turn the steering wheel to follow the tarmac.

There's no trees, curb stones or white lines to concentrate the mind as there used to be !

	- - - o o o - - -   Just to cheer you up . . . after re-opening the road a few weeks ago the council have been given extra money for flood damage, resurfacing and pothole repairs and they are shutting Whinlatter Pass again for 10 days !   - - - o o o - - -

To be fair . . . they are resurfacing the road through Braithwaite Village and not closing this section again.

They say the road will be left clear overnight and weekends and there will be access via Thornthwaite when they re-surface the roadway nearest the A66

Location plan showing the extents of a temporary road closure which has been put in place to allow Cumbria Highways to carry out carriageway repair works.  These works are expected to commence 21st January 2019 with an approx. duration of 10 days.

- - - o o o - - -

On to brighter things . . .

Quince and Medlar our favourite restaurant in Cockermouth, is celebrating 30 years in business this month

with a special "taster menu" of their popular food choices of recent years.

This was the menu and the starters when we dined at Colin and Louisa's vegetarian restaurant.

A plate of three mini mains (details above).