Our daughter and two of our grandsons are up on holiday for six days.

The weather is sunny but there's a cool easterly wind, but that doesn't stop them having a great week on the fells.

Here are our lower level family pictures from the first couple of days.

On their first day they don't need a big walk, but the dogs would appreciate a stroll.

Matt, Ann, Cathy and Alexander pause at Wainwright's Negative Signpost before heading for Harry's Pool.

Mellbreak is looking nice this afternoon.

The easterly wind are bringing clear air and good visibility.

Harry's Pool . . . sadly Harry is no longer with us but young Dougal is enjoying the water nevertheless.

First in is Boris, the darker springer Spaniel.

It is a race for Dylan and Boris to collect the sticks as they float across the pool.

Dougal steers clear of the darker and deeper water . . . it drops away to a depth of about 5 feet in the middle.

Most dog jumps usually end up as belly flops

but several of Boris's more exciting jumps ended up as full head-first dives and complete immersion.

Matt decided he wanted to cross to the other side so he contemplates the move.

Xander also wanted to cross . . .	. . . but mum wisely decided it really wasn't worth the effort.

A simpler return . . . Xander tries out his waterproof boots

but Matt feels a bit damp having ending up in the water up to his thighs . . . sadly no photo !!

- - - o o o - - -

From the pool we continue the walk along the Mosedale Valley bridleway.

The thought was to walk up towards the Holly Tree so as to enjoy the sunshine to the full today.

We walked up the valley till we saw the tree, a point which coincided with the start of a vague rising path to the centre of the fell.

The boys, full of energy, decided to strike out for the top.

We'll meet up with them again at the pub, so Cathy and ourselves walk slowly back down the track.

The boys are up there somewhere . . .

and will hopefully return shortly, down the front of the fell and firebreak, to this our outward track.

We'll head back first . . . no point in hanging about.

There's work to be done !

- - - o o o - - -

Monday morning, Cathy and Matt are up early . . . and out of the door for a brisk walk.

They left the house at eight and by ten o'clock they were enjoying a snack breakfast at Bleaberry Tarn,

two thirds of the way to the summit of Buttermere's Red Pike.

This was the WhatsApp photo that landed on our phones as we were enjoying breakfast down at Oak Cottage base camp.

 

After a traverse of the High Stile Ridge, Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag and Seat, they descended via Scarth Gap.

Disgustingly fit and rather happy to say teh least, they rolled in for lunch about one-ish . . . lunchtime.

Table set . . . we're just waiting for the photographer to come down from the bedroom vantage point.

After lunch it was time to relax . . . Alexander and Dougal pick a spot in the lawn.