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Back home and back to local walks this week.  The weather has been very changeable, Shakespearian you could say (bard to verse)

so this is a series of pictures to show that the weather does not always behave itself, even in The Lakes.

First walk back found us walking the old Mosser track and diverting up onto the lower slopes of Darling Fell.

This is Dylan by the holly trees above the old quarry.

Very overcast with a damp breeze so visibility up the Buttermere Valley was not brilliant.

Still, it was nice to get out and enjoy the views even on a poor day.

Looking back down on the western end of Loweswater as we try and tire out the dogs (no chance).

- - - o o o - - -

After an overnight gale on the 9th we awoke to snow on the high fells.

I take the dogs on a stroll down the gated road to the lake and back.

The sheep are looking hopefully in my direction for a bonus bag of feed after the cold night (no chance again).

Looking up the length of Crummock Water from the Pump House.

Back through Lanthwaite Woods where the National Trust have been thinning the trees.

The paths and tracks in the upper part of the woods are a bit muddy as a result.

- - - o o o - - -

On Friday Ann and I took the dogs in the car for a slightly longer walk up Ling Fell.

This is the old station buildings as we turn off the A66 at Dubwath.

For Ling Fell we parked on the top road above Brumston Bridge in the Wythop Valley.

Setting off on the coffin route that spirals up Ling Fell

Ann is slightly ahead because I forgot my hat and gloves and went back to fetch them from the car.

I was also delayed by taking a picture looking down on the old Bassenthwaite Lake Station

and the numerous contractor's vehicles parked nearby.

Sunshine on the wooded Embleton fells and on the plantation on Watch Hill in the background.

Looking back along the track to Skiddaw which is bathed in sunshine.

Zooming in on the snow covered 3053 ft summit, the third highest mountain group in the Lake District.

It's diminutive neighbour, but still a favourite short walk of ours, Binsey at just over 1460 feet high.

To the west, the cloud system for the next Atlantic low pressure system is slowly making its way our direction . . . hence the lack of sun.

It doesn't bother Dougal . . . he's found an old sprig of heather to play with . . . it is 'Ling' Fell after all.

Ann shelters briefly alongside the tall trig point on the summit.

It's a lazy wind today . . . it wants to blow through you rather than take the longer route around the outside.

With the loss of the sun, the snow covered fells are suddenly looking a lot colder.

Since our last visit the cairn-faries have been and have rebuilt the summit cairn rather nicely.

The only problem is that large stone  half way up the cairn used to make a nice seat to sit on while taking in the surroundings.

It's rather cold on top of Ling Fell to sit and enjoy the view anyway . . . so we are on the move instead.

This is the now cold looking summit of Skiddaw with Ullock Pike in the foreground.

Skiddaw Little Man looks equally cold, and will be especially if the wind up there is strong.

It will certainly be blowing a lot more enthusiastically up there than it is down here.

We head on and lose height as we take the path directly down the other side of Ling Fell.

The track at the bottom will take us back to the car.

The trees planted here a few years ago have grown reasonably well.

Time to take the plastic guards off now I would think.

The old farm of Burthwaite down below the track.

Round full circle, back to the start of the coffin road which can be seen heading off up the fell to the left.

The car is parked on the roadside just down to the right.

- - - o o o - - -

Yesterday Storm Brendan worked its way across the country.

The first named storm of the year left Loweswater rather wet and soggy  to say the least.

These are pictures from today's walk 24 hours later.

The River Cocker is flowing well but not overflowing as it leaves the lake and makes its way down past Lanthwaite Woods.

One of the gentle swimming pools in the river is full to capacity and the paths muddy.

Time to head home and download the photos and make a warming cup of something.