© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number PU 100034184.

The weather has been wet and windy, even wintery and wild, not the best if you've booked a holiday in the Lakes these last ten days

but good if you are trying to use up all your W letters for a game of scrabble !

These photos start with the first welcome signs of spring, highlights of Dylan's birthday

and records just one of the many walks down to the side of Crummock Water that we've taken during the last week or so. 

Sticking to the forest tracks and paths often provides better weather protection than open fields in recent days.

It may have been cold and damp making the fields and garden quite waterlogged

but the days have been generally mild enough to encourage the new season snowdrops which can brighten the day.

The 23rd of January brings birthday celebration for Dylan . . . six candles this time.

A savoury cheese and carrot cake will not last long once the candles are blown out.

Thanks for the cards he'd like to say . . . or perhaps "hurry up with the cake " as he's waited long enough already !

Thanks to Sherran and Bill, Sophie and Chris and all those that sent birthday greetings.

- - - o o o - - -

Time for a walk to work off some of the calories . . .

With all the recent low cloud and rain, even some overnight snow and hail, the weather has left a wintery covering on the fells.

Low cloud has meant few good photographic opportunities of late, however the dogs will always stop for a quick portrait.

Today (Wed 29th) I have the camera phone to hand as we ventured down for a walk in Lanthwaite Woods.

- - - o o o - - -     The forecast was for drier conditions towards the end of the day so the dogs and I wait till later in the afternoon and set off on a figure of eight route around the forest tracks.     The consistently damp environment within the heart of the woods, especially down by the side of the river and amongst the fallen leaves, has allowed the mosses and fungi to grow profusely.   There's lovely thick mossy growth especially here on the skeletons of the fallen trees alongside the paths.     - - - o o o - - -

The big bend in the river leading down to one of the deeper swimming pools.

No swimming in this reflective pool on our muddy path.	Despite the rains the river level is still fairly low here at the small weir.

The main weir at the foot of the lake is likewise relatively low considering the state of the fields this week.

Water surges are due mainly to the waves on the lake.	"Are we crossing the bridge today ?"

" No . . . sorry . . . too windy out there "

Looking up the length of Crummock you can even see the wind whipping up the spray as another squall whistles down the lake.

Time to relax on the seat at the beach . . . for about 30 seconds this time.

The view from the large pine at the beach is looking grey today.	A sunny version of this view graces my mobile phone on a daily basis.

Behind the beach is an area of what can only be described as 'temperate rain forest'.

The fallen trees are as a result of the waterlogged ground and the close proximity to the open lake shore.

My figure of eight route brings me back to the big bend in the river.

What we call "Hunter Davies's swimming pool" as it is just across the fields from his old home, Grasmoor House.

Back to the active water measurement weir at the car park.

Under Scale Hill Bridge . . . taken from the car park in Lanthwaite Woods.

- - - o o o - - -

We're taking advantage of the poorer winter weather to get the house re-decorated by our trusted decorator Ron.

It has been twenty years since we bought the cottage and eighteen since we had most of  the current curtains and carpets installed.

Time for a slight change . . . I hope the furniture and colour scheme we've chosen will last another eighteen years.