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Life still needs to go on and the dogs still need a walk, so with the concept of minimum contact in our heads

we drive to the side of Loweswater lake and set off up the old track above Myresyke.

It is a favourite local walk and will be quite suitable for the time available and the weather we have today.

The old Mosser Road . . . unfit for cars but fine for walking.

Signs of spring . . . thoughts are focused . . . but sorry not the camera.

The view back is of Carling Knott, Burnbank Fell and Holme Woods across Loweswater.

In the distance, devoid of all but the last cornice of snow, is Red Pike and Starling Dodd.

Between them and us are the two Loweswater Fells of Mellbreak and Hen Comb.

Jon's Seat . . . time for a quick sit and a customary (dog) treat if they are lucky.

Continuing on up the lane gives views of the Solway Coast, but turning right over a slightly rickety stile

means we double back towards views of Loweswater and Crummock, utilising the old quarry track.

Our path served a couple of small quarries to the left (by the stones) and also this one, set down to the right.

By leaving the main track early I found a small pony track to the quarry with occasional built up supporting walls.

Over there too is the smallest of quarry men's huts.

Roofless now but definitely a place of sanctuary of old, there are even alcoves which could have been old food cupboards.

"We know that if we make a funny face or continually look away it may spoil his picture of Mellbreak . . . he he he. "

The dogs set off for the top as I look back across the old quarry to the western end of Loweswater.

The holly tree further up is still rich in berries.

Our modest objective to day was the top of this bluff where you can see all three of our local lakes at the same time.

We can also look down on the trees that have been planted alongside Crabtree Beck between Darling and Low Fell.

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Time to turn around and we rejoin the quarry track.

Up here it has become a rather infrequently used footpath heading around the fellside towards Low Fell and Thackthwaite.

Back down to the first quarry, the old feeder and the stone heart.

The winter coats were not needed for any rain today, but have kept us protected from the cool northerly breeze.

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Next day, as the grip of the pandemic appears to be tightening, the weather relents slightly and releases its hold on winter.

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A cold Friday morning with a ground frost but clear blue skies . . . here in the north western Lake District.

Today's walk to celebrate the sunshine finds us down at the side of Crummock water.

Whiteside, Grasmoor, Whiteless and Rannerdale Knotts across Crummock.

The forecast is for high pressure and a dry sunny spell for us for the next week.

Time to do a few of those jobs in the garden . . . but beware, if you are doing the same, I feel the late winter frosts are not over yet.

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