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Another glorious sunny day but there's an edge to the temperature as a cool easterly blows across the valley. 

After a leisurely day we head out for a walk late in the afternoon, our late start time being confused

by the bright sunshine and the springtime clock recently going forward an hour.

No problem breakfast was late, lunch was late so supper can be a moveable feast.

Ann and I set off along the road to Scale Hill Bridge.

It is so quiet we don't have the dogs on a lead, though they are not allowed to stray far due to the occasional fast but silent cyclist.

Closer at hand the hedgerow is starting to sprout new life in the sunshine.

There are fresh leaves on this sycamore growing in the roadside hedge.

The River Cocker at Scale Hill Bridge.

The trees of Lanthwaite Woods hide the clear summit of Brackenthwaite Hows above.

Over the back we can just see the top of Whiteside and, to the right, Grasmoor.

Looking at the river on the other side as it disappears beneath us under the bridge.

Due to the lack of rain recently the water level is really low.  Normally those shingle banks are hidden under water.

The reason the Scale Hill car park exists here is that it was built on an old spoil heap.

The addit dates to the mid-19th century and the lead content of the mine waste never really allowed vegetation to grow.

When tourism increased and a car park was suggested, this space was still barren and just needed a little leveling and the car park was born.

[ The main Loweswater Mines shafts were located at Netherclose and Moss Cottage, a few hundred yards away on the other side of the river.]

Cut timber line the track, ready to be hauled away once life returns to normal.

We take the riverside track in preference to continuing on the forest track.

The low river level is apparent once more by the exposed tree roots and more shingle banks.

The first swimming pool (Hunter Davies's old pool) has a sandy beach today.

The river level must be a foot below normal to expose that much coarse river sand.

It is a lovely afternoon

and when we are sheltered from the cool breeze the temperature climbs nicely.

Time to entertain the children . . . I mean dogs . . . so the tennis ball flies high in the air.

The retriever sets off to retrieve.

Nearly there . . .	. . . the monster from the deep emerges with the ball.

I give Dylan a chance by restraining Dougal by the collar.

Success as Dylan has chance to swim for the ball.

I let go the coiled spring and Dougal flies off in pursuit.

After a bit of gentle inter- doggy persuasion, it is usually Dougal who makes landfall with the ball in his mouth !

Dylan doesn't seem to mind, he's so laid back in that respect.

The Crummock and Buttermere Valleys are well supplied with memorial seats

and we take advantage of another one for a few minutes . . . well time is plentiful at present so why not.

Thanks to the family of GW and BW.

Back through the mixed woodland using the forest track this time.

It's just a short walk back along the road towards home now, passing an early flowering cherry at Jenkin House.

Gillerthwaite and the sheep means we are nearly home.

The young lambs are about three weeks old now and getting very stocky.

This one must be a week of so younger by the look of it.

- - - o o o - - -   At the head of the page I called this set of photos "The Boathouse and the Cutter" thinking you might pick up on a nautical theme and spend time looking for a sailing boat on the lake.   No chance . . . the cutter we found was a set of three pastry cutters, discarded in the hedgerow still with shop Sellotape holding them together. Often we pick up small bits of litter thrown from cars or bikes but a set of pastry cutters ?   Answers as to what they were doing there please, written on the back of a £10 note and posted to us at the website or by email of course if getting out is a problem at present.   If you're local and they are yours just say . . . we've kept them safe.   - - - o o o - - -

A seat with a view . . . but also close to the hedge which offers a quick exit corridor if necessary.

He came and went three or four times and was with us for ten minutes or so . . . delightful.

Above him, this rather striking male blackbird enjoying the smaller seed and cereals on the table.

A lovely deep black plumage, orange beak and a bright yellow eye surround.

- - - o o o - - -

So it has been a busy two days, lots of jobs done and plenty of fine weather to be outdoors doing them.

You've also sent us photos of your recent days . . .