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Three weeks of self-isolation completed, mostly sane and coping due to the fine weather.

We've got the food cupboards sorted more or less, with a cash and carry collection from Caterite (they normally serve the pubs and restaurants)

and a first time delivery from Sainsburys this week.  Lorton Shop has been useful too for fresh milk, eggs and local veg.

A big thank you also to Oakhurst Garden Centre who have re-opened on a delivery-only basis

and supplied the compost for the greenhouse bed, some plants and extra seeds.

Meanwhile back at home I've taken the chance to sweep out the shed and take out the saw bench to cut a few logs.

[ If you haven't seen this type of saw horse before it is brilliant, as the chainsaw locks in place and then hinges to cut the logs

No carrying the weight of the saw and no bending down to hold and cut logs.]

Consequently, after chopping and stacking, we're ready for next winter and it is only April !

The only problem with sweeping out the shed is that you find tins of paint in lost corners, to remind you of jobs you've not yet done.

The shed needed painting again as it hasn't been done for a few years . . . first to move all the items stacked around the outside.

What with the logs, the painting and the sunshine . . . I'm in need of a good cup of tea (again).

The other job which fell into place whilst in the shed was checking the outside freezer for last year's garden produce,

in order to make sure we finish it all before this year's fruit and veg come on-line.

These are the freezer containers from the last few weeks to go into temporary storage. Hopefully they will be re-filled in the coming months.

- - - o o o - - -

On Wednesday afternoon I took Dylan and Dougal on a walk to the Lone Pine

just visible above the woods in the left hand picture.

The large manhole cover in the field is where the Foulsyke supply pipe leaves the main Ennerdale Water Pipeline that flows through the valley.

The hole in the turf . . . well they could have made a better job of the re-filling !

Above the wall is a very old artificial pond but the water has broken the retaining wall and nature has reclaimed the triangular pool.

It features as a walled enclosure on the map but is not named.  Only local word-of-mouth gives a clue to its use as a fish pond for the "Grand House".

At the top of the next field, in front of that grand house, we reach the top road.

Two cyclists stop during their local exercise regime to admire the view.

A note on the chair says

"By all means use the seat but it is not being cleaned by the owners, so be aware that others use it too"

I talked to our neighbour over the wall when I went over to Looking Stead, my eye caught by their lovely Cherry Tree.

With no local events at present, it is nice to stop and chat once in a while and keep in touch with neighbours.

On the track around the back of Foulsyke and heading for the tree . . .

I know there are lots of them, but I'm looking at the one up on the fell side.

The southern end of the Low Fell ridge, the classic viewpoint up the Buttermere Valley is from the top.

Walking up above Whinny Ridding Wood and we meet up with the ponies . . . or should I say they come over and met up with us.

No polo sweets to give them this time, but for the first time ever one of them tries a dog-treat biscuit.

It went down well enough that they had a second.

Normally they are not fussed, but the dogs would have been had they known what I was giving away !

The classic Crummock Water and high fells view, as seen from above the woods.

We're 'out of the woods now' normally implying an easing of difficulties.

Today it just means we're back into the warm sunshine.

More tree planting in the small field alongside the Vicarage.	Stepping stones over what today is dried mud.

Rose Cottage and the main Quarry field plantation at the end of our walk.

- - - o o o - - -

Following Richard Elder's comments on the previous "Boathouse and Cutters" page I went further to investigate the sighting.   Sure enough I found other examples of the 'flour' this time in full bloom due to the spring sunshine. It had beautiful fluted edges to the white petals and a lovely dandelion-type pistil in the middle of one of the mature rings.   On checking the flower book says it should bloom on or about 1st April but it has obviously been delayed by the Covi-19 lock down. An interesting find . . . thanks Richard.   - - - o o o - - -

Finally two from the garden . . . first another "visitor" or should I say "resident" of the flower bed, a delightful field mouse.