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It's Christmas decorations time for Bassenthwaite Lake Station

where they are holding a "Murder on the Dis-Orient Express" mystery night.

We would be introduced to five fellow travellers from the theatre company, who would lead us through the evening

and join by about thirty other guests plus the excellent staff from the Station.



All aboard the Orient Express, waiting at the platform.	My partner for tonight, Julie, is suitably dressed for the event.

There were going to be six actors, but sadly Mr Hercules Pinot the famous detective, had been murdered in his locked railway carriage

whilst we were all on the train. He's been stabbed, strangled, struck over the head and shot . . . but seemingly died of poisoning !

The five travellers explained how they all could have wanted him dead but why they in particular couldn't have possibly done it.

Four of them were telling the truth and one was lying . . . it was our job tonight to solve the mystery as the famous detective was 'dead' !

We were entertained to a four course fine dining menu on board while we pondered the clues

and listened to more information about the case.

Three of the actors and a guest (centre left) stop for a photo call.

I'll not give the game away but the murderer was a 'colourful' character !!

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We've experienced the second heavy frost of the season this week here in Loweswater.

The shadow from the trees allows the frost to last into late morning on the fields of the village.



In the garden the frost was also crisp and deep.	Storm Arwen brings snow to the east coast of England.

The red brick townscape was courtesy of my daughter Jenna in Sheffield. We had none of the white stuff here in the west.

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However the residue of the storm brought snow showers down the west coast and into Cumbria the following day.

This was the view on the Sunday as I looked out onto the garden.

Not much produce coming from the garden at present but there are still potatoes, kale, sprouts and beetroot.

The paddock is looking cold.

When the weather improves the 'flower meadow' needs another grass cut.

Our first visitor of the day didn't bother opening the gate, he just jumped up and sat on it for a moment.

Quick photos, through the double glazing, taken on my mobile phone.

This singular but thankfully regular visitor, come to eat the hazel nuts and other food on offer in the garden.

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I have another visitor today . . .my friend Loes.

Time to take the dogs for a walk and Loes is more than happy for a walk down to the shore of Crummock Water.

A choice of footpaths as we cross the field towards Mellbreak.

The blue on the sheep is a smit mark which identifies the ownership of the sheep.

They also add a little colour this rather black and white morning.

No smit marks on this one . . . just a red collar and tag.

These will be Richard's not Andrew's sheep, by virtue of their markings.

Crossing Park Beck on the bridge to the lake . . . the atmosphere is one of mist and cloud.

Looking the other way, down stream towards the lake and Gasgale Valley.

The bulk of Whiteside and Grasmoor are bothy lost in the mist.

The lake the surface is flat calm this morning as there's no breeze at all.

The heavy winds of the last few days have ended.

The fence seems to hover over the lake.

In truth only half of the fence is exposed, the bottom half is the reflection.

Tree stumps and Grasmoor . . . as there's the suggestion that the weather clearing.

There's even a hint if mist rising off the lake,

but the weather forecast even suggested we should have have some sunshine by now ?

Around the Peel headland, looking across to Sandy Yat and the wintery slopes of Mellbreak.



A damp looking Merganser duck on the lake scratches his head.	There's hardly a ripple on the lake around here by the stones.

We meet up with this Newfoundland and its owner on the beach.

This size of dog makes even my two seem small !

Follow the fence line in the direction of Rannerdale Knotts.

A band of cloud seems to be settling part way up the slopes of Mellbreak.

Snow sits on the top of the boulders down by the lake.

The gate out onto the open fell lacks its normal bright backdrop.

Loes and one of the dogs will have to provide the colour today.



Dougal has lost his ball but found a snowball.	He cracks it open to reveal a favourite toy.

As we carefully climb the snowy bank our views becomes more extensive, including Lanthwaite Woods, The Peel and the fells.

There's also the hint of sunshine and the first of some colour in the sky.

Level ground once more and time to look back at the brighter fells.

Grasmoor emerges out of the gloom and stands clear of a layer of cloud that bathes its lower slopes.

The cloud spread across the valley but it is not apparently moving as it does sometimes.

. . . it gives the Lorton Valley an apparently low headroom.

When the sun is obscured the mountains return to a black and white.

We join the road beyond Low Park and head up to St Bartholomew's Church.

The Kirkstile Inn and the 'Negative Signpost'.

Can I repeat the old joke about the church and the pub seen in this sequence . . . yes . . . "it's thirst after righteousness" !

As we walk back to the cottage the sunshine improves further and it is all getting quite colourful.

The sunshine is two hours later than forecast but very welcome nevertheless.

Low Fell has lost its shroud of mist.

Even the phone box seems to shine in the bright light.

Gillerthwaite - The Old Post Office

Rose Cottage - the old School House and shop.

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As the short afternoon drew to a close the warm yellows of the setting sun brought subtley different colour to the fells.

Time to make sure that the dogs are in and the door are all shut to keep the warmth in the house.

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Post Script: This was the sunrise at eight o'clock today (Mon 29th).

By close of play Monday afternoon the mild conditions had melted all the snow in the valley

and those sheep were once again munching away at the green grass.

Normality returns, to this end of the valley with electricity anyway, the other end will hopefully have normality restored this evening or tomorrow !

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