Following the gathering of over 450 dogs in Scotland, today we just have a small gathering of 4 'Gunnerdale' retrievers here in the first week back. 

Friends who used to have Dylan's brother Mac, are staying in Loweswater and we join them on several walks in the week.

They now have Dylan's two sisters (same kennels, same parents, different litters) to accompany them on their walks.

"A family resemblance "

. . . and a local walk to Crummock lakeside.

- - - o o o - - -

Next day we packed four large retrievers into the back of one car and headed for Rannerdale.

Look carefully you can see both John and I taking pictures.

When they exit the car they seem to spread out and take more space.

We'd parked at Cinderdale, in order to return on a slightly wider, round walk.

This meant that we had a short road walk along the road past Rannerdale Cottages and the farm, towards Hause Point.

"Making silage as the sun shines"

Rather than let the grass dry completely to hay, the farmer is bailing it early to create green silage instead.

This will mature inside the black, shrink-wrapped bales to make rich winter fodder.

At Hause Point the dogs headed for the water in order to give the sub-aqua divers a good send off.

We however headed up above the water level, as we started our climb up towards the summit of Rannerdale Knotts.

A photo-opportunity at the first rocky outcrop.

John (obscuring Red Pike), Maggie and Lilly, Lisa, then Dylan and Dougal.

Looking down to Crummock from the top of the steps,

where we get a view of Low Fell and a first sight of Loweswater.

A overseas (Dutch?) family followed us onto the outer crags as we continued the short distance to the summit.

After the summit we head on along the ridge.

The descent from the rock outcrop that forms the second "Knott" can be tricky, but is not a problem with care . . . just pick a good line.

Robinson and High Snockrigg across the Newlands Pass, as we walk the full length of Low Bank today.

At the end we'll double back and head down the valley behind Rannerdale.

Always a nice view down to Low Fell and Loweswater.

The slight haze has hidden the distant views of Scotland that you sometimes get from this high up.

Once we reach the fell wall the path runs parallel till we reach the gate.

Here we've crossed over the bridge of the combined streams and are walking a path more familiar in bluebell time.

The bluebells are gone and the summer bracken has taken over.

This would be the same view in a May in a normal year.

By walking the upper path through the bluebell fields we pass high above the farm and Rannerdale Cottage.

The track brings us out at Cinderdale once again . . . brilliant planning even if I say so myself !