North Lakes skyline in the lockdown, Cumbria
North Lakes skyline in the lockdown

Snow on Grisedale Pike, Cumbria
Snow on Grisedale Pike (791 m.)

Taking advantage of a sunny interval in a “Four seasons” day for a walk from my new front door to halfway up the local mountain, Skiddaw (931 m.). Sunshine, snow, fog, gales and heavy rain all on this one day in late March.
With only a very limited number of other hikers on this usually populous route (because the #stayathome legal lockdown was still in force), it was possible to sit and enjoy the views without having to stray too far from the path. With an apple and a couple of locally baked hot cross buns.
The guy in rugby shorts carrying a well-trimmed log told me he was doing it to make his day “more interesting”. He was last seen on the skyline on the path at about 650 m., still going upwards.
The rain came in while my Coq au Vin du Vaucluse was cooking but my work of the past weeks meant I could enjoy it in relative comfort.

Snow on Grizedale Pikes, Cumbria

Bruntholm Wood, Cumbria

Bruntholm Wood, Cumbria
Bruntholm Wood

Blencathra
Blencathra (868 m.)

Bruntholm Wood, Cumbria

Derwent Water, Keswick
Derwent Water, Keswick

Great Dodd and Clough Head
Great Dodd (856 m.) and Clough Head (726 m.)

Skiddaw path

Skiddaw path

Memorial to Skiddaw shepherds, Edward Hawell and his son Joseph
Memorial to two Skiddaw shepherds of the nineteenth century, Edward Hawell and his son Joseph, noted breeders of prize Herdwick sheep.

Skiddaw Little Man
Skiddaw Little Man (865 m.)

Great Dodd and Clough Head
Great Dodd (856 m.) and Clough Head (726 m.)

Skiddaw and rain

Coq au vin
Coq au vin