Hallin Fell and Steel Knotts

Wow! A second consecutive day in the snow. With strong winds forecast for the tops we thought it best to stay low, so we decided on Hallin Fell for its spectacular views and Steel Knotts as the path goes from the same carpark - the carpark that is usually rammed and difficult to get too - not today though being in mid November. 

Hallin Fell summit.

Panorama looking up Ullswater .

Zooming in to Helvellyn and Catstycam.

A cracking view.

Plenty of evidence of frost heave on the path up Steel Knotts.

Quality snow.

The ridge towards Steel Knotts.

..and the summit.....

Looking further along the ridge...but we headed back - an tricky descent in winter conditions.

Rocky's walk

 A few photos of Rocky enjoying himself in the first snow of the winter ...Rannerdale Knotts.

Rannerdale Knotts

Oh yes! What a perfect snowy, blue-sky day! Slippery driving there, but was it worth it (I didn't drive though) ! A nice walk into the fells and along the ridge above the valley, that in 6 months will take on a bluebell hue. 

Heading up the valley...

Across Crummock.

Blue skies....

Wandope.

Looking up at the ridge that leads to Rannerdale Knotts.

The flanks of Grasmoor. 

Looking along the ridge.

Happy Rocky!

From the summit over Crummock

A panorama!

Wandope and Grasmoor.

Grey Phalarope

What a charismatic little bird! Bobbing around in a flooded field at the side of the A66 near Penrith - it clearly had never seen humans before!

Cornish Field Sketches....

Given it was November, we were really lucky with the weather - on the dry days! Sitting out on the cliffs painting in warmth was a real treaat! So here are the majority of my sketches: 

From Sennen to Land's End: 

Porthcurno: rather minimalist as I was desperate to photograph the waves!

And Lizard Point to Kynance Cove: 

The Lizard

One of our favourite walks and a must do when in the area. We arrived as only the third carpark (Cornwall is empty!), to the sound of the fog horn. With a good sea still rolling in, we walked along the coast to Kynance (obligatory pasty) and then back across the peninsula to Church Cove and back round the point to the carpark. As always a fabulous walk. 

The fog horn pops its head over the top...

Erosion on the cliff top has revealed a mass burial site, that probably related to a shipwreck. Apparently a young lad found a tooth and showed it to a National Trust volunteer who happened to be a dentist, which resulted in the discovery of the site. Further investigation and recording is planned for next year.

Hottentot Fig - fully in flower.

A gloriously lichen-covered wall.

And gloriously lichen-covered rocks.

Spectacular ...

White Spindles also known as Fairy Fingers.

Wafts of fog ...

Sketching outside in November - quality! 

And at a table with a pasty - even more quality!

We were treated to some spectacular flying displays by this Peregrine as it was being attacked by first, by a persistent Kestrel and then Choughs,

St Wynwallow's Church - The most southerly church in the UK, on the way to Church Cove.

Plums and Custard (fungus).

And back along the coastal footpath ...