Chobham Common in Autumn

Yesterday was an enjoyable day spent in the autumn sun on Chobham Common, for Tom. Some spectacular fungi, lichens and a lesser stag beetle (new to me) as well as good views of the usual bird species including Dartford warbler, green woodpecker, greater-spotted woodpecker, reed bunting and stonechat. 

An Epipactis helleborine, most likely the lax-flowered form of the broad-leaved helleborine.

Cladonia lichens with fruiting bodies.

A wide variety of lichens beneath the heather- some spectacular forms and shapes. 

Aleuria aurantia- orange peel fungus. 

Rameria stricta- upright coral. 

The last of the common darters. 

Lesser stag beetle.

Friars Crag, Derwentwater

I have a comission for a painting of Friars Crag, so although I have copious photos of the view from Friars Crag down the lake I have none with the seat in, so yesterday I went down to take photographs and walk  the dog. 

Keswick shore...

Lovely colours ....

Seat with a view. 

Views....

Latrigg, Keswick

 After going to Friars Crag yesterday, I went up Latrigg.... I can't remember having been up before and the views were good, despite the fact that the day was getting foggier. So, although rocky has been up it, it was another Wainwright for me. 

Looking over Keswick.

Derwentwater.

The flanks of Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite.

Skiddaw.

Atomspheric openings.

Receeding colours....

Admiring the view. 

Glass pebbles

Thanks to Roxy at RD Glass for squeezing in a glass session for me on the evening before lockdown! I have really enjoyed making my different glass waves, so I decided to make some pebbles that could be fused prior to incorporating them into my next wave ...and then with a few minutes to spare, I whacked out some Christmas trees that will become Christmas tree decorations.

My initial inspiration - the river Liza. 

One of my waves ...Click here for the detail

My ice wave....Click here for more information

My new 'pebbles', or they may end up as water or air bubbles,
 when I finalise the design, prior to firing. 

'Pebble' detail

Christmas trees prior to firing - they will have wire wrapped around them and this may have small beads threaded on ...we'll see....

 

Hardknott fort

On the way down from our walk up Harter Fell and Hardknott we walked through Hardknott Roman fort. It was actually really spectacular, set in a commanding view over Eskdale and really well preserved. According to English Heritage: The fort at Hardknott was established early in the second century AD: a fragmentary inscription, dating from the reign of the Emperor Hadrian (117–38), from the south gate records the garrison as the Fourth Cohort of Dalmatians, from the Balkans. The fort was demilitarised in the late 130s, when the Romans reoccupied southern Scotland, but was regarrisoned under Marcus Aurelius in the 160s; it was finally abandoned very early in the third century. Objects found around the fort suggest that thereafter its ruins offered temporary shelter to passing patrols and travellers.

The site...

Looking down Eskdale. 

Harter Fell and Hardknott

Friday was due to be dry (ish) with cloud lifting during the morning, so we set off for Eskdale and two more Wainwrights for the dog. The route was described as 'boggy' and given the recent downpours they weren't wrong - especially coming down off Harter fell to the top of Hardknott pass. The views from Hardknott were stunning and they probably would have been off Harter fell if it weren't for the low cloud. A great day out though, and remarkably warm for the time of year. 

Setting off along the wall...Jubilee Bridge. 

Looking up Eskdale...

Towards  the summit of Harter Fell - some nice scrambly bits on the top. 

Descending to t he top of Hardknott pass as  the cloud lifted. 

Looking back across to Harter Fell.

Looking along the ridge from Hardknott pass to the peak of Hardknott itself - far right. 

Stunning views of Slightside, the Scafells, Crinkle Crags ...

..and round to Bowfell...

Just stunning! 

Descending towards Hardknott Fort.