Wansfell Pike and Baystones

So it was going to be damp today! We headed down to Ambleside to go up Wansfell Pike to knock off another Wainwright for Rocky. My thinking being - if it's wet the walk won't be popular and Stock Ghyll will be spectacular. Good thinking on both fronts. Luckily, I checked the route and found that Wansfell Pike isn't Wansfell according to Wainwright - apparently Baystones is ...I'd have been pretty annoyed if we'd missed the proper top ...anyway, a great walk, Ambleside - Wansfell Pike - Baystones - Nanny Lane - Troutbeck - Robin Lane - Ambleside. The light was superb, but the weather was fairly rubbish! 

Stock Ghyll

A brief rainbow...

In between the showers. 

Looking across to  the Langdale Pikes.

The wall from the summit of Wansfell Pike towards Baystones.

Baystones summit - only 13 Wainwrights left for the dog. 

Looking down Windermere. 

And looking towards Ambleside. 

Haweswater colours and waterfalls

 While walking around Haweswater yesterday the colours were stunning and the waterfalls full. 

Autumn colours: 

and waterfalls: 

Haweswater round walk

 The forecast was poor for the tops today, so we decided to do a walk we had been meaning to do for ages - a circular walk around Haweswater. It was 11.6 miles and enabled us to really enjoy the autumn colours. The very cold and prolonged hail showers were less enjoyable,but provided some dramatic light! It's amazing how different the colours were going down the lake (I know technically it's a reservoir, but I'm calling it a lake), with the 'sun' behind as as opposed to looking back up the lake, where it looked very wintery. 

We parked at the far end and walked down towards Naddlegate where you cross the Haweswater Beck before returning to  Mardale Head. Sadly you aren't allowed to walk across the dam. 

Photos looking looking north along the lake:

.... and looking back up the lake ... a more wintery feel....

Where did the summer go? ...sketches.

 It's over a month now since I did a painting outside ...so here's some from the summer holidays ...Covid made us stay local and appreciate how lucky we are! 

Caldbeck pond lino cut

It's been a while in development, a new lino cut of Caldbeck pond with Carrock Fell in the background....

The print.

One of the many photos ....

The process...

The plate...

The print drying...

Maryport slag banks

It doesn't sound very salubrious, but Maryport slag banks was a really nice walk. From Maryport we just headed west along the coastal path to 'Red Point'. Rocky the dog loved it , as the Maryport dogs and walkers are always so friendly and I really enjoyed photographing the colours and textures of the slag.

Looking across to Criffel in Scotland.

Red Point. 

Pinkfeet flying overhead.

Sanderling, ringed plover and turnstones on the shore.

And then the colouful, textural slag....

Maryport fish

A great morning waiting for the Chelaris and Silver Fern to land their catch...

Maryport ...

The Silver Fern and Chelaris ...

Colours and textures ...

..and fish ...such good value!