Skiddaw, Little Man and Lonscale Fell

An early start.....We had planned to go up Grisedale Pike from Revelin Moss, but after Storm Dave, the carparks and footpaths were all taped off with signs saying no public access. So with it being the day after Easter Monday, we had to make a quick decision to get somewhere and park before the hoards arrived. Plan B, which was rapidly formulated, was to go up Skiddaw. Skiddaw Little Man and Lonscale Fell. A great walk - a slog as always from the Latrigg carpark, but we got parked just in time, and the weather stayed fair- but very windy on the summits. Great clarity of air in the morning and unbelievably warm when we descended back into the valley. Rocky did brilliantly and insisted on barking and tugging at his lead on the tops. It was so nice to see him enjoying himself on a 'big top' after his worrying episode of vestibular disease at Christmas. Happy days. 

Looking across Keswick and Derwentwater...

And across to Blencathra.

The top of Skiddaw Little Man.

And on to Skiddaw itself.

Looking down onto Ullock Pike.

Quite a panorama!

The top of Skiddaw.

Looking across to Carrock Fell.

On to Lonscale Fell..

And zooming in to Thirlmere and Dunmail Raise as we descended.

Spring on the beach

 A cold and blustery morning, but spring has arrived on the coast..

Looking across the Solway to Criffel, in Scotland.

The Sand Martin bank..

They're back!

..and one of four Wheatears.

It was nice to see Golden Plover in full breeding plumage.....

As well as large numbers of Curlew.

The Razorbills are back...

A second trip for the year to St Bees Head. It was nice to see quite a few Razorbills, as well as good numbers of Guillemots. The spring flowers are just beginning and it was good to see seven Black Guillemots. 

The rookeries ..

With Guillemots...

Razorbills on the sea.

And ledges.

Distant Black Guillemots...

And closer.

Spring flowers: Bluebell, Red Campion, Thrift and Scurvy Grass.

Cow Green and grouse

After our walk along the river to Widdybank, we stopped at the Langdon Beck Hotel for lunch (a ham and cheese toastie - very nice and the dog got a treat  -a good handful of roast beef chunks - he was very happy!) We then walked up the road to see the Black Grouse before heading up to Cow Green carpark and a refreshing walk down to the dam, which not surprisingly was spilling over after the recent rain. 

Black Grouse.

And at Cow Green - Red Grouse.

Spilling...

And a distant view of a Short-eared Owl.

It's still winter in the dale!

With a decent day forecast amidst some fairly rubbish weather, we headed over to Teesdale. A glorious walk by the river Tees - not a lot to see, but good to hear so many Curlew babbling away and to see/hear displaying Peewits. Obviously the landscape is gorgeous too. So there was lots to see, just not as much of interest as in the summer. We parked at Hanging Shaw and walked down by the river to Widdybank. Sadly, we knew Rocky wouldn't make it round the full loop we normally do, as he wouldn't manage the scramble up Cauldron Snout: a good decision given the way he threw himself at, and over the styles! 

Looking back to Blencathra from the Hartside Pass.

The Tees and Whin Sill.

Oystercatchers.

Swaledales enjoying the sunshine.

The willows are only just in bud.

The Bird's-eye Primrose is showing signs of life.

Looking down the dale. 

Spring Gentian in bud.

And Bird's-eye Primrose in bud.

Blue Moor-grass in flower.

And a Small Tortoiseshell sunning itself - nice!

 

Colour!

With cold and wet forecast again, I thought I would photograph the garden before it all gets blown to bits again.