In search of coltsfoot.

This time last year the snow was melting rapidly and flooded the field below us. With this in mind it was time for a walk up to Headend quarry, where there is usually a good display, of coltsfoot. 'Hope springs eternal' was the phrase that came to mind as there are currently very few signs of spring....and only a few buds of coltsfoot!

The first buds of the year............

This time last year ......

Rocky looking across the Solway; Skiddaw, head in the clouds, looking wintery.

Port Charlotte, Islay....

I've been waiting a while to print this ...and I was so pleased with it - the front at Port Charlotte is very black and white, so here's the print. I'm looking forward to hand colouring it when it has dried and am happy with the wave in the foreground. 

The photo..

The design ...in reverse.....

The lino cut ..........

The print ............

More prints .........

Port Charlotte Lighthouse, Islay

I'm pleased with this little linocut - it's the right size to use up offcuts of paper and will make a new card. Now to wait for it to dry, so I can hand colour.

Parton - a quick nip out......

With the nights beginning to draw out, and the clocks go forward next weekend (Yeh!), Steve nipped down to Parton after work...    Rocky was delighted to be down there again and Steve relieved to find a marble! 

The prized marble! ....not that we are competative! 

The beginnings of the sunset ...and nice clouds.

Buttermere oil painting

Following the walk around Buttermere ....here's the oil painting (60cm x 60cm). I enjoyed the crags of Haystacks - challenging though when you realise most of the painting is crag! I'll take a better photo tomorrow, when it's a better light,  as it should make a nice new card.

Icicles and spray - Crummock Water.

The ice was superb today. Slippery underfoot, but the waterfall off Mellbreak was great. Also, because if the wind the waves were being whipped up and rolling down the lake - where they met the shore they spray froze instantly!

Round Crummock Water walk

With a similar forecast to yesterday the tops were out of question, so we went back to Buttermere and this time walked around Crummock Water. There were very few people out and the ground was pleasantly frozen - it would have been distinctly boggy otherwise. Superb views and nice to see a wheater - maybe spring isn't too far off!

Looking down Crummock Water as we drove down to Buttermere.

Gorgeous belted-Galloway cattle.

Cold but glorious.

Looking up Crummock Water towards Buttermere.

Looking back up Crummock Water from the southern end.