Winter's Arrival

Castelrigg Stone Circle - Whilst this field lies at some elevation,
the snow has not quite reached it yet.

Winter has arrived in the Fells so Scott and I had to venture out for some photos. Our flat faces the Whitehaven Harbour with the Irish Sea beyond and we are not able to see the fells from our home. I am always surprised, then, when I drive over a hill or round a bend and come face to face with these beautiful mountains. Capped in snow they are quite spectacular!

Out and About in the Lake District

Scott has always enjoyed taking photos and this past June we bought a new camera and lenses. He has had a fun time trying out his new camera whilst enjoying the beauty of the Lake District. On a Saturday we often drive to one of the lakes and do some hiking around. Occasionally we even expand our walks vertically and try going up the fells, although I will admit Scott is much more enthusiastic about that sort of walk than I! The last few weekends of autumn were quiet for us so we ventured out, Scott armed with his camera, and these photos are a few that he captured. Hope you enjoy them!

Dan and Jamie Visit!

First Stop: Castlerigg Stone Circle - You might recall this stone
circle is in the middle of sheep fields surrounded by the fells.

Just after we returned home from our cruise we were treated to a visit from Dan and Jamie! They spent a few days checking out the London sights, then boarded the train for the trip north. Scott and I picked them up at the train station and immediately set off showing them some of our favourite spots in Cumbria. They stayed with us for a few days and then we sent them off on a trip to the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness. At the end of the week Scott and I joined them for a fun weekend in Edinburgh where we visited Edinburgh Castle, the Palace at Holyrood, and even squeezed in a ghost tour which, of course, Dan and Scott termed "lame"! On Sunday Scott and Dan set off for a museum whilst Jamie and I managed to get in a little retail therapy. Jamie and Dan were treated to very little wet weather, a real novelty here in the UK. Here are some photos from their visit.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Next Stop: Derwentwater - We are still on our way home from 
the train station mind!

I showed off my UK driving skills (which are, at times, still quite debatable!) and took Jamie and Dan to Muncaster Castle, and Wastwater and Buttermere, two of our favourite lakes. One of the days I took them to Ravenglass where we boarded "The Ratty", the small gauge steam train that chugs along into the fells. We disembarked at Dalegarth Station, the end of the line, and hiked two miles through the fields and forests to Stanley Ghyll Force, a beautiful 60 foot high waterfall. 

Dan and Jamie on "The Ratty". 

This was taken along the pathway leading to the falls.

The falls at last! 

A couple of photos from Edinburgh...

We had a wonderful time with them and too soon they left to return home to America. We are looking forward to a return visit from them, and more visitors in the coming year!