Contrasts

Arriving at Sunbiggin Tarn this morning the sky bore more than a little hint of threat - and as we set of the bitter wind carried flurries of snow. We'd decided on a round of the bields* that are a beautiful feature of Little Asby Common (along with nearly 200 sites of archaeological interest). Our pace was brisk and we chose to set off in the direction of the wonderfully named Mazon Wath - so with our backs to the wind we at first didn't notice the clouds breaking and the wind dropping - but as we tuned to head North and to the curved bield the sky was turning a fabulous blue - and the sun breaking through - so I've added a picture of that in the extras. 
We made our way via the zig-zag bield over to the arrow beild - and then back to the car via Howes Well - a great couple of hours on what turned into a glorious day.

*A bield is a place of shelter or protection - usually little more than a wind break - in this case for sheep up on this exposed high moor - though it does make a good lunch stop too!