Blencathra from A66

Today must rank as one of the most enjoyable journey’s north in a very long time. From Northampton we joined the M6 and motored north to Tebay stopping only for a coffee. Roads were quiet, smooth and dry. Only lingering evidence of any snow huddled along hedges, cowering under trees and loitering in creases and folds of the hills.

The section through the Howgills was beautiful with snow etching the landscape, something that was repeated as we travelled along the A66 toward Keswick.

Teabay services was interesting. A tasty meal which could have been hotter and we purchased some Herdwick mutton chops for later in the week. One very large minus was the complete absence of scones. We had to make a detour to Cranston’s in Penrith to find supplies.

The indistinct light and snow lines created a landscape reminiscent of a mono Wainwright sketch: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d1/0c/27/d10c272e5cc52410cb3be14eb47b32c1.jpg so that’s what I’ve done to the original rather colourless original.

Good to be back in the apartment we stayed in last September. According to the visitors book we’re the first this year and there were only two sets of visitors since we were last here. That can’t be right?

The forecast is not great this week but we’ll do what we can and we’ve friends to see and walks to do with them. Pleasantly surprised how many of you liked yesterday’s supermarket trolley shot. Thank you.