Blencathra from A66

Always one of the finest views when entering the Lake District from the east along the A66. A fine winter’s day for our visit to Grasmere and Ambleside. Great low light, vivid greens and a landscape bathed in sunlight etched by dark shadows. Blencathra looked splendid with its cap of cloud despite the traffic on the A66.

After yesterday’s exploration around Penrith we wanted a day immersed in Lakeland scenery and we were amply rewarded. We parked up in the lay-by on the A591 outside Grasmere walking down the footpath into the village from where the second extra of Holm Crag was taken.

A coffee, browsing around William Heaton-Cooper’s gallery and a visit to the bookshop was rounded off by buying some new poles at Cotswold before setting of for a brisk walk along the lane of the western side of Grasmere where the first extra was taken.

The valley was rent by the sound of several F35 jets tearing up north over Dunmail Rise. We must have seen and heard a dozen of the today, making use of the fine weather.

There was time for a quick trip to Ambleside to call in at Cunningham’s to find trousers and over trousers for Susan. Both successful and Christmas presents to each other sorted. We will be using them before the big day.

We called in to see blipper Nick_T and his partner in their new house in Penrith which they have only been in a couple of weeks. A very enjoyable couple of hours.

We move on to Keswick tomorrow for three days with Adam, Jane and Brody. A very useful visit to Penrith which has really helped our plans to move up here.