only shallow

Another glorious September day. We ditched the chores, packed a picnic and headed into the Lake District. The car wound along the narrow stone walled lanes, the hills and mountains unfolding around us. Passing through the hustle and bustle of busy Coniston, the Old Man loomed over us. Then down into the Elterwater valley for a walk along the shore. Em skipped happily alongside the babbling river, stopping now and then to explore little beaches and knots of tangled tree roots. Leaving the woodland through the little wooden gate we stepped from the dappled shade into the wide water meadows. Not much further we found our picnic spot, right on the lake bank overlooking lily pads and pale purple asters. Em paddled in the shallows with the minnows. We all enjoyed the heat of the sun.