Respects

On Monday morning, Malcolm and I set off for Windermere. It is some 14 years since we had the sad task of scattering Malcolm's Father's ashes on Orrest Head - the small fell that overlooks the town and lake - so we like to pay our respects when we're in the area. Unusually, it was pretty quiet on the top and although it was rather dull and cold, at least it wasn't raining. We glimpsed the lake through the trees on the way up.

In the distance, small patches of snow were still hanging around on the tops of Crinkle Crags (it would be added to in spectacular fashion on Wednesday morning.)

Described as one of the finest viewpoints in the Lakes, Orrest Head certainly lives up to it's reputation, even on a dull morning in April.

Below us as we stood contemplating the scenery, we were also treated to the sight and sound of two F15 Eagle fighter jets as they practiced low-flying through the valleys.
It's a very nice place to choose for a last resting place.

We still had plenty of time to spare, so we moved on, down to Bowness-on-Windermere, to get a closer view of the water. As usual, it was well populated with swans, geese, ducks and gulls, on the shore.

This Black-headed Gull was enjoying the view too...

... and it's not a bad view at all!

We had a short stroll along the lakeside, looking over to Belle Isle. It is the largest of Windermere's Islands and the only one to have been inhabited (indeed, the Roman governor of Ambleside built his villa there). Belle Isle Round House now dominates the view and is still a private residence for the Curwen family who have owned it and the island since 1781.

Still more to come...