Sticking with the policy of attempting walks with easy access from main roads, I joined with a good friend for a seasonal trek up the Old Man of Coniston.

Some of the going was tough in the power snow, and it was definitely a case of both Andy and I getting kitted out in full winter gear… ice axe at the ready! It was actually more slippery lower down where the snow and ice were a little more polished from the melting and refreezing.

We were treated to some lovely light gently lifting some of the snowscapes as well as some other interesting lumps and bumps that only snow can bring to life. Not least of these were duck-like footprints at the highest levels which seemed to defy explanation to start with – surely footprints should be going into the snow, not sticking out!? Evidently mother-nature had some different ideas with these and after previous walkers had compacted snow underfoot, and the wind had blown away surrounding powder snow, these inverted impressions were left as monuments. I have to say, I was quite taken by them.

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Everytime I go somewhere in the Lakes I haven’t been for a while, after some deliberation I decide it’s my favourite place, with the best views or the most impressive scenery, only to change my mind the next time out! Yes, I know, very fickle!

However, the scenery in the Buttermere-Crummock valley must surely be some of the best, with the high fells rapidly jutting up from the lake shore on all sides. Lots of drama but with two very different lakes a lot of contrast too.

Melbreak is a fell, remarkably, I don’t think I’ve ever climbed so this break was as good a time as any. The stillness of the lower levels with a bit of thawing was a misleading introduction to conditions higher up where icey arctic gales blew the snow around with force and made just standing still to take photos quite a challenge… so please forgive a little camera movement!

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It seemed that the weather forecasters got the forecast wrong every day over the Christmas period, but on this day the dreary start paved the way for what looked set to be stunning sunset so I headed to Bothel to try and make interest of the Wharrels Hill wind turbines.

In the event, some thicker cloud masked the sunset but there was enough colour in the sky and atmospheric blue and tinge from the snow to make these a few favourites before it got too cold to hang around!

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Once the fog in the previous blog had cleared, it was safe to head into the Lakes.

With the forecast of cloud on the tops, I opted for a simple low level walk, and at about 8miles not too long to get my feet used to my winter boots that hadn’t been worn since last winter. Plus, with country roads in Cumbria only passable with a 4×4 at that stage it needed to be something with easy access from the main road. I opted for a stroll up and around St John’s in the Vale; in normal conditions this is a stunning little valley and it lived up to expectations with it’s snow-look.

I hadn’t really thought too much of the church on-route, but as I reached it and came to the education centre happy memories of childhood flooded back as I realised and remembered having a junior school overnight trip there. Nothing seemed to have changed, although the hill down to the farm (where we had to collect milk fresh from the cows, you would never get away with that these days!) was easier in the dry. I then had a mile or so off-track, and some more memories came back… that trudging through drifted snow makes for a very slow walking pace. Fortunately the scenery more than made up for that.

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Whoever thought it a good idea to have 24hours in a day was wrong, there should be at least 26!

As I write this blog, I realise it’s quite some time since the first one. It’s been full-on since then, the run-up to Christmas, Christmas itself then the start to 2010, including the annual SWPP convention in Hammersmith, London. The convention was wonderful, as always; a great chance to see and hear some of the best names in photography in the Masterclasses, too many ways to spend money in the Tradeshow (!), but best of all the opportunity to meet some familiar and new faces, socialise, chat photography, chat business and share ideas. It was fabulous to see everyone.

Photography wise, the wintery spell throughout the Christmas period provided a transformed landscape for my eyes to feast on. I spent most of it with family and friends, enjoying Cumbria in all it’s white glory.

Some of the conditions were pretty harsh – like most of the UK we wrestled with constant sub-zero temperatures which meant ice was a permanent challenge and, like the carol, snow had fallen snow on snow. I turned back from venturing into the Lake District on my first attempt as fog descended and the road conditions attracted only the fool-hardy, and made-do with a foggy Carlisle instead… but with hindsight that was a smart move, as there were plenty of photo opportunities there too.

I’ve changed the watermarking too, with help from the very cool Mogrify Lightroom Plug-in, I hope you like it as much as me!

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