The Red Kite is one of my favourite birds to spot when out walking.

They look majestic on a lovely sunny day… Sometimes they turn up in much larger numbers… Neil

I love this time of year, we’re not quite New England levels of colours but it’s still great to go walking in autumn. Went for about a 9 mile-ish walk this morning, weather was perfect and the scenery was just as good as ever.

Lovely 10km walk on a new route with friends today. Perfect weather, sunny but cold. Trying out my new ultra-collapsible poles that I’m taking to Cyprus at Christmas. Very pleased with them. I even remembered to take a posy watch pic…and we ended up in the pub. Bœuf bourguignon when I got home, and England won 5-0. Good day!

I’ve got home earlier from a few days away in Keswick. Didn’t get any hill walks in but had a saunter round Derwent Water early one morning while Mrs Iain was getting ready.

@iain
Familiar scenery there Iain.

Various views of Maiden Moor, Cat Bells, Causey Pike, Castle Crag and maybe a peek of Grisdale Pike in the distance.

Neil

@nbg well spotted. I’m afraid Grisdale didn’t come out from under the clouds all day.

iain wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 9:38 pm @nbg well spotted. I’m afraid Grisdale didn’t come out from under the clouds all day.

Grisdale is not a favourite of Mrs nbg. It’s apparently my fault that she was blown off her feet near the summit and ripped her trousers and whilst picking her up, her seat pad flew out of a side pocket on my pack.

Neil

Whilst out walking on Monday I was choughed to watch a pair of Choughs feeding.

A poor resolution iPhone pic, but such red shiny beaks and legs. Both were ringed (binoculars gave a much better view than an iPhone!) Neil

iain wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 8:10 pm I’ve got home earlier from a few days away in Keswick. Didn’t get any hill walks in but had a saunter round Derwent Water early one morning while Mrs Iain was getting ready.

Do I remember correctly from my childhood that there is or was a pencil museum in Keswick? I believe it had the world's tallest pencil at the time, which was also taller than me (at the time). Beautiful pictures.

^^^^ There is indeed a pencil museum in Keswick but I’ve not been since I was about 10 years old on a school trip. We went while on an activity week staying in a local hostel.

I don’t remember a tall pencil but do recall one that concealed a map which was used to help POWs escape Germany in WW2.

nbg wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 10:13 pm Whilst out walking on Monday I was choughed to watch a pair of Choughs feeding.

By pure coincidence I also saw a pair of Chouffes while in Keswick. I took a photo for a colleague who’s a bit of a connoisseur of these to show how big they grow in the Lake District.

I don’t remember a tall pencil but do recall one that concealed a map which was used to help POWs escape Germany in WW2.

You can buy modern reproductions of these, they also have a miniature compass. Sadly they are made in China rather than Cumberland/Cumbria.

Surely no visit to Keswick is complete without calling in Friars.

iain wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 6:47 am ^^^^ There is indeed a pencil museum in Keswick but I’ve not been since I was about 10 years old on a school trip. We went while on an activity week staying in a local hostel.

I don’t remember a tall pencil but do recall one that concealed a map which was used to help POWs escape Germany in WW2.

I remember having Derwent/Lakeland pencils. I assume they’re related.

@Amor Vincit Omnia yes, they are the company that’s based in Keswick. The museum is on the site of their factory but I’m not sure if they are still made in the town.

The museum is on the site of their factory but I’m not sure if they are still made in the town.

Made in Workington. I assume that Keswick being in a National Park caused problems - planning, traffic congestion etc. but that's just a guess.