Eskdale

Here are a couple of lambs we saw yesterday which had just been born, barley able to stand, the mother is licking one of them clean. Another mother's lamb looks on with interest. These are very late and must be one of last ones this year.

Set off from Birker Fell yesterday on a sunny, but windy day, with the skylarks singing their hearts out and a couple of swifts swooping, the first of our summer visitors we would see this day. Walked through the fields of sheep and lambs and onto the fell side. The views of the hills were very clear as we headed for Stanley Gill which had plenty of water rushing down after a week of rain. Here was our second summer visitor from Africa a male Yellow Wagtail flying along the water and perching on rocks.
A pleasant walk down by the side of the Force and down to the River Esk. The stepping stones by the church were underwater so nobody was attempting to cross them.
Strolled along by the river bank and over the bridge to head for the Woolpack Inn where it was warm enough, just, to sit outside and have drink.
Suitably refreshed we headed back past Doctors Bridge
and back past bluebells, primroses and blossom, strolled by the river bank and retraced our steps up Stanley Gill as the afternoon clouds cleared and the day got warmer.