Head

After a hearty breakfast we headed off up to the top end of Bassenthwaite lake where there was a nature reserve marked on the map - it turned out to be a boggy meadow with boardwalks around it. We spent some time watching little birds at the bird feeders. There were also some bird hides; a couple constructed from living willow, one hut made of a Viking model where a barn owl roosts, and this ancient Celtic style shelter. There was a wren living in the roof and there's a scary head on the top, presumably to scare away evil spirits. As to the head in the window, no comment!

On our way back we called in at Keswick, which was quite amazingly busy and congested, although all in a very compact area. We bought some nice hot pickles from Mr Vikki's stall in the market. Then it was back to Newlands for the big celebratory lunch - there were about 80 people there I think. The day slid effortlessly into the evening with birthday cake, more food to nibble and a seemingly endless supply of wine. I think the banjo may have been deployed at some point, but there were no major incidents.