Stillness

The month of June has seen some welcome warm and dry weather.

Last night we took the opportunity for an evening paddle on Derwent Water, one of the true blessings of living in this part of Northern Cumbria is to be able to take advantage of fine summer night to get out in the fells; take in an evening's scrambling or on this occasion to savour the splendour of a still, quiet body of water, surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery.

We made a relaxed journey from Kettlewell (my Mum & Dad's birthday gift of annual national Trust membership was so gratefully received & has been such a benefit!) to St Herbert's Island and back, pausing for a picnic on the shores of the Island.

What struck me, especially on the return journey was the subtle changing light as the higher mountains of Borrowdale were illuminated from different angles & the stillness of a flat calm Derwent Water. A stillness that when observed more closely was teeming with life and activity as fish jumped and birds swooped and dived. It was a beautiful evening.