Christmas Day, Alnmouth beach, Northumberland

We went for a walk around Alnmouth, it was very warm for the time of year, with occasional full sun, but a very strong south westerly wind blowing sand on the beach and spume from the waves.

Marsden Bay, late December 2016

A break in the overcast winter weather allowed me to walk from Marsden to South Shields along the north east coast. There was fabulous sunshine and a deep blue sea.

Sony NEX 6 manual focus lens.

Christmas Day in Durham

Durham riverside

We decided to go for a walk around Durham this morning to build up an appetite for our Xmas dinner. The weather was relatively kind, with a low winter sun and cold, but no rain. 

Our walk took us to the cathedral grounds - the loos are reliably open - and then through the cathedral itself. I'm not religious, and I have to say that "Away in a Manger" is far from being my favourite carol, but that was what the choir were singing as we entered. It was in fact a wonderful arrangement with beautiful harmonies, quite magical, we had to stop to listen. 

The photo shows the light catching buildings as seen from Elvet bridge, something that I had not noticed in the past and only visible when the trees are bare.

NEX 6 Pentax M 75-150 mm  f4 

The Lakes - Alcock Tarn

Whenever there is guaranteed sunshine in the Lake District we try to get over there, and at Easter weekend there was such an opportunity.

 We have often walked along the old coffin road between Grasmere and Rydal Mount, and have passed the footpath sign for Alcock Tarn. On this occasion we went for the 3 mile diversion and climbed up to investigate the tarn. It's a bit of a struggle - the going up - but well worth the effort.

Looking beyond Grasmere towards the Langdale Pikes

Coming down we saw this roe deer on the path, it seemed relatively tame, staying a discreet distance away, but not running for cover.

Sony NEX 6 Sigma 19mm, Pentax 28mm, and Sony 55-210 lenses