Mark Richards

Happy mums and there little scamps on an afternoon tramp along Hadrian’s Wall from Gilsland to Birdoswald today. A first for me to see a toddler trip like this.

A couple from Eastbourne came up specifically for the shoe and I’m out walking with them today on Hadrian’s Wall.

It was indeed a fab night of merriness, readings and music.

I enjoyed the double dose of jollity. Didn’t get time to talk to enough people in the bustle. Though I chatted to a lady in a wheelchair who had spent all her life in Lamplugh and had joyous memories of the people of that rural place that had the potential for an authentic episode.

Countrystride's Cumbrian Christmas Cracker at the Theatre by the Lake, was indeed a cracker, two nights running. Dr Sue Allen, Alan Cleaver and foodie John Crouch, with musicans Carloyn Francis and Mike Willoughby performing traditional seasonal songs.

Christmas light in Keswick.

Buttermere Ridge towering over Comb Beck and Buttermere in the Western Fells #LakeDistrict #Wainwrights #Cumbria

Linescape of Napes Needle on Great Gable. If you would like a signed print £24 (including postage) email: fellranger1@gmail.com.

Linescape of a pair of curricks (cairns) on the northern brink of Tindale Fell, the furthest north in the Pennine Chain. They overlook Tindale Tarn, a haven of wildfowl in the Geltsdale RSPB Reserve.

I'm on duty on 14th at my local primary school, my annual generous white beard afternoon.

River Gelt in spate at Hynam Bridge this morning.

Linescape of the Langdale Pikes in winter from Elterwater.

The Langdale Pikes from Elterwater.

Calling all pen & ink artists. Have you discovered the Leonardt no.700 nib? it is remarkable in achieving consistent fine and varied lines.

Impressive inn sign … Black Lion in Hethersgill.

Ho Ho Ho Santa is on his way.

Looking east along Hadrian’s Wall to the Nine Nicks of Thirlwall from Birdoswald Roman Fort (Banna).

The Cotswold oolitic limestone becomes friable a degrades comparatively speedily. So finding solid replacement stone is a skill in itself, for a purposeful if humble field wall.

Neat work with ready to hand stone.

The Republican party has normalised crude power.

Once upon a time England was in the Roman empire, ruled by an Emperor, it then became a kingdom ruled by a King, whereas the USA is a country, ruled by a…

Always endeavour to project happiness, as it’s infectious.

The force is with us.

Gelt at Hynam Bridge.

Inscrutible if silent and not hootable.

No business like snow business.

Salle church, Norfolk.

Afternoon golden sun illuminate Ivy Crag and a holly bush on Loughrigg Fell.

An inscrutable fixture.

Tawny owl below Brow Head on the old road leading up to the former Ambleside golf course.