Always something to photograph..... Even on a dark January day.

Today we went on one of our customary walks for days that don't look promising. A dark, gloomy damp day, it certainly didn't show any promise. So we went out just for the exercise, but there is always something of interest, something of beauty, if you just get out there and look.

The first point of interest was a group of herdwick sheep, maybe I should say flock, but half a dozen hardly comprises a flock. This one in particular caught my eye because she appeared to be wearing a fern fascinator.

Even on a dark January day the woods are beautiful. The moss that covers the rocks ant trees looks so green. I don't know if that means it is new growth, or if it just looks so green because everything else takes on a dull winter green.

              The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

              But I have promises to keep,

              And miles to go before I ssleep,

              And miles to go before I sleep.

              (Robert Frost)

In the village we found snowdrops in the churchyard. One of the highlights of January is to see the start of the new season's flowers

Crocuses in the churchyard too, though not looking too comfortable with the dark damp weather, but still good to see all the same.

Even daffodils.They are always very early in the churchyard. I'm not sure why, this is very early for daffs, but I have seen them flowering before Christmas.

John Ruskin's grave stone in Coniston Churchyard. Always worth a look, it was designed by Ruskin's secretary and friend W.G.Collingwood. 

The designs on the two sides of the stone reference Ruskin's life and works.