We spent the bank holiday weekend at my favourite place; Kestrel Lodge campsite, which is at the foot of Skiddaw and offers fabulous views of Bassenthwaite lake and the surrounding area.
https://www.kestrellodgecampsite.co.uk/
At night, the clear skies and zero light pollution provide a stunning view of the stars. The forecast for weekend showed a high likelihood of northern lights. So all weekend I kept checking, but sadly they did not show when I was out looking.
We were spending the weekend with friends who have a van on a nearby site, which meant we had knowledgeable guides for walks around the area.
On Saturday, we took the dogs for a long walk around Bassenthwaite. The lake is currently blooming with blue/green algae, so we avoided walking down to it as the dogs don’t understand why they are not allowed to play in the water.
However we had a wonderful time walking around the local area, despite a rather lengthy cow related diversion!
I finally got the much longed for hare picture after many near misses over the last few months.
Elsewhere, there were a large variety of butterflies taking advantage and of the warm weather. Below is a meadow brown, of which there were many.
I also saw a furry caterpillar which I have tentatively identified as a drinker moth caterpillar, but I will gratefully accept corrections; bugs are not my specialty!
On Saturday evening we gathered for a BBQ, the dogs tried to join in, but after the long walk, it was far too much them!
On Sunday, I took to the hills for a morning run and a yoga session over looking a fabulous view of Skiddaw and the surrounding areas.
Later, the men folk went off to do things on their bikes so Joanna and I went for a quiet walk before we all regrouped at the Sun Inn for an early dinner.
Monday again dawned bright and hot, and I had the opportunity to do some quiet birding in the nearby woods.
First to appear was a Willow Warbler. This was a hard one to identify and I originally thought it was a chiff chaff. After consulting my fellow birders in the Facebook British Birdwatching group, I was advised that the pale legs marked it out as a Willow Warbler, the Chiff Chaff having much darker legs. It was a first for me, so I was really pleased.
Further into the walk, another one of the warbler family made an appearance; this time the grey back and white chest marked it as a Garden Warbler; another first for me.
As I turned back down through the trees, a loudly singing wren caught my attention.
As I headed back up towards the campsite, a pair of grey wagtails were foraging in the beck.
Finally as I entered the campsite, a goldfinch was silhouetted against the gorgeous blue sky and a blackbird was singing in the trees.
I also noticed the first blooms of laburnum in the hedgerow; the warm April has encouraged the flowers to appear early in this northern region.
We ended the weekend with a second BBQ before heading back to the van to watch the sunset over Bassenthwaite, drawing a fabulous weekend to a close.
The next trip we have planned is our forthcoming Welsh Adventure, a costal road trip with a feast of seafood is planned!
A Dull Woman's Van Life 
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