Backtracking a little, in late March we took a trip up to Cumbria, leaving Essex in brilliant sunshine, with above average temperatures, and arriving in Cumbria to find a bitter chill.  Baby lambs were arriving everywhere nonetheless.

St Bega's Church on Bassenthwaite, in a lovely location.

This is Causey Pike, with its distinctive crinkle top here just frosted with snow.  We have memories of the hair-raising scramble to reach the top.

Parking at Lanthwaite Woods, we walked down to the shingle beach at the foot of Crummock, on a gloriously sunny day 

Another day took us to Caldbeck - this is the church where John Peel is buried.  And once again we were delighted to find the church open to visitors.  

  

A modern stained glass window in memory of a local pharmacist - note the pestle and mortar and the many medicinal herbs featured.

                                       

We have seen dippers on the river at Caldbeck over many years.  This one was happy to pose for us.

In Caldbeck church the curate suggested another church in their group of parishes, this one at Castle Sowerby,  a simple structure in a remote location.

 

A little outing to Argers Fen, just over the Suffolk border.  It's bluebell time of course.

This is ancient woodland with wild cherry trees in full bloom.

A lovely walk up hill and down dale, then a short drive to the magnificent church at Stoke by Nayland.  We sat on a convenient bench to eat our picnic and studied the brickwork of the tower.

Then, another short drive took us to Dedham where we had a cup of tea, admiring this wonderful white wisteria, well out even this early.

 

Nayland

 

A walk along the River Stour from Nayland to an interesting church at Wissington.  Water meadows, lambs and views that Constable might have painted - what could be better?

Along the river, plenty of evidence of storm damage with trees down and trunks splintered. But that did not detract from the general peace of the area.

The church at Wissington.  In the nineteenth century a vicar who held the living for a long time decided to give the church a Norman makeover.  The door here looks ancient but I'm not sure about the stone work.

The main feature here - apart from a strong smell of damp - is the wall paintings.

The best-preserved is this amazing dragon.

And, shoved in a corner, this pair of choir stalls with misericords.  Amazing what you find in ancient churches.