I was planning to take advantage of the Sunshine this morning and give the lawn the first mow of the season. Mr Harper, our neighbouring farmer doesn’t like to see good grass going to waste and when I was greeted by the sight of several ewes and lambs feasting on poor lawn – it was perfect timing!

2010 was generally remarked upon as being the latest arrival of Spring on record, but this year feels like the first proper Spring that we have had in years and everything is at least a week earlier than normal. The Rannerdale Bluebells wouldn’t usually be out until the start of May, but I took a walk up there yesterday from Crummock Water and they are already starting to come out. As well as the bluebells, the Gorse bushes are in full bright yellow flower, the Hawthorn blossom is out and the trees are coming into bud.

Bluebell woodlands are always absolutely beautiful but the Rannerdale Bluebells are quite a rarity in the Lake District, in that they are on open fellside, rather than amongst trees. It’s an amazing location sheltered below Rannerdale Knotts, with stunning views looking out over Crummock Water to Mellbreaks and beyond – Rannerdale at its best is a spectacular sight, that shouldn’t be missed.

There are plenty of cottages in the Lake District within easy reach of Crummock Water and if you are staying at one of these, then you really must get up to Rannerdale and enjoy the Bluebells.

The areas surrounding Crummock Water are absolutely idyllic, it’s a remote part of the Lake District, far from the there are very few buildings in the Valley and the mountains rise up from the water’s edge, gently at first and then more steeply up to Grasmoor to the north and Red Pike and High Stile to the south.

You can easily combine a trip to Crummock Water with high tea at The Barn in Lorton – My favourite is the amazing Victorian Tea with Scones and Jam and a range of fruit and chocolate cakes.

In the opposite direction, Buttermere is of course the next lake along from Crummock Water towards Keswick, and if you are going this way then you can call in at either The Bridge Hotel or the Fish Hotel for a pint or at Syke Farm for a locally made Ayrshire ice cream.

As far as predicting the summer weather, there is an old adage that says

"Oak before the Ash and we’re in for a splash, but

Ash before the Oak and we’re in for a soak".

The Oak is already in bud, so hopefully this is a good omen, although Mr Harper says that it’s the same every year and the Oak always comes into bud before the Ash, so no guarantees.

At least if you’re staying in one of the many Lake District cottages Cumbria has to offer then you don’t have to worry about putting your tent up in a biblical downpour!