I’m away on holiday for a few days and staying in an old farmhouse, 500 metres/ 1600 feet up in the northern Pennines, an official area of outstanding beauty towards the top of England near the border with Scotland.

  Going up the M6 motorway approaching the eastern fringes of The Lake District

  Hart side Pass a notoriously deadly road in the winter due to snow, hairpin bends and long falls off the roadside to the valley far below.

  Nice view though even from the lower reaches.

  On top of the world. So nice not to see any cars, planes, houses or people.

  Notice the tall snow poles about 10 feet tall to try and get above the snow and warn drivers they are nearing the road edge.

  Alston – the highest market town in England and the place in England furthest from a large supermarket… I hate supermarkets so it is my sort of place.

  The yellow flags are for the tour if Britain cycle race. The route we took was a mountain stage on the race a week earlier.

  Alpacas well suited to the cold climate here.

  The view from my bedroom window…. More photos next time!