Of icy winds and ladies dressed as Christmas puddings.

The wind from the north was cold enough to bring tears to the eyes and fingers would start to lose their feeling if gloves were removed.   Black mud crunched under foot, being full of shards of white ice. This was near the summit of Lingmoor on Saturday. 

I returned to Ambleside too late to see Father Christmas arrive by boat at Waterhead, or the lantern procession through the town, or the switching on of Christmas lights, but managed to arrive in time for the firework display in Rothay Park.   There were crowds there, and in the light of the fireworks, strange costumes became visible - clowns and a fairy all in white.   Walking round the town afterwards, admiring the lights, I was passed by two ladies dressed as Christmas puddings.