Postcard From The Lakes - Collateral Perks

Hmmmm, I’m setting myself up here and that’s worrying. I’m not keen on making resolutions so I won’t call it that so let’s see how long this one lasts.

Basically this is my idea; I want to send little notes from the Lake District once a month, more if possible, but once a month at least. I’m going to call it Postcards From The Lakes, and it will be in the form of a short blog with a couple of photographs and sketches, I might even add a short video log if I’m brave enough.

I moved to Cumbria just a little under two years ago and I’m having real fun exploring the area; the towns, the terrain, the lakes, and even the weather. It rains for England here!! So these little notes will be of the places I visit. The idea is to encourage myself to go out more often; walking, sketching, plein air painting, and sharing a little bit of the history of the area. You guys can be my buddy.

So welcome to Dodd Wood! Managed and promoted by Forestry England, Dodd Wood, located near Keswick offers some stunning views of the northern Lake District. For those who love to walk, there is a network of walking trails leading up to Dodd Summit for views across the fells, or you might want catch the Bassenthwaite ospreys from the specially designed viewpoints (April - September) taking in the odd red squirrel here and there at their feeding posts. The walk to Dodd Wood summit is only a little over 3 miles long but it starts off with a very steep walk uphill, so if you are thinking of tackling it, be warned! Take plenty of water!

For artists, this is an ideal location to paint en plein air. There is a cafe, toilet facilities, ample (metered) parking and lots of amazing views of the woodland and glimpses Bassenthwaite Lake through the trees. You could quite comfortably spend an entire day here. There is so much to take in just around Skill Beck along with its rolling, tumbling, waterfall and quaint little footbridge. There’s a different view for every visit.

OK so let’s not be in any doubt about it, art is work!  To some I may appear to be on a jolly but for me, painting isn’t always easy, income is intermittent, and I don’t always get the desired outcome much to my frustration, but the perks of the job make it all so worthwhile. Maybe I need to learn how to dine on the perks of the job lol. 

What are some of your favourite views of the Lake District? Do please share in the comments below. I may have it on my ‘to visit’ list..