View from the top of High Cup Nick, looking down into the distant Eden Valley of Cumbria. I am now a volunteer 'champion' for the stretch of the Pennine Way from Cauldron Snout to here.

It is my role to walk this section 3 or 4 times per year, reporting any problems with gates, finger posts, bridges or anything else along the path.

Lovely day for it, if a little breezy. Met and chatted to a few people along the way. #NPennines #Cumbria

In the evening, the low sun shows up beautifully the old lead mining remnants on the far side of Harwood.

These are marked on the map as disused quarries, shafts, levels and shake holes. No mention of 'hushes' which are what I think are the long scars in the land. Water was dammed up and released to scour off topsoil and loose rock.

A mining method so environmentally destructive that it was discontinued even hundreds of years ago. #NPennines #Teesdale

What was I saying earlier about the short growing season here? Harwood obviously heard me and is giving me a punishment beating for daring to suggest moving away.

Life at 430m above sea level. I might plant my potatoes today. Might. #NPennines #SemiAlpine

Went to Middleton-in-Teesdale Farmers Market and got rye sourdough bread from Warwick Bridge mill; kippers, sole and samphire from Collin of Eyemouth; some delicious Bahjis and samosas.

On way back, came round the back road by Coldberry to Newbiggin. There was extensive mining here by the London Lead company and it's very post industrial, spoil heaps everywhere.

Apart from two walkers, there was no one else around. #Teesdale #NPennines

Lapwing scrape, no more than 50 metres from my house. I've been watching and waiting for a photo opportunity.

The parent flew behind my house to feed so I dashed through the field gate. She's back on now, no disturbance. There are at least 3 others in the same field. #Birds #NPennines

I've been working for Neville again at Lingy Hill, fixed up the wall in the second photo.

In the first photo, the view is up to the watershed between County Durham and Cumbria. The house in that photo, top right, called Rough Rigg, is the second highest house in England.

The highest house accolade is a contest between two properties on the Cumbria side of the fell. One household says its chimney is a few inches taller. Size matters! #Cumbria #Teesdale #NPennines

This is just a short distance from my house but it's in a dip, so no phone signal. Why I'm posting it now.

Another day, another gap in a wall to fix for Neville. He stopped by while feeding sheep and pointed out my next job.

Anyway, it was a beautiful day, warm and sunny. Down to 2 layers, t shirt and old polo shirt. Another neighbour that I had not met stopped to chat for a while. He's a private tenant, so no walls to fix. #Teesdale #NPennines

I'm just back from my first visit to Holwick to do bird surveys for the RSPB. Glorious day for it.

There were many wading birds, saw all the target species, including black grouse. The real highlight was a pair of Ring Ouzel among the rocks of Holwick Scar. #Birds #NPennines #Teesdale

Eve was at her monthly textile group in Alston so I headed to Nenthead Mines to kill a couple of hours. I met up with other volunteers and we went into Rampgill level for a wander, as I had not been in there.

After a few hundred yards we came to the brewery shaft which is 328ft deep. Then carried on into Scaleburn level, through water up to halfway up wellies. Some parts had to be accessed on hands and knees because of previous roof fall. #mining #Cumbria #NPennines

It's eerily quiet today. Just the one line of eight cars roaring back from Alston to wherever they come from.

I wonder if they do an A66/M6 circuit via Penrith and the Hartside Pass? It's a challenge.

Lambos gonna Lambo, despite the price of fuel. #Teesdale #NPennines