Wood near Hawkshead. The Lake District.

I sat and painted this picture in the beautiful spring wood we walked through on the first day.

Meanwhile the main party of Japanese visitors opted for a gentle day after the strenuous effort of the previous day. They took a boat trip across Coniston to visit Brantwood which was the home of John Ruskin. From the adjoining restaurant terrace there is a magnificent view down to Coniston Water.

My day was quite solitary and in two hours of painting only one man with his dog ventured past along the path in the painting.

Over six million visitors visit The English Lake District every year and yet it is still quite possible to be alone.

Tomorrow we will have the obligatory trip to Hilltop the home of Beatrix Potter now owned by the National Trust. We will definitely not be alone. It will be swarming with Japanese coach parties! They are bused into Bowness take a boat over Lake Windermere visit Hilltop and return. That is all most see of this amazing National Park. Our group will feel quite smug as they have already seen more than most tourists.