The tops of the fells in the Borrowdale Valley had their first light snowfall a few days ago and today we have had our first chilly winter fog over Derwentwater. This fog is clearing as the warmth of the sun breaks through and as it clears a deep blue sky emerges. The pond has its first ever icy surface (having only been completed earlier this year), insufficient though to prevent the busy blue tits taking a drink. The hotel gardens and nearby fields have been given a very wintry look by a light dusting of frost. Red squirrels scamper about in the wood collecting whatever food they can – whilst unfortunately trying to fending off an unwelcome grey squirrel visitor. This month, the hotel wood won a Silver Award at the Cumbria in Bloom awards.