Under Helm Sycamore in snow

Each year, winter snows bring a hush to the hills and valleys of Cumbria, sometimes just for a few days, sometimes for weeks. This shot was taken a month after damage from Storm Desmond forced the closure of the main road between Grasmere and Keswick. Its closure caused problems for local residents for months, but the absence of traffic lent the valley a complete serenity, while the blanket of white gave a sense of going back in time.