So, after the fun times of seeing the cover for Dark Run going up at Frankfurt Book Fayre, I went to the Lake District for a week and walked up some mountains. On the basis that man cannot survive on a diet of future civilisation sci-fi alone, here are some pictures of some of the nicest green places left in England.
![Derwent Water, where we stayed.](http://www.mikebrooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC02280-300x66.jpg)
![Skiddaw, north of Derwent Water.](http://www.mikebrooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC02285-300x225.jpg)
![The view east from Helvellyn, third-highest point in England.](http://www.mikebrooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC02312-300x66.jpg)
![Clouds in the valley to the west of Helvellyn.](http://www.mikebrooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC02322-300x225.jpg)
![Looking east from the flank of High Stile on the south bank of Buttermere.](http://www.mikebrooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC02337-300x66.jpg)
![Crummock Water, looking down from High Stile.](http://www.mikebrooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC02350-300x224.jpg)
![A somewhat bleak view from the top of Skiddaw.](http://www.mikebrooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DSC02383-300x66.jpg)
I don’t often use language like this, but it’s good for the soul.