Water, Water, Everywhere
01st November 2008
It was just a couple of days before I was due to travel up to the Lakes that torrential rain caused flooding and an hundreds of endurance enthusiasts to take refuge in whatever local buildings they could. This was well documented in the national news.
It was also the week when there were two fatal crashes between junctions 16 and 17 of the M6. Heading up on the Sunday, there was another pile up at that same location. While waiting in the traffic, three fire appliances, four ambulances and two police cars went passed, joining some emergency services already there. Serious, but I don't know if there were any fatalities. One car could be seen on the hard shoulder with it's roof and doors cut off. Heading back at the end of the week, as it happened there was again another accident between the same junctions on the same side of the carriageway.
Delay number one out of the way. (Oh yes, there's more). Stopping off for lunch just south of Lancaster, we decided to take the A6 as it's more scenic. Traffic was quite light too. All went ok until Carnforth. The road was blocked at one crossroads, so it was follow the traffic. This is where the satellite navigation really came in hand as it kept us on course. However, I had a pretty shrewd idea of where we were heading – and I was right!
Hardly a delay, but getting near to Kendal there was another diversion. I find it hard to imagine it was floods at this point. Rather than join the M6 here we took the long route to Kendal (GPS to the rescue) and in fact a few new photo locations became apparent, so at least that was good. It keps the journey fresh when you take a different route too.
Apparently, the A591 past Thirlmere was open on the Saturday, but had been closed again on Sunday. Delay number four meant a shrewd turn right at Ambleside, over the Kirkstone pass, past Ullswater, then cut north and join the A66 to Keswick. Considering it was also half term week and only about 5 pm there was amazingly few cars around. Well, apart from in Ambleside, heading south.
Hot footing it down to Derwentwater on the Monday morning, the water level had receded but it was still a good two metres or so above it's 'normal' level. Over four square miles, that's still a lot of water.
Repair work on the lake shore (not related to the recent weather) was still taking place. The rowing boats normally on the lake shore were pulled well up the roadway, and the small motor boats were having to be righted using a tractor at the edge of the lake before being towed across to the marina at Nicol End. All this against a bright sunny backdrop and people taking a pleasant stroll, albeit temperatures were on the cold side.
Heading up to Surprise View, the extent of the increase in the lake's size could be seen. The footbridge at the bottom end of the lake just starting to reappear. I watched the squally shower approach form behind Whinlatter and make it's way south. Dramatic conditions, and there was hail in that shower too.
Tuesday was spent exploring the beck above Aira Force waterfall. This was mostly new ground. After waiting for two coachloads of French people to find the path (they were on a twinning mission to Cockermouth) I made my way up.
Many people just visit Aira Force but it really is worth making the journey further upstream, to High Force and beyond.
At this point I feel I should point out that crawling across the rocks to the edge of the falls so that the camera is centimetres away form the drop may look hairy from some angles. But can result in dramatic images. It's a location I plan to revisit in the spring, with the fresh green foliage on display.
Lunch in the White Lion inn in Patterdale, followed by making use of the last rays of the sun over Ullswater rounded off a cold day outside. I can recommend the Packhorse Inn in Keswick for a good evening meal.
Wednesday found me down at the lakeside for a sunrise that never quite happened, but the conditions were nice and moody. The tops of the highest fells had a decent dusting of snow.
Heading up to the Honister Pass the sky was pale grey but the landscape was still moody. Bleak, but with a dramatic edge. As seems to be the case, arriving at Buttermere triggered the rain.
If you can, take the bus to Buttermere from Keswick, as you can partake of some Old Peculiar. Or get someone else to drive! Autumn is good for fungi, and I spent a while in the woods nearby. The conditions were then miserable rather than moody or dramatic, so it was back to Keswick early, which was fine as we were going to see The Importance of Being Earnest at the Theatre by the Lake.
Thursday is one of two market days in Keswick. It's a good place to pick up some local produce, such as organic beef and venison. There's more stalls on the Saturday however, including second hand books, plants, pottery, outdoor gear and so on.
There's always changes to see, in the town and the landscape. Even those views that don't appear to change do look different in the ever changing light that's never quite the same twice.
A bit of weather is all it needs.
It was also the week when there were two fatal crashes between junctions 16 and 17 of the M6. Heading up on the Sunday, there was another pile up at that same location. While waiting in the traffic, three fire appliances, four ambulances and two police cars went passed, joining some emergency services already there. Serious, but I don't know if there were any fatalities. One car could be seen on the hard shoulder with it's roof and doors cut off. Heading back at the end of the week, as it happened there was again another accident between the same junctions on the same side of the carriageway.
Delay number one out of the way. (Oh yes, there's more). Stopping off for lunch just south of Lancaster, we decided to take the A6 as it's more scenic. Traffic was quite light too. All went ok until Carnforth. The road was blocked at one crossroads, so it was follow the traffic. This is where the satellite navigation really came in hand as it kept us on course. However, I had a pretty shrewd idea of where we were heading – and I was right!
Hardly a delay, but getting near to Kendal there was another diversion. I find it hard to imagine it was floods at this point. Rather than join the M6 here we took the long route to Kendal (GPS to the rescue) and in fact a few new photo locations became apparent, so at least that was good. It keps the journey fresh when you take a different route too.
Apparently, the A591 past Thirlmere was open on the Saturday, but had been closed again on Sunday. Delay number four meant a shrewd turn right at Ambleside, over the Kirkstone pass, past Ullswater, then cut north and join the A66 to Keswick. Considering it was also half term week and only about 5 pm there was amazingly few cars around. Well, apart from in Ambleside, heading south.
Hot footing it down to Derwentwater on the Monday morning, the water level had receded but it was still a good two metres or so above it's 'normal' level. Over four square miles, that's still a lot of water.
Repair work on the lake shore (not related to the recent weather) was still taking place. The rowing boats normally on the lake shore were pulled well up the roadway, and the small motor boats were having to be righted using a tractor at the edge of the lake before being towed across to the marina at Nicol End. All this against a bright sunny backdrop and people taking a pleasant stroll, albeit temperatures were on the cold side.
Heading up to Surprise View, the extent of the increase in the lake's size could be seen. The footbridge at the bottom end of the lake just starting to reappear. I watched the squally shower approach form behind Whinlatter and make it's way south. Dramatic conditions, and there was hail in that shower too.
Tuesday was spent exploring the beck above Aira Force waterfall. This was mostly new ground. After waiting for two coachloads of French people to find the path (they were on a twinning mission to Cockermouth) I made my way up.
Many people just visit Aira Force but it really is worth making the journey further upstream, to High Force and beyond.
At this point I feel I should point out that crawling across the rocks to the edge of the falls so that the camera is centimetres away form the drop may look hairy from some angles. But can result in dramatic images. It's a location I plan to revisit in the spring, with the fresh green foliage on display.
Lunch in the White Lion inn in Patterdale, followed by making use of the last rays of the sun over Ullswater rounded off a cold day outside. I can recommend the Packhorse Inn in Keswick for a good evening meal.
Wednesday found me down at the lakeside for a sunrise that never quite happened, but the conditions were nice and moody. The tops of the highest fells had a decent dusting of snow.
Heading up to the Honister Pass the sky was pale grey but the landscape was still moody. Bleak, but with a dramatic edge. As seems to be the case, arriving at Buttermere triggered the rain.
If you can, take the bus to Buttermere from Keswick, as you can partake of some Old Peculiar. Or get someone else to drive! Autumn is good for fungi, and I spent a while in the woods nearby. The conditions were then miserable rather than moody or dramatic, so it was back to Keswick early, which was fine as we were going to see The Importance of Being Earnest at the Theatre by the Lake.
Thursday is one of two market days in Keswick. It's a good place to pick up some local produce, such as organic beef and venison. There's more stalls on the Saturday however, including second hand books, plants, pottery, outdoor gear and so on.
There's always changes to see, in the town and the landscape. Even those views that don't appear to change do look different in the ever changing light that's never quite the same twice.
A bit of weather is all it needs.
