Paula's flying visit was coming to an end, when exactly depended
on the weather. Was it snowy enough to stay,
was it sunny enough to enjoy a walk, would it be clear enough
for a drive back home over the Pennines ?
Whilst we waited to see what the third option would be,
the first two had come true, so we donned our boots and headed
out for that walk.
After our morning dip there was still plenty of time left of
the morning,
so after a short discussion we had agreed a destination and
headed out to walk in Holme Woods.
The view from the top of the hill, looking back towards the
Village Hall, Crummock Water and the Buttermere fells.
The northern face of Mellbreak looking almost like a Wainwright
pen and ink sketch with its winter sprinkling of snow.
The turn to Maggie's Bridge car park, looking over to Holme
Woods on the side of Carling Knott.
The woodland, shaped like a pheasant, has been the scene of
partial larch felling in recent weeks.
The road down to the car park is fortunately clear of snow.
Up in the hanging 'High Nook' valley is the diminutive tarn
and the start of a zig-zag path up Blake Fell.
The new cattle grid at the start of the track across the meadows.
We make a small diversion across the grass to check out a new
layered fence.
The one here on the left is a newly planted mixed hedge, planted
on a 'kist' or raised bank of earth.
Close by is a Cumberland cut hedge where the older trees have
been cut to within a hair's breadth of their life.
This isn't good for wildlife but does re-grow and produce a
quality hedge . . . eventually.
Along the edge of the next field about fifty yards of the hedge
has been cut and laid in 'Westmorland Bullock' style.
Here the cut hedge has been layered with carefully cut and
laid branches
and so it will provide shelter for wildlife and create an animal
proof barrier at the same time.
Looking up at Carling Knott
the colours of the Pheasant shaped Holme Wood stand out against
the snow.
The old bird is looking a little moth eaten as the lighter
coloured, diseased larch is being taken out.
Hopefully the National Trust will replant these areas with
a suitably coloured alternative woodland tree.
Sheep tracks cross the fresh snow as the lake reflects the
intense blue of the sky.
Another object showing its age is this old rowing boat over
by the farm.
It used to be possible to hire this boat for a row on the lake
but it's no longer "seaworthy".
Loweswater Bothy, an old fishing lodge, will be our next stop
on our walk today.
The girls and Dougal pause for a quick photo before we enter
the woodland.
There is a boat by the lake but this belongs to the
Loweswater care project and is not available for hire.
The Loweswater Bothy.
The tracks passed the door are muddy from the forestry work,
but they did at least tidy up before the big machines left.
The beach is as beautiful as ever on a day like this.
A wider panorama looking over the lake towards Grasmoor and
Mellbreak.
The bothy is available to rent as 'camping
barn' style accommodation . . .
bring everything you need for camping except the tent, stove
and toilet. Plenty of wood here for a fire to keep warm
!
We take the lakeshore path, leaving the bothy sitting snug
in the woods.
Another bothy . . . for the little folk.
Looking across to Askill Knott and Darling Fell over the snow
covered fallen tree.
Three chairs and a small woodland shelter deep in the woods
. . . sadly no hot chocolate to drink here this time.
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One other feature of the woods which will be good
to visit
is Holme Force, the waterfall created
as the Holme Beck cascades off the fellside.
We take the path up to the bridge and viewing point,
following it up towards the sun it would seem.
The lorries haven't been this way
so the track is undamaged under the snow.
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The old bridge partially disguised by a snow
blanket.
It crosses the beck just below the main waterfall.
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The water isn't flowing strongly today,
which is hardly surprising
as the precipitation is sitting on the ground as snow.
Dylan walks out to explore the falls.
The top of the cascade blends
into the snow covered forest floor
so I didn't take second picture
of the top of the cascade this time.
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Instead I take a slightly slippery path and
head down under the bridge
to get a different vie of the lower part of
the falls.
Turning to retrace my steps I notice the icicles
under the arch glinting in the morning light.
Back down the same way to the lakeshore.
Past the old, snow covered Scotts Pine that
fell a couple of years ago.
Someone's got new wellies, but Loes's footwear
wouldn't cope with walking through the water,
so she uses the bridge.
A new addition to the wood last year . . . The
Wishing Tree.
Back to the Bothy and on the way back home now.
The National Trust cleaners are in attendance,
checking out the bothy ready for the next guests to use.
Low Fell and Whiteside adds to the view being
enjoyed by the visitors relaxing next to the lake.
Wintery Grasmoor, seen ahead as we return towards
Maggie's Bridge.
Back to the cattle grid . . . nearly home .
. . someone put the kettle on !