A Different Variation On A Regular Walk.

As is often the case in March we had an extra taste of winter today. No snow down in the valley but plenty on the fells and a very cold wind. So we decided to walk up to Tanr Hows as you will know, a regular walk of ours. The route we chose for today was to the head of the lake, through Monk Coniston woods to High Cross, where we would turn left (west), towards Tarn Hows. Only we didn't! On reaching High Cross I suggested turning right for a change. After very little discussion that's exactly what we did, into the forest at High Cross and along the ridge. After a mile or so we turned right again and headed downhill towards 'Tinkler', Rawlinson Ground and on to the head of the lake before returning home. The walk took 2 hours 40 minutes.

Looking towards Wetherlam and Tilberthwaite. The patches of sunshine were brief and moved quickly.

Another patch of sunshine briefly highlights Raven Crag. Langdale Pikes in the background.

Eventually the track wound downhill towards Tinkler and Rawlinson Ground.

A view of Coniston from Grizedale Forest.

Morning in Kendal

We had to be in Kendal quite early for an appointment and made the most of it by having a little wander around the town we used to live in.

It was a bit hazy when we arrived and walked along the river, past the weir at Stramongate Bridge. The riverside Hotel on the right, stands on the site of an old tannery.

Stramongate Bridge, thought to date from the 14th century, but much altered and added to in the mid to late 17th century. The original bridge is still there and can be seen from underneath, but has been built over.

Before the bridge was built there was a ford crossing the Kent just this side of the bridge and accessed from where The Bridge Hotel now stands. The building behind the bridge was one of the old mills of Kendal and before conversion to offices in the 80s, it was operating as 'Kendal Socks', manufacturing hosiery.

A lovely morning, but cold, so cold the crocuses wouldn't open for us!

The weir at Stramongate / Gooseholme in Kendal.

Brantwood... and the Ruskin exhibition.

One of the many good things about living in Coniston and being a 'Friend of Ruskin's Brantwood" is that there it always gives us an option for a visit. Whether it's a beautiful day to wander around the gardens, or like today, dark and wet, when we can enjoy the house, exhibitions and cafe. Today we took the opportunity of catching up with an exhibition that we have been meaning to visit for a while. 'The Power Of The Hills: John Ruskin And Mountains' is an exhibition of his drawings and watercolours and runs until April 24th.
One of the best ways to arrive at Brentwood is across the lake from Coniston Boating Centre. Either by the Coniston Launch Company vessels, or The National Trust's SS Gondola, a restored, Victorian steam launch.

Brantwood, a place to warm the soul on dark days.

The Coniston Fells when the rain takes charge.

The view down Coniston Water from Brantwood is always interesting, no matter what the weather.

A beautiful house in a beautiful place.

If you enjoy a visit to Brantwood, make sure you visit the Ruskin Museum in the centre of Coniston. It is a fabulous museum of heritage, literature, nature and of course the Bluebird wing. Well worth a visit.

Tom Ghyll and Tarn Hows

After a lot of rain recently, we decided that this would be the driest underfoot that we could hope for. The ghyll was more full than usual, so once again, I couldn't resist a few photos of the waterfalls and cataracts, although the main fall is obscured by lots of growth and it is difficult to get a good image. Tarn Hows too offers views that are really hard to resist, no matter how often you visit. At least the weather and the changing seasons make the views different overtime, at least, thats the way it feels.

Tom Ghyll and Tarn Hows are both owned and managed by The National Trust.

The full gayly and the low angle of the sun made for some interesting images.

I tried to capture the splash!

The beauty of the woods, the team and the soft, morning sunlight.

The sunlight picking out the moss covered beck stones.

The sign says it all.

A wintery looking Coniston Old Man.

A beautiful birch tree, the tarns and a distant, snow covered, Fairfield.

The National Trust, hard at work, managing the land around the tarn.

Always a good view of the Langdales from Tarn Hows.

For more information about things to do and see and places to staying the Coniston area, click on this link to Coniston Tourist Information. Or alternatively Visit Cumbria.

Early Morning By The Lake

I had to be in Barrow early this morning, but just a brief visit and I could not resist a quick stop by the lake on the way home. The views down the lake from Brown How and Lake Bank are pretty special and always different. Hard to drive past on many occasions.

A still lake and some fresh snow on the distant Fairfield.

A New Look At Old Wood

We often walk from Coniston, along the old railway line that has now been closed for over 50 years. There is much of interest and always something new. Today The 'something new' came from something very old and very familiar. When we leave the railway line and head down to the lake shore for our return to the village, we pass through a National Trust campsite and standing by one of the cattle grids is an old, dead tree. I have often admired it's grand, skeletal appearance and wondered about how old it is and what kind of tree it has been. Only today I looked closer at the grain and the shapes within the tree trunk and realised that although the tree had been dead for many years, it was still aching of great beauty.

Beautiful textures and patterns of old wood.

Anyone know what kind of wood it is?

Spring Is Coming

There are definite signs of spring, even up here in the north of England. For a couple of weeks now I have been watching the new shoots of bluebells forcing their way through the leaf mould on the woodland floor. Under the hedges there are the new shoots of lords & ladies, dogs mercury and the buds of the hawthorn are beginning to unfurl as the honeysuckle renews it's entwining grip on the hedges. Snowdrops everywhere, light up the verges and an occasional celandine shows it's brave face to the world. Spring is coming.
The birds are singing once again and the woodpeckers drum loudly all around. Nest sites are anxiously sought out and preparation begins for Robin Wren and Blackbird. The relentless, unstoppable, roll of nature through the seasons has begun. Spring is coming.

Spring is coming.