After the rain

Sometimes when the rain stops and the clouds part, a blue sky appears that is so clear it's exciting and inspiring! On days like this you just have to go for a walk. So we walked from the village, up to Tilberthwaite and over to Little Langdale, taking the higher path from High Tilberthwaite Farm. Then following the path past the tarn and Slater's Bridge to the ford and back via Moss Rigg wood.

The single track road that makes it's way up the Tilberthwaite Valley, past old mine workings and the odd sheep.

The upper part of Tilberthwaite valley, Looking across the high pastures to High Tilberthwaite Farm. In the foreground is an interesting art installation by Andy Goldsworthy.

The ground was very wet after the rain of the previous few days, but the Devilsbit Scabious likes to populate the damp areas of the fells. This one was just opening out.

Grass of Parnasus is a beautiful small white flower that also likes wet conditions. It is quite uncommon and now restricted to a few northern, upland areas.

It's not just the plants that enjoy a wet habitat, dragonflies congregate around upland ponds and boggy areas.

Upon reaching the highest point of the walk, the views down towards Langdale are truly magnificent.

Much as we would like this weather to stay with us, the whispy clouds were suggesting otherwise.

Little Langdale Tarn.

On the walk back through the woods we spotted this little beauty grazing on the ferns.

A Speckled Wood butterfly.

By late evening those clouds were gathering again, but it was lovely and still. As you can see, the level of the lake is well above normal for August, the pier is inaccessible.