We are entertaining Ukrainian guests this weekend.
Volodymyr is an Ukrainian refugee/lodger at Loes's daughter's
house and we have got to know him slightly during our visits
back to Harewood.
His daughter Alla and her two 5yrs olds escaped the war last
year and now live in Leeds, so we invited them all to Cumbria
for the weekend.
Loes's daughter couldn't make it but we had a great weekend
nevertheless.
Volodymyr and the family at Hause Point.
Alla and the boys speak reasonable English having been over
in this country and in school for about a year.
Vee has limited English due to his recent arrival but with
the help of Alla, the boys and occasionally a phone App called
"Say Hi"
we were able to understand each other sufficiently, even down
to the technical stuff of life.
When in Buttermere you must if you can, sample the ice cream
at Syke Farm Cafe.
Being mid-morning and a little cool outside, coffee was amore
suitable alternative for us today.
[ Ann Kyle who lives at the farm was able to join us for a
short while.]
Whilst in Buttermere we walked up to the little church on the
hill.
- - - o o o - - -
It's a small church but still used
regularly
during the year for services and communion.
It is also a popular 'visitor location'
as it has a window plaque
dedicated to Mr Alfred Wainwright,
the famous author of the Lakeland
Guides,
beloved of Loes, myself and
other fell walkers.
- - - o o o - - -
|
|
|
|
The drive up the valley is never complete without
a stop to photograph the famous "Buttermere Pines".
At the top of the pass are the Honister Mines,
busy with visitors to their Via Ferratas and underground tours.
I don't imagine the steam engine ever worked
underground . . . but it made a great attraction for young visitors.
|
|
|
|
Crossing
the road we visit the slate figures. |
Volodymyr holding the
dogs away from the edge of the embankment. |
Alla walks out a short distance along the old
path that would have been the slate railway
that carried the trucks that had descended via
the old Yew Crag Quarry funicular tramway.
Even now 150 years on some wooden sleepers can
still be seen.
- - - o o o - - -
The family expressed an interest in seeing St
Bees and Loes's old house
so we headed down the other side of Honister
Pass, on the lookout for somewhere for lunch.
The Orient Express was busy with visitors today,
so we had a very enjoyable lunch at the adjacent Pheasant Inn.
Still, 5 year olds can't miss out on a quick
visit to look at the iconic train standing at Dubwath Station
when we were so close.
- - - o o o - - -
Onward to the coast and we leave the grey clouds
behind in favour of strong sunshine.
With the open sea location comes stronger winds
which added drama to the seafront.
It's about half tide and all the sand is covered.
The waves crash onto the shingles with a noisy
cascade of water and stone.
The wooden groynes were designed to preserve
the sandy beach, but nothing stops the power of nature over
time.
With the rough seas we notice some jellyfish
have been washed up onto the stones.
|
|
|
|
|
Underneath it has "oral
arms" to assist feeding and propulsion. |
Loes is using her arms to balance in the strong
wind.
After seeing her old house we returned home
at the end of the afternoon.
- - - o o o - - -
The following morning we decide to
take the boys up a hill . . .
Scale Hill in particular.
First was the chance of a photo-shoot
at the red phone box adjacent to my
cottage.
Afterwards we headed out,
walking down the road
towards the Scale Hill car park.
- - - o o o - - -
|
|
|
|
In the woods is a shallow cave, presumably an old trial dig
for lead ore.
It is associated with the legend of Lanty, an itinerant worker
of old, and goes by the local name of Lanty's Cave.
Waterproofs and hoods to the fore, but the weather has held
sufficiently to get a nice photo from the summit.
- - - o o o - - -
Eager to give the dogs (and the boys) a reasonable
walk
we headed on down into Lanthwaite Woods
working our way along the many footpaths
till we reached the boathouse.
The woods are famous for many different kinds of
fungi
including this Larch
Bolete we found
close to the path.
- - - o o o - - -
|
|
|
|
Once out at the boathouse we turned for home,
passing Crummock Weir along the way.
The boys wanted to carry on around the lake
but it was approaching lunchtime and they had
to return to Leeds later this afternoon, so we kept it simple
and headed back to the cottage.
It had been a great weekend.
- - - o o o - - -
|
Now
is your chance to have your favourite
web site pictures
hanging
on your wall all year round
and
to support a good cause.
- - - o o o - - -
" We've
done it again.
We've brought you twelve months of Loweswater
pictures,
Lakeland scenes and your favourite mountain dogs."
Yes
. . . The 2024 Loweswatercam
Calendar is
now on sale
- - - o o o - - -
Click
here or on the photos
for
full details of how to buy your copy.
|
|