Hiley Website

Two local walks before Christmas.

The first walk was combined with a visit to Syke Farm to buy eggs from the chickens that "cross the road".

The second was where we were encouraged to get out by the sheer blustery nature of the weather . . . it was rather impressive.

The cloud is down on the valley but the temperature is up.

The arctic conditions in the The Midlands and on the M25 around London which included heavy snow, have not materialised here.

The warm front moved in before the rain had time to freeze.

Wood House, Buttermere

" The house is a National Trust property that offers guest rooms and self catering with lake views."

	- - - o o o - - - Taking lots of photos of the local area as we do it tends to concentrate the mind on what's new or what's interesting. Here a rotten fence post has become hollowed out by the weather and is now home to a new holly sapling. If you tried to replicate this effect in your own garden you couldn't do it half as well. - - - o o o - - -

As we followed the path through the woodland below the house

we seem to be shepherding the locals ahead of us.

They had the sense to climb up above the path.

The colours on the sheep are the tup-marks to give the farmer an idea of how hard the tup or ram has been working

and for that matter, how receptive the ewe has been too.

More coloured sheep on the beach in front of Nether How woods.

Working our way slowly over there means we hardly disturb the grazing flock at all.

The fells behind are Green Crag and Haystacks. Brandreth and Great Gable behind are lost in the mist.

Dylan is encouraged up onto the fallen tree.

The consummate show-off hardly needed any encouragement.

On the rocks at the far end of the beach my three companions stop to enjoy the view.



A short stroll today so it's time to turn and make our way back.	The sheep are still grazing below Wood House.

Their fellow compatriots are still there in the woodland as we make our way back.

The old man of the group . . . with his ruddle marks on his chest.

- - - o o o - - -

On Christmas Eve we awoke to a very blustery day.

From the house we could see a mist rising off the lake.

But rather than mist . . . it was spray.

The strong wind blowing through the valley sets up vortices which whip the spray from the top of the waves.

We jump in the car and go for a walk from Lanthwaite Green, hopefully while the effect still lasts.

The gate at the start of the descent to Cinderdale.

	- - - o o o - - - We'll use the smaller gate and the stone weight caught my eye. The old stone, carefully drilled, provides the weight which allows the small gate to effectively become self-closing. People can access the footpath with minimal risk of leaving the gate open and the sheep escaping onto the road. - - - o o o - - -

There's a convenient seat where you could sit to appreciate the view up the lake.

The wind is still strong and the waves are still being whipped up as the gusts get blown down the lake.

From this elevated spot you get a good view of the distant water spouts.

. . . even if it is a bit exposed to the wind !

Come down here you crazy dog . . . you'll get blown off the rock.

It was just a pleasure to stop and admire the force of the wind.

Sometimes the wisps were smaller . . . as if in a sharp line.

At other times the gusts built and built and carried the spray up towards the clouds.

Walking down the lake side we reach "Shark Bay".

The weather was still providing us with the spectacle we came out to see.

The wind gusts and the sound increases . . .

. . . the gust roars down the lake, lifting the spray from the waves.

. . . and heads off to the foot of the lake.

We've reached the boathouse.

Taking advantage of the seat . . . and the shelter of the trees . . . we watch the weather go by.

This gust was closer in and the spray appeared to reach up just as the clouds swirled down from the top of Mellbreak.

This gust provided as swirling vortex rather than a wide band of spray.

It too headed down . . . the surface effect being dissipated when it reached the trees.

Across the way are the houses of High Park . . . now you see them . . .

. . . now you don't.

The Yews by the Pump House are taking a bit of a battering.

- - - o o o - - -

Time to be making our way back for lunch.

We retrace our steps via "Shark Bay".

Harry was shut in behind the gate !

He didn't see that the rest of us had stepped sideways around it where the wall has fallen down.

Back up the slope to Lanthwaite and the car.

Ahead the cloud swirls around the top of Grasmoor too.

The weather continues to impress.

	- - - - o o o - - - One last photo . . . from the other camera. The seat also has a rather nice brass plaque filling in the names of the panorama before you. - - - o o o - - -

The weather is easing slightly . . . but it is still capable of lifting an ear.

Harry's fluffy trousers also give an idea of the strength of the wind.

One last view back.

We'll let the National Trust name the fells.

= = = o o o - - -

Well so much for a white Christmas day !

The day was notable for the rain and the wind, though it wasn't as strong as yesterday.

The only snow to be found up here was on the top of the cake !

Hope you've had a good day.

- - - o o o - - -