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On the same day that Ann was on the Loweswater Ladies excursion (see link at the base of the page)

Cathy, Jack, Catherine and I decided to do the low level walk around Mellbreak. 

On yet another hot and sunny day we decided that to have a shower at Scale Force rather than a bathe in the lake

would be a great way to stay cool !

Parched grass that has really turned colour in the last week or so.

My companions today . . . Cathy, Catherine and Jack, plus the three dogs.

In the heat the sheep are sheltering in the shade under the trees

The farmer has cut up a fallen branch but not yet removed it.

They have had a reasonable first hay crop but the problem now is that there is no secondary growth.

A second cut will be poor unless the weather changes.

We hear that some farm animals are being fed new winter store or being put out into hayfields just to get enough to eat.

Deeper rooted plants like the tall grasses and the bracken are still finding moisture.

On the open fells where water is more scarce, some of the bracken is starting to change colour.

In this photo we've topped the rise above High Park and descend to Crummock Water.

There's a view of Jack and Catherine's Monday Rannerdale walk across the way.

What was nice about today, apart from all the other nice things,

was that there was an interesting amount of cloud in the sky making the blue stand out.

It also produced a certain amount of light and shade on the fells.

We've descended to almost lake level . . . Bilbo and Dylan are in

and Boris is already on the way back saying that the water's fine.

We pass the Iron Stone and head on to Low Ling Crag.

Not sure of the history of the stone, whether it is a glacial erratic, or just fell off  and rolled down the side of Mellbreak millennia ago.

Interesting clouds, blue sky and consequently a rich blue reflection on the lake from the wide gravel beach.

As we pass the old hawthorn tree we're looking south into the light so colours are less impressive.

The lake level is about a foot or more down and the old wrought iron fence post is high and dry for a change.

If it is a foot or more down over the whole lake then that's an awful lot of water that hasn't fallen as rain in recent weeks.

Low Ling Crag and the gravel bank we cross to approach it.

A deep-rooted foxglove survives despite the poor conditions but it is much smaller than normal.

The rest of the grass around it is parched and withered.

Family photo . . . taken by Catherine . . . thanks.

Low Ling Crag is always a nice spot to stop and look around.

This is the view south east up Crummock Water to Fleetwith Pike and Brandreth.

Across to High Ling Crag . . . a hard rock intrusion on the side of Mellbreak that survived the glacial erosion.

In the distant trees on the left of the photo is Scale Force waterfall . . . our next objective.

I hope there's some water in it as this part of Scale Beck is absolutely dry.

A little further on we catch up with the main stream which is still running reasonably well.

The tree cover in the gorge is sufficient to hide the sights and sound of the falls . . . but we know it is there !

The question is how much water is falling over the waterfall ?

Jack is up ahead and adds scale to the photo.

The highest waterfall in the Lake District is Scale Force with a single drop of 170 ft, and two other cascades of about 20 ft.

He thought he might have a shower today but the falls are too small and the pool too deep to stand under it.