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Last time we went to Cogra Moss they were renovating the overflow / drainage system for the reservoir.

The place was a mess, there were contractor's equipment churning up the track and there was mud everywhere.

This was the scene in December last year when the work was in full progress.

We'd estimated that it should now be done and dusted, cleared and grown back, after having time to settle in over the summer.

Time for a re-visit . . . and Saturday was a nice day to go . . . it also meant we kept away from the crowds elsewhere .

This was the fine long distance view of Scotland looking over the roof of the Felldyke Bunkhouse and the Solway Plain at the start of the walk.

It's a promising start . . . new gates and not a drop of mud in sight.

Looking over the fields to Owsen Fell.

The new fences along side the track we are on has created a field that is being used to keep two rather nice horses.

Up at the forest gate . . . no shortages of notices . . . but all about forestry or fishing.

The first view of Cogra Moss reservoir through the ancient beech trees avenue alongside the track.

The mountain in the background is Blake Fell, more normally seen by us from the Loweswater side.

Looking down at the Cogra Moss reservoir overflow

and along side it the new (red) pipe system for emergency draining of the lake, should it ever be necessary.

Up at track level only a new set of steps and a few manhole covers are evidence of the extensive work done.

Life goes on as before . . . and the fishermen are back.

To avoid the guys fishing on the right hand side, we opt to go left and cross the dam.

It is a beautiful afternoon and the colours are lovely, the lake reflecting the rich blue of the sky above.

Click here or on the photo above for a larger annotated version

Looking back at the one fisherman on this side . . . he's fly fishing for trout or whatever the lake holds.

A boardwalk projects shoreward from the island and gives access to a seat and fishing position further out into the lake.

A word of warning:  They are improving the path around the lake and the gravel path on the other side is quite well advanced.

No such luck this side and with the recent rains the lake level is up and the going was extremely damp to reach this viewpoint.

No such problems for the dogs as they positively revel in the water.