Hiley Website

It has been a busy week of visitors, both human and otherwise.

I've been keeping a note of red squirrel visits to the garden for the Northern Red Squirrel Group

and although red sightings are not regular, the hazel nuts seem to be disappearing at a reasonable rate !

This is one of two I've seen this month . . . the tail colour being the quickest guide to the individuals identity.

I've also had visits regular visits from this Great Spotted Woodpecker

who's been doing his best to eat up all the peanuts.

Could be a large mouse or a baby rat.

Either way I have an arrangement . . . if they stay in the garden and not come in the house, then I don't get angry and do something unpleasant !

Either way they do manage to keep the floor around the base of the bird table clean of fallen food.

Two people here are ready for a walk. Won't be long dogs, we've got visitors shortly.

Loes you've met on previous walks. She lives locally in St Bees.

Her Dutch friend Frieke is over for a week's holiday and would like to see Loweswater, as she's heard a lot about it in her conversations.



The farm track from Maggie's Bridge towards High Nook.	Loes and myself at the start of the walk.

( Frieke had forgotten to bring her camera today so borrowed my phone . . . nearly all these pictures are taken by her ).



The White Oak Beck joining the High Nook river.	Tables turned . . . myself and Frieke.

We took the permissive footpath from High Nook Bridge across to Watergate Farm

crossing a couple of fields and walking on the edge of the woodland. I believe these are Larch Bolete mushrooms under the trees.

	- - - o o o - - - Passing Watergate Farm now the private residence of the area National Trust warden. They also have the old farmhouse available to let as a holiday home - - - o o o - - -



Old family transport . . . seen better days !	Newer works transport . . . very much a workhorse.

From the path to Watergate we emerge onto the meadows alongside Loweswater Lake. It is just a short distance to the gate into Holme Woods. - - - o o o - - -

Walking along Frieke notices that everyone has stopped to look at something in the lake . . .



One mad Dougal, intent on swimming after sticks . . .	. . . . which everyone has a turn in throwing for him.



The Bothy in the Woods . . . also available to hire.	Another family group is enjoying the next beach along.

- - - o o o - - - Just beyond the bridge over Holme Beck there's a magic tree . . . the Goblin Tree. It used to have a name board, several other notices woodland animals and a garden gnome. Sadly they've all disappeared over the summer but the custodian may well attempt to reinstate them as the tree has been vary popular with the children and visitors to the woods. - - - o o o - - -

We do a slow circuit of the woods via the lakeside path and return on the main track towards the Bothy and Watergate Farm.

Here Loes and Frieke stop on the second of the Holme Beck bridges to have their photo taken.

[ These two Dutch ladies met as teenagers when they were both in Britain, each working as Au Pairs.]



Frieke notices the decorated Christmas Tree in the woods . . .	. . . and this couple, one of many enjoying the lake.

Back to the cottage and a quick lunch before they return to Loes's home.

Frieke has to get ready for her flight back to Holland after her week in Cumbria.

- - - o o o - - -