Hiley Website

November lives up to its reputation of being a very wet month.

Wave after wave of low pressure systems barge across the country after gaining moisture from their journeys from warmer climes.

This year is no exception, as that moisture condenses out and falls on the land to swell the rivers and fill the lakes.

[ To be fair I think the rest of the country has also suffered high winds and rainfall.]

This week was exceptionally blustery, with high winds whipping down Crummock Water,

lifting the spray off the top of the waves and aiming it at me. [ I wasn't going to take photos but it was rather impressive !]

The lake is full to overflowing and the strong winds have drawn all the floatable lake debris down to the beach at this end.

The wall next to the weir is covered in sticks and vegetation from fallen trees carried from further up the lake.



The spray is flying as waves crash into the stone wall.	Not put off by the weather, someone still wants to play !

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On Wednesday the 9th, I drove up to Buttermere for a walk.

The Croft Cafe is open at 2.30 pm but there are more folk inside than out.

The lady at the Fish, I mean the Buttermere Court, is busy putting up Christmas lights on the front of the hotel.

I'll have to call by one dark evening to appreciate the Christmas display.



The notice to dog owners mentioned sheep in the lane . . . they weren't wrong.	Sour Milk Gill is running well after the wet weather.

Sadly the tree trunk that I've trained the dogs to run along, has rotted and been removed.

Fleetwith Pike across the fields . . . nothing will remove that !

Down by Scales Bridge there are large flat stones edging the river bank.

They make great stepping stones today as the river has flooded across onto the trackway.

Crossing Scales Bridge, the fields beyond are also underwater.



I turn left and make my way back upstream towards Buttermere lake.	The river is full and level with the river banks here.

This track on the opposite side of the river is often wet and today was no exception.

Several times the streams that cross the route have met blocked culverts and just flooded across the path.



Two lads sit and enjoy the spectacle of the Sour Milk Gill waterfalls.	All that water ends up channeled under the small foot bridge.

Dubbs Bridge takes the larger outflow of Buttermere lake, which is moving deep and fast today.

I extend the walk by taking the path across the western end of the lake.

Heavy early-summer cutting back of the ash trees has resulted in new growth, no doubt helped by the warm autumn weather.

The Spindle Tree however, never seems to grow any bigger.

Today it's toes are well and truly soaking in the water (as were mine).

The older trees make a fine frame to reflect the shape of Haystacks at the head of the valley.

High Stile and High Crag standing proud as I leave the lake and head back to the village.

The path clambers over a rocky outcrop, which gives a chance for a look back at the lake

and at the panorama of the surrounding high fells, now including Red Pike on this end of the trio.

A splash of sunshine on the high fells catches my eye.

This was Grasmoor in late afternoon sun as the dogs and I walked away from the lake and back towards the village.

Following the track back through Wilkinsyke Farm and back to my start point near Syke Farm Cafe.

[ I must check if they still have Loweswatercam Calendars on sale for late-season visitors to buy and take home ! ]

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