Hiley Website

A busy autumn period started with September and hasn't stopped. Lots of lovely guests enjoying the Summer sunshine,

but by the end of the month Autumn had arrived and skies had turned cloudy and the wind blustery.

Here are a few pictures from the month's activities.

Friend from Swansea, Sandra and Jacky, plus Sandra's son Nick were "up north" and so came over to stay for a few nights.

They wanted a local walk to see the area, so for a change we did a "Round Loweswater" walk.

This is everyone at Hudson Place, where the Pinfolds have placed a few artistic items on display.

Down in the bottom of the valley the Dub Beck looks a little different from last year.

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The small river that feed the top end of Loweswater lake

had been straightened in days of old,

in order to improve the valley fields for livestock.

Now, with the emphasis on environmental matters

such as insect life and reducing the green algae in the lake,

the beck has been re-connected to its natural floodplain

with a series of meanders.

The old 'canalised route has been filled

and the river now its old course.

For more information on the project,

click here or on on the photo opposite.

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The wider picture as the new river bed starts to become more naturalised.

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The following week, friends Margaret, Catherine and Tony came over to stay for a few nights

[ My camping pod in the garden is getting heavy use !]

On this beautiful morning we enjoyed a walk down to Crummock via Lanthwaite Woods.

The weir was looking particularly spectacular.

Looking across the surface of the lake towards Rannerdale Knotts.

Getting deep down and personal with the meniscus !

Not worried about the technicalities, someone just wants the ball throwing into the lake again.

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Not having tired them out enough in the morning, Tony, Cath and Margaret requested a visit to see Loweswater.

What better than to repeat the round walk of last week, this time with Loes making five.

Summer meadows on the side of Loweswater, taken from the Hudson Place track to Holme Wood.

Nearly home . . . do you get the feeling you are being watched ?

The hot tub is heating up . . . but sadly the cloud cover is increasing at the same time.

No worries . . . pass the Apéritifs.

[ Hang on , we seem to be a leg missing !]

All clean and refreshed . . . it was time to head off to The Kirkstile for supper.

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When no-one is about, I do manage a walk on my own, after all the dogs need to get out every day.

Overnight rain has swollen the streams and rivers

and this was equally true of the unnamed beck that flows across the fields to Godferhead's wildlife ponds.

Before they get there, the stream fills and passes through the new wildlife pond and flood defence pool.

The far end has a "leaky dam" to hold back flood water and release it more slowly into the River Cocker over by the trees.

It is full today and the top overflow is working for possibly the first time.

This is one of several new wildlife ponds and flood prevention measures that are springing up in the valley.

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Finally . . .

Just after the gale I had a trip into the big city . . . Keswick !

Here in Fitz Park I found a wooden sculpture of the Great North Air Ambulance looking a little splashed with mud after the rain.

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£1 from the sale of each calendar below will be shared between the Air Ambulance and my local Mountain Rescue teams.

I hope you can support this good cause which relies on voluntary funding to be able to provide the service it does.

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