© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number PU 100034184.

 

Normally on this walk we park at the start of the Mosser Road and, if doing a linear walk, go back and fetch the car later.

In the spirit of non-driving I walked with the dogs the mile or so to the turn, much less of a problem at present due to lack of traffic.

It also allowed me to take a closer look at the scenery as I walked along.

The weather this Easter has been fine, a bit too dry for the grass but the morning dew must help a little.

However with the high pressure the winds have tended to be north-easterlies which are rather cool, so temperatures are not like the south.

What is noticeable with the lack of cars and people is the silence and the spring bird song which has been seemingly better than ever.

What could possibly break the magic ?

Think the loudest noise you can without the house actually falling down around your ears . . .

F15's presumably from the US Air Force have been out on manoeuvres,

flying repeatedly over the house on some days and not always this high above the ground.

If you get one then you usually get two, so here's the second roaring overhead, chasing the other up the valley,

flying low between the mountain passes.      Even the dogs stopped and looked up and they are not aircraft fans !

- - - o o o - - -

After a busy morning and a late lunch it was time to take the dogs out for a walk.

With the lack of road traffic the first part of this walk would be a lot more enjoyable today.

Walking gives you time to think and remember what you know of places . . . this is Rose Cottage. 

It has been many things in its long life. 

	- - - o o o - - -   It was built in 1784 and known as "School House". The village pupils were taught by the Vicar, financially supported by local benefactors.     It has also been home to the local blacksmith Jobby Beck and in later years the ladies there sold sweets to the children on their way home from school.   Thanks to Loweswatercam viewer Syd for finding the picture. - - - o o o - - -

In 1839 a new school was built further up the hill, as Rose Cottage was far too small.

The upper floor became the School House residence and the ground floor a space for 80 pupils, though usually only 40 attended.

[ Many thanks to Sheila Richardson and Pat Evans's book 'Loweswater' for the information.]       

The left hand, single story extension was added only after the school closed in 1948, when the building became the Village Hall.  

More details on that can be found on a previous web page here. 

High Cross / Long House on the brow of the hill . . . the farm buildings are still in agricultural use but the farmer is no longer resident.

The white house is self-catering accommodation, ready for when groups of friends are allowed to return

or when larger families want to spend time enjoying the area and the spacious accommodation on offer.

Over the brow of the hill and we get our first view of Loweswater, sparkling in the sunshine.

There's some blue smoke in the air, it's not a problem with the picture !

The local farmer is having some fencing done and is burning off the cleared brash from the hedge.

Passing Crabtreebeck Cottage, now repaired and refurbished after a flooding problem.

The beck which travels down the side of the house and under the road by the green fence, burst its banks higher up and flooded through the house

and back garden. The problem is now fixed and the house is looking lovely again.

As it happens, the house was also the scene of a tragic and much more major flood in 1828.   Click here for a newspaper report from the time.

In hindsight this second photo would have looked even better if I had temporarily moved the re-cycling bin !

Where the beck enters the lake I notice the owners have built a rustic bench where they can sit and enjoy the view.

" We'll give you a pound for every strayed animal " the Parish said.

Not a pound in money . . . a 'Pound', Pinfold or enclosure to keep stray farm animals whilst the owners came to collect them.

The notice on the road side gives details if you are passing.

Where's Dougal . . . he's shot down the bank hoping for a swim or a stick to chase.

We often park at the signpost and walk this track.

Today I've already been walking for half an hour before I reach this point.

That sparkle on Loweswater remains as the sun continues to shine over Burnbank Fell.

Up to Jon's Seat . . . normally the dogs stop here for treats but they seem to have forgotten today.

The seat was placed as a tribute to Jon Duff and a plaque added for his wife Enid after her passing in 2010.

Thanks very much for this and the rest of the information you sent . . . RmH

- - - o o o - - -

The view forward from the seat, encompassing Loweswater and Carling Knott.

Once clear of the trees there's a fine view of Mellbreak, Red Pike, Starling Dodd and Hen Comb.

At the top of the rise the view changes to include Crummock Water and the fells at the head of Buttermere.

Close up of Rannerdale, Fleetwith Pike, Green and Great Gable, seen above the Crabtree Beck woodland.

For those that are about to ask, it is still too early for the bluebells at Rannerdale as they have not yet started to bloom.

I feel the flowers may be a little small and also delayed this year, as the lack of rainfall in the last few weeks won't have encouraged them to grow.