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A walk over to our lake of Loweswater and a stroll through the woods on a lovely day.

Gone are the purples of the bluebells and we are now into the greens and blues of summer.

A local walk was extended slightly as it was a great day to be out.

Maggie's bridge car park is open but you are positively discouraged from driving any further.

A distinct lack of sheep in the meadows as they are presumably on the higher fields and fells,

leaving these meadows to grow a flower rich hay crop, not quite up to 'flower meadow' standards yet but getting there.

The high ground behind is Burnbank Fell, with the Loweswater Pheasant outlined in the shape and tree colour that adorn its flanks.

Across the foot of the lake is Crabtree Beck and the various houses at Thrushbank and Higher Thrushbank.

Behind them the slopes of Low Fell rise towards the blue of the sky.

The track approaches the lake and curves gently toward Watergate Farm.

I'm heading for the cool of the Holme Woods trees ahead.

Watergate Farm and Barn and the old rowing boats, sadly no longer serviceable.

There are a few people about and one of them has a dog like ours . . .

Oh dear, it is ours and he is swimming after the other dog's tennis ball.

A quick call and he's back and I can throw the ball for the correct dog to chase.



The gravel beaches are wider, exaggerated by the low water levels.	The foxgloves are also in full bloom at this time of year.

Hardly worth taking the footbridge today as there's very little water in the small beck.

All quiet at the Bothy . . . but there are people enjoying the beach and the rope swing alongside.

Holme Beck has just enough water to be flowing directly into Loweswater.

A few weeks ago it was drier and the water soaked away into the gravel without reaching the lake.

Dougal enjoys a swim, encouraged in by a few sticks.

Dylan, well he can't be bothered . . . "its only a stick and Dougal will fetch it !"

Through the woods and out the other side, following the track towards Hudson Place Farm.

The building in the picture is the old farm of Myresyke on the other side of the lake.

The two late-sprouting ash trees down by the lake shore are now in leaf.

These two trees were the perfect setting for the wedding venue of Philippa Bell and Graham (of Hudson Farm) several years back now.

New foxgloves, old tree.

We've turned now and are making our way back to Holme Woods.

" If you'll wait a minute I'll be opening the gate ! "



Holme Beck foot bridge.	The beck underneath is hardly running, as we saw earlier.

Back past the Bothy now we've completed the circuit within the woods.

Dougal has to wait for me at this gate as there isn't a stile on this one.

Diversion number one . . . I'm not keen on straight out-and-back walks

so I head off up the permitted footpath through the Watergate Farm buildings, heading for High Nook.

I spotted a fox on the wall . . . and was just about to compliment myself on a well spotted and opportune photo moment

when I realised that it wasn't moving, in fact it hasn't moved since it was cemented in place !

It had me fooled for a minute (or "had me foxed" as John Grayson pointed out . . . thanks John)



The owner of the Barn has built an interesting cairn in the paddock.	A different view a minute later revealed it to be a fine seat.

Looking back at Low Fell.

These power lines occasionally get struck by falling trees and I thought the scheduled five hour power cut we experienced last week

was to allow the electricity board to remove all the overhanging trees and branches. They seem to have removed very few ?

Across the fields on a more open, less well defined path.

One more wide field and one final gate on the footpath brings us out at the new High Nook Bridge.

The oversized wall is to prevent excess flood water by-passing the bridge and thereby damaging the roadway

should they have another flash-flood like the one experienced here a few years back.

It's a warm day and mum prefers the shelter of the trees . . . her youngster is happy just to sunbathe.

A worried sheep bleating loudly after being separated from its mature lamb.

The undercut bank and river is preventing them getting back together after one of them wondered off across the beck.



I think this oak has seen better days . . . but it is trying hard to survive.	A fine set of horns on the Swaledale ram, as we cross the meadows.

The old bridge was damaged by the heavy crane that repaired the High Nook bridge.

so the gate by the second (Maggie's) bridge is now closed to vehicles (which use an alternative route) but not closed to walkers.

Low Fell and the white stonework of High Cross Farm, as we walk up the road once more.

'The Millennium View' from outside the Loweswater Village Hall, slightly less distinct due to today's summer haze.

The second diversion of the day takes me down the road to the Kirkstile Inn.

They have been working hard to get ready for the post-corvid re-opening on July 4th of the pub and the hotel.

In the mean time they have been surviving on off-sales of beer on a 'click and collect' basis.

Whiteside, Whin Ben and Grasmoor from the road near Low Park.

The building is Muncaster House . . . a long way from Muncaster Fell which is on the coast near Ravenglass.

A final view of the Church and the Kirkstile Inn as we cross the fields on the way home.

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