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" Holiday Crowds and a Keswick MOT "

Date & start time:      31st July 2020.  ( late morning and late afternoon).

Location of Start :     By the red phone box, Loweswater, Cumbria, Uk. ( NY 143 211 )

Places visited :          Sandy Yat beach then a drive from Keswick through Borrowdale.

Walk details :              Local walk to the lake and back, avoiding the crowds

Highest point :           Birthday Cake for the boy.

Walked with :              Myself and our dogs, Dylan and Dougal.

Weather :                    Sunshine and blue skies, becoming overcast and hazy later.

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With the car MOT delayed due to Covid, it really was about time to get the car checked out, so a trip to Keswick was on the cards.

On the way back I took the scenic route via friends at Grange then up and over Honister Pass.

Too complicated to take the dogs out while I was doing that so before I set off I took them on a walk to the lake.

It seemed the world and his wife had got there before me !

Our teenager enjoys his walk down to the lake.  At two year old tomorrow he's full of energy

and has turned out to be a keen swimmer and player of toys and sticks (though no interest in harebells as far as I can ascertain).

Down by Crummock Water it is a hot day with a warm breeze, gentle enough but still able to ruffle the water.

The weather has brought out the summer crowds again.

There are folk socially distances all round the edge of the lake, even across at the boathouse across the water.

( however the camera phone picture doesn't show them very clearly.)

Likewise Sandy Yat beach is as full as I've ever seen it, with people sat everywhere.

Still, it is not as crowded as the South of England beaches thank goodness.

Several folk were in swimming but it is time for a late lunch as I've a trip to Keswick later.

- - - o o o - - -

With the Covid problems and the garages shut we were all given a reprieve from having the car MOT'd.

Now nearly three months on it really is time that I had the car tested so a trip to Keswick was required.

On the way home I took the scenic route via Borrowdale.

- - - o o o - - -

Ashness Pier.  The beach is full of people as was Calfclose Bay.

The launches are not using the pier at present.

The Keswick Launch Company are currently only doing non-stop trips around the lake though Hawes End Pier (Catbells) is still functioning.

Check out their sailings here before planning your trip.

Like Sandy Yat and so many Lake district lakesides, the crowds are out, complete with all forms of water-based toys.

This summer the type of visitor has changed as folk are having days out and 'stay-cations' instead of holidaying abroad.

The classic Lake District walking visitor will presumably return next month once the schools go back.

The grand Lodore Hotel towards the head of the lake.

Their new Wedding Venue and Spa building is looking good.

Their outdoor wedding area and riverside decking is now complete, perfect for when bigger wedding parties are allowed once more.

Low river levels, high visitor numbers at Grange Bridge pools.

The start of the road climb up and over Honister Pass.

The small building behind the blue sign holds the new hydro-electric power generator which feeds the valley with power.

The vegetation has grown over and the scar from the pipeline that brings water directly down from the top of the hill can no longer be seen.

At the top of the pass are the buildings of the Honister Mine.

The 'Sky Hi Cafe' is open for business.

I love their sculpture work, not only in the natural seating

but also in their artistic pieces such as the round globe, the cyclist and the four square winner's flag.

A slate representation of Ambleside's Bridge House.
Honister's answer to the Andrew Gormley statues.

Time to be heading home . . .

Down the steep hill into Honister Valley, more correctly known as Gatesgarthdale.

For viewers of "The A Word" television programme, the road and the rocks will look familiar.

So too will be the Buttermere Pines to regular Lake District visitors.

The picturesque St James's Church, Buttermere.

- - - o o o - - -

Did I mention it was Dougal's Birthday ?

One day on and it is time for two candles on the cake, in fact it is two candles on the cheesy scones, for the two year old.

For Dylan's sake there's two separate scones, one for each dog !

- - - o o o - - -

 

You think we're mad

devoted,

besotted,

totally doggy orientated ?

 

Well, we're not the only ones.

 

Our friend Catherine sent us this picture of

her dog Meg's birthday cake.

Meg was 13 on the 16th July.

 

- - - o o o - - -

Finally, two from the garden the other evening . . .

Hedgehog " Match of the Day "

Two youngsters in the garden . . . haven't they learnt that the drinking water bowl isn't really a hedgehog bath.

But then . . . why not !

- - - o o o - - -

 

Technical note: Pictures taken with either my iPhone 6 or the Panasonic Lumix Gx8 Camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . being home, far from the madding crowds.

Go to Home Page . . . © RmH . . . Email me here

Previous walk - 26th July 2020 - Garden and Wildlife

A previous time up here - 10th August 2007 The Honister Mine, Cathedral Tour

Next walk - 12th August 2020 - Lorton and Spout Force