Hiley Website

Back home after a week away in Wales, a week during which the weather changed and Cumbria and South Scotland suffered a deluge of rain,

rainfall levels not seen since the floods of 2009 and 2015. Reaching home was in doubt two night ago but the sunshine made today's walk more certain.

However the route of the local walk today was in doubt, it would depend on how high the remaining water level turned out to be.

While I was away I was sent this picture of Braithwaite Village on the eastern side of Whinlatter Pass.

I would need this road to be open to get home by the normal route through the village.

[ Picture courtesy of friends of my daughter's, who were staying in the village this week.]

Picture courtesy of Jonathon and Alison Edwards

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The other picture I received while I was down south

was of the latest flooding of Scale Hill Bridge

by the rising water of the River Cocker.

Both these obstructions were thankfully clear

by the time I arrived back last Thursday evening.

More heavy rain on Friday made the water rise once more.

This was the view from Dodd Fell

of Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water joined by the floods.

Picture by Daniel Gill on the local BBC News page

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It was with my walking friend Loes that we ventured out on Saturday to see what effect the water had inflicted on our local woods.

Flooded Loweswater fields, looking across to Crummock Water and Rannerdale Knotts.

My walking companion Loes at the signpost as one enters the village on the Lorton Road.

The floodwater only covers part of the field today, yesterday it was double the size and spread.

[ The blown over road signs are for long awaited road repairs alongside Loweswater Lake.]

Seen from the bridge, the River Cocker has escaped over its banks and the overflowing water hides its original course from view.

	- - - o o o - - - Looking over the other parapet as the flood waters surge down both sides of the field boundary. The debris from the surrounding woodlands and fields has been captured in the mesh of the field fence. Last time it did this the structure collapsed but the relatively newly repaired wire and posts have coped with the strain this time. - - - o o o - - -



The car park is dry and folk are returning for walks.	The washed up leaves show the area would have been underwater.

Down by the lake, I mean the river, close to the bridge and car park,

the hut that holds the river level gauges shows us an outside water level (damp tide line) not far below the plaque on the left hand side.

That was the extent of the Storm Desmond flood back in 2015

Today, or at least for this hour of today, the sun is shining through the beech trees of Lanthwaite Woods

On the large bend in the woods, just upstream from the swimming pool, the water has risen over the riverside path.

Our bit of "temperate rain forest" is looking particularly damp today.

	- - - o o o - - - Loes crosses a wide section of water-washed debris that has travelled down the lake and been deposited across the track at the back of the beach close to the weir. - - - o o o - - -

No problem in finding sticks for the dogs to chase after today.

The water level has dropped considerably since the high point of the flood

but even now it is overflowing the outer edges of the weir.

The bridge at the weir is cut off by the floods so a walk that direction is not really an option.

Hang on . . . who's that on the bridge ?

Well it seems that Dylan has a different point of view.

He normally crosses the bridge and sees no reason why he shouldn't do the same again today.

I call him back and he calmly jumps into the water and wades back out . . . the path is usable if you don't mind getting wet !

As we are dry I think we'll stay that way . . . a walk along to the boathouse will be a nicer option.



Looking across Crummock Water from the elevated boathouse track.	Without the sparkle, the more dainty tree stands out beautifully.

The water laps around the boathouse and even appears from under the back door of the building.

Again the lakeside path is flooded but we were planning a different route anyway.

	- - - o o o - - - We head uphill from the boathouse and follow the Lanthwaite Farm stream up through the woods. With the high rainfall the water is flowing down both sides of the stone wall that divides the field from the woods. - - - o o o - - -

Sunshine on the fields of Lanthwaite Farm

as seen from the footpath that skirts the edge of the woods on the Grasmoor side of the hill.

Sunshine too on the stark west facing slopes of Grasmoor itself.



A profusion of mushrooms at the base of this tree . . .	. . . and on the path adjacent to it

Climbing Brackenthwaite Hows through the woods was warm work

and Loes sheds her waterproof layer as we climb into the sun that brightens the top.

However it is short lived and the summit is cast into shadow as a large cloud hides the sun.

Still, the view is still nice so I stop to view it on your behalf.

Click here or on the photo above for a 360 degree annotated panorama.

Down the rougher of the two tracks that leads from the Hows back into the woodland.

The path is muddy so we stay on the top track back to Scale Hill Cottages

and walk down the road back towards the bridge.

Bright sunshine once again, this time reflecting off the river and the wet tarmac on the bridge.

Heading towards the bridge and our route back to the cottage.

- - - o o o - - - An artistic one for you. The sun was shining on the ripples of water as they swept down the edge of the road. The water is flooding through many of the field entrances and is not been diverted away due to the drains being blocked by gravel or leaves. - - - o o o - - -

Sunshine on Mellbreak as we return to the cottage.

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Today is the end of October . . the eve of "All Hallows Day".

Deep in the trees of Holme Woods the spirits are a-foot.

	- - - o o o - - - I visited Holme Force and noticed a seasonal addition to the waterfalls. I'm not a believer in the idea of the occult myself but this handy work did raise a smile. Careful how you go tonight ! - - - o o o - - -

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Click here or on the picture to enjoy a YouTube musical video

of Tony Broadbent's walk around Lanthwaite Woods

in September this year. Pictures and music by him.

The river levels were high

but not quite as high as it has been this week.

Thanks Tony lovely guitar playing . . . RmH

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Rainbows on the top of Scale Hill, after one of the passing showers.

Catbells with a 'high tide' on Derwent Water.

Low Fell from a damp field in the valley. ( I'll have to find exactly which field ... a challenge ! )

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Hi Roger,

It was such a pleasant surprise to bump into you and Loes on Saturday afternoon in Lanthwaite woods, I hope you enjoyed your walk as much as we did ours !

We did pretty much the same walk in reverse - up to Brackenthwaite Hows and dropped down to the boathouse and back through the woods.

Autumn is such a special time of the year in the Lakes and despite the weather we managed to get out and about on our mini holiday.

I have sent you some photos, although they won't be up to your standards :) We love the website, and always look forward to a new post to see what you and the dogs have been up to.

Keep up the good work !!
Very best wishes, Andrew and Janine Morgan (Forest of Dean).

Fear not, those photographs are fine.

It was lovely to meet you in the woods today . . . RmH

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