It has been a month of variable weather so I start with a picture
of a valley rainbow and rather damp looking Scawgill Bridge.
We've had nice weather too and a walk over at Cogra Moss brings
surprise path improvements to light.

Multi coloured Grasmoor on a walk a few days ago.

I also visited Whinlatter and the Aiken Beck Valley
to see how the heavy rain had affected Spout Force Waterfall.

The path seems to have developed a rash of printed
graffiti.
However I'll live dangerously and pop my head
round the corner to see if the signs are relevant to my walk today.

The sound of heavy hauling equipment and crashing
timber confirmed that the signs were true.
I think this is as far as we go today !

Clear felling of the mature woodland will really
alter this walk in the future.
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I stay for a few minutes to admire the
procedure
then leave the guys to continue their
work.
In the evening we tucked ourselves away from the weather
and watched some television.
I noticed that the dogs were attracted to the farm
programme
which showed sheep being gathered
and the farmer controlling his dogs
with a series of whistles.
If only mine were that well trained !
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However since then it hasn't rained all the time,
and on the Thursday the sun shone and the dogs
and I ventured a little further from home.

Driving past Loweswater, the pheasant woodland
shape on Carling Knott stands out in the sunshine.

I drove the five miles round to the hamlet of
Felldyke and set off up the track to Cogra Moss Reservoir.

Overlooking the lake is Blake Fell . . . but we'll
leave that for another day.
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The track
is maintained for the fishermen and the reservoir vehicles. |
Rose Bay Willow Herb is
in season. |

There's been more tree clearance in the last year.
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The woodland
on the right has grown back . . . |
. . . and with the beech
trees to the left they almost forms a tunnel. |

Looking across the reservoir wall, the full extent
of tree felling is clearer.

The reservoir is no longer used for public water
supply but is maintained for leisure walking and fishing.

To that end the National Park is creating a wider
and drier path all the way round the lake.
They are upgrading the path here, maybe even to
wheelchair accessible standard.
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Beyond where
the digger has reached . . . |
. . . the state of the
path is much worse. |

Trees on High Hows have been partially felled but not yet cleared.

We reach the fisherman's chairs, but only at the expense of
wet shoes !
Fortunately the waterproofing of my favourite trainers is holding
out !

Looking across the lake to Knock Murton on the western
side.

Ahead is a new, wide forestry track.
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I had chatted to the digger driver
and found out the plans
but the sign just a little further on
formally explains the work
and the intentions
of the National Park.
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" Take care as it is uneven in places "
. . . doesn't that apply to normal fell walking ?

The track gives easy access to the back of the
lake.
previous felling and re-growth over here is starting
to hide the scars of the commercial forestry.

The new road comes to an end at the back of the
lake.
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It will be used to extract all the commercial
timber . . . |
. . . some of which has been waiting
a while to be removed. |

From here the old path continues on around the
lake.

It will really open up the area and make walking
easier.
Sadly however, due to the timber clearance, it
will take a number of years before the area could be classed as
"attractive" once again.

The unmade path joins up with the gravel path
that was constructed a few years ago.
The plan is to make it this quality all the way
around.
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The higher track was the
route we used last time to avoid the bog. |
This track is joined by the path
you could use to climb Blake. |

The path back to the dam has naturalised well
and still provides easy access to all.

The island has a walkway and handrail out to it
. . . provided you have waders !

Back round to the dam . . . circular walk completed
easily within the hour.

Gravel chippings, presumably to surface the new
path.

Time to be heading back . . . past the beech trees
and small waterfall.

With the bottom gate securely locked, this top
one is now left open.

Back to Felldyke.
The old Water Board pumping station has now been
converted to Bunkhouse
accommodation for visitors.
A "new" walk today . . . or at
least an old one being made into a much more accessible option.