It has been a busy week of visitors, both human and otherwise.
I've been keeping a note of red squirrel visits to the garden
for the Northern
Red Squirrel Group
and although red sightings are not regular, the hazel nuts seem
to be disappearing at a reasonable rate !
This is one of two I've seen this month . . . the tail colour
being the quickest guide to the individuals identity.
I've also had visits regular visits from this Great
Spotted Woodpecker
who's been doing his best to eat up all the peanuts.
Could be a large mouse or a baby rat.
Either way I have an arrangement . . . if they stay in the garden
and not come in the house, then I don't get angry and do something
unpleasant !
Either way they do manage to keep the floor around the base of
the bird table clean of fallen food.
Two people here are ready for a walk. Won't be long
dogs, we've got visitors shortly.
Loes you've met on previous walks. She lives locally in
St Bees.
Her Dutch friend Frieke is over for a week's holiday and would
like to see Loweswater, as she's heard a lot about it in her conversations.
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The farm track
from Maggie's Bridge towards High Nook. |
Loes and myself at the
start of the walk. |
( Frieke had forgotten to bring her camera
today so borrowed my phone . . . nearly all these pictures are
taken by her ).
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The White
Oak Beck joining the High Nook river. |
Tables turned . . . myself
and Frieke. |
We took the permissive footpath from High Nook
Bridge across to Watergate Farm
crossing a couple of fields and walking on the
edge of the woodland. I believe these are Larch
Bolete mushrooms under the trees.
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- - - o o o - - -
Passing Watergate Farm
now the private residence of the
area National Trust warden.
They also have the old farmhouse available
to let as a holiday
home
- - - o o o - - -
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Old family
transport . . . seen better days ! |
Newer works transport
. . . very much a workhorse. |
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From the path to Watergate
we emerge onto the meadows alongside Loweswater Lake.
It is just a short distance to the gate into Holme
Woods.
- - - o o o - - -
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Walking along Frieke notices that everyone has
stopped to look at something in the lake . . .
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One mad Dougal, intent on swimming after
sticks . . . |
. . . . which everyone has a turn in
throwing for him. |
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The Bothy in the Woods .
. . also available to hire. |
Another family group is enjoying the
next beach along. |
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Just beyond the bridge over Holme Beck
there's a magic tree . . . the Goblin Tree.
It used to have a name board, several other notices
woodland animals and a garden gnome.
Sadly they've all disappeared over the summer
but the custodian may well attempt to reinstate them
as the tree has been vary popular with the children
and visitors to the woods.
- - - o o o - - -
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We do a slow circuit of the woods via the lakeside
path and return on the main track towards the Bothy and Watergate
Farm.
Here Loes and Frieke stop on the second of the
Holme Beck bridges to have their photo taken.
[ These two Dutch ladies met as teenagers when
they were both in Britain, each working as Au Pairs.]
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Frieke notices the decorated
Christmas Tree in the woods . . . |
. . . and this couple, one of many enjoying
the lake. |
Back to the cottage and a quick lunch before they return to Loes's
home.
Frieke has to get ready for her flight back to Holland after
her week in Cumbria.