Wednesday 5 May 2021

Early May

The year is flying by and it is going to be summer before I know it. I just wish the temperatures would begin to reflect this - the fells had a covering of snow, and there was a light frost as I cycled to work this morning. My sweet pea and sunflower seeds have not been successful, so I'm going to sow some more this week. Although I'm still not wholly convinced we've seen the last of this cold weather. Fortunately, the strawberry plants don't appear to mind the chill, as they are covered with flowers.

I'm spending the week playing catch-up with myself. Thanks to the Bank Holiday I'm a day behind, but at least this way Friday will arrive much quicker for me. Last weekend was so lovely though. On Saturday we set off early and made our way to Tarn Hows, a National Trust managed area, which is midway between Hawkshead and Coniston. It is known for getting incredibly busy there, which is the main reason I had never actually visited before, so I was relieved when we woke nice and early, enabling us to set off just after 8 o'clock. With my sole focus concentrated on finding a parking space, once we arrived I was abruptly taken aback by the view. It was stunning. And I was, for once, simply lost for words. It was breath taking. Just over the brow of the hill, the tarn sparkled below us with the fells beyond creating the most beautiful backdrop against the clear, blue sky. Unfortunately, as I was driving, I wasn't able to capture this image but I hope you can get a sense of it from the remainder of my photographs. Oh, and in case you were wondering, we got there so early that, in fact, mine ended up being only the second car in the car park 😁 but at least that meant we enjoyed the tarn all to ourselves, for a while at least.





There is an accessible circular walk around the tarn, which we extended to climb Black Fell at the far end. For a small fell it has big views, especially on a bright, clear day such as this. 


Returning back towards the car park, we took a slight detour to view Tom Gill Falls, where we stopped to eat our lunch. Much of the beck looked to be completely dry so we were pleasantly surprised to see any water there at all. It was very pretty there and imagine there would be much more of a surge after a heavy rainfall.


Just before heading for home, and by this time with an overcast sky, we stopped off at the lake, where some time was spent paddle boarding before enjoying a quick visit to the park.

As we wont be going away this summer, I have a feeling we will be doing much more of the same throughout the coming months. And I don't mind one little bit.

J. X



34 comments:

  1. All looks lovely - glad you enjoyed it.

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    1. Thank you, Weave. It was beautiful there and I intend to visit again very soon. X

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  2. What wonderful photos Jules, the sky really has been that colour up here recently.

    I am quite sure we have not seen the last of the frost - really hard one here last night and another forecast for today. Every day I am doing the "protective fleece on, fleece off" dance in the greenhouse. So sorry about your sunflowers 🌻 and sweet peas but it is not too late to have another go. I haven't started my runner beans yet, and might just wait a while longer, haven't really decided yet.

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    1. Early morning is often the best part of the day, so I'm glad we could get out and make the most of it. It was beautiful there and so very quiet.
      I'm in and out with the runner beans each day at the moment, the weather really is all over the place. And now Lily has now brought some pea plants home from school!
      I'm going into town today, so I'll grab myself some more seeds while I'm there. X

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  3. The weather has been strange recently and we had hailstones the other day and then the temperature dropped and it was ever so cold. Your early start paid off and you had a wonderful day out. You can certainly look forward to many more days like that. Beautiful scenery and lovely photographs.

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    1. Yesterday, we had hail the size of marbles here! Thankfully it didn't last long, though little wonder that my seeds haven't grown. I hope it starts to warm up soon. X

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  4. What a beautiful place! Thank you for sharing the photos with us! I was able to imagine myself, there, just drinking in the atmosphere.

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    1. It is beautiful there, Bless. I just wish I could have captured my very first view of it. Perhaps on another visit :)

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  5. You certainly got some great weather and good photos on this walk, that first view is stunning.
    I was back in Manchester on Sunday for more street art, weather-wise it was sunny/cloudy and only started to rain as I got back to the station but Monday was dreadful, it hardly stopped raining all day.

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    1. I always say, first thing in the morning is the best time to get out. Although that wasn't the case when I went up Nab Scar! :)
      I'm looking forward to seeing the street art. I'm going to have a blog catch up this evening. X

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  6. I am always amazed that, in your photos, you seem to be the only person in that beautiful part of the country. It's hard to get that kind of solitude here but I bet you relish it!

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    1. I don't like crowds, so if I'm going somewhere which has a tendency to be busy, I will time my visits for when it is likely to be quiet.
      We did initially have the tarn to ourselves but there were more visitors there by the time we came down from the fell. X

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  7. Amazing!
    What beautiful photos!
    Thank you for sharing them with us.

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    1. It's a beautiful place, Billie Jo. X

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  8. We're still getting frosts too and this is the South East where it's supposed to be a bit warmer.
    Wonderful photos. I can't imagine living anywhere more lovely. Thanks for sharing them.
    xx

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    1. I've never known it to be quite so cold this far into spring before. I've just this moment sown some more sweet peas, so I'm hoping for some warmer weather now. X

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  9. Beautiful photos. I think you did the right thing arriving early, it's always good to have a place to yourselves for a while, especially when you know it's usually busy, makes it all the more special.

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    1. I could hardly believe it, when we arrived to find it so quiet. It was definitely worth the early start, however. X

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  10. What a lovely day out. I wouldn't be in the slightest bit bothered about not going on holiday if I had all that lovely countryside and places to visit on my doorstep. I'm not convinced about the weather yet either, it's still very cold here. I'm itching to get on and plant the pots but will have to remain patient for now. xx

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    1. I feel very lucky, Suzanne. It often feels like I've been away after a weekend out in the Lakes. X

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  11. What gorgeous photos, so clear and crisp. I'm looking forward to getting back into the Lakes for days out now that we are so much closer.

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    1. I'm looking forward to seeing where you decide to visit. X

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  12. How beautiful! I must visit the Lakes soon. Yes getting there early is key, I try to get out early for my walk here too, if there's just a bit of sunshine the sea front is heaving. It's freezing and poring with rain here again I wonder if we are going to get any Spring at all.

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    1. It may look it, but it's certainly not feeling very spring-like here just now. I hope it starts to warm up very soon. X

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  13. Such a beautiful place and I can imagine how lovely it was to have the place to yourself. Another place to add to my ever lengthening list. B x

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    1. I have a similar list, and it just keeps on growing :)

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  14. Stunning views - you hardly need to go away on holiday when you have such beauty on your doorstep. It is bitterly cold here in Scotland with snow on the hills in the distance - I suspect it is none too warm there either.x

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    1. I won't be putting my gloves away any time soon. X

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  15. Hello Jules, I am a first-time visitor who stopped in from Graham's Eagleton Notes blog and so glad I did to see these beautiful scenes. What breathtaking views on your walk and a perfect day as well. We have been going on local expeditions either close to home or ones within New England. And, those day trips and getaways have been quite nice as was yours.

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Beatrice. It is wonderful to have access to such beautiful countryside. Days out here can be rather special. X

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  16. You have absolutely breathtaking scenery where you live, and good plan getting out early before it got too busy.

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    1. Getting an early start usually pays off. X

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  17. So pleased you shared this breath-taking scenery.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jan. It was a lovely walk. X

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