October half-term

Several people have been in touch concerned about last week’s heavy rainfall. Yes, it was bad and worrying at times but overall we were very lucky that there was no major flooding or damage. Over 12 inches of rain fell on Honister Pass! Keswick and Cockermouth did not suffer too badly, flood defences were effective and the towns were also protected, apparently, by Thirlmere being six metres lower than normal so the lake was able to hold more water.

I had my daughter, Clare and her two children for half-term so on Thursday we abandoned our rainy day plans to go to the Senhouse Museum at Maryport and opted for a walk/paddle down to Crummock Water. The roads locally were generally passable but not good, the dustbin men didn’t make it, Stephen the postie, did!

The water had started to come across the bridge at Scale Hill from the flooded field which two swans had taken advantage of.

The car park was flooded and the United Utilities ‘house’ next to the car park was an island.

The lake was very high and there was, and still is, a lot of debris. The seat in the picture is the one by the lakeshore.

The worst of the flooding started to recede by the following day and in the afternoon we went along to Buttermere for a walk. Sour Milk Gill was looking spectacular. Sykes Farm café was open and we all enjoyed an excellent cup of hot chocolate before coming home. We decided it wasn’t an ice cream day!

Although the end of the week was not what we were expecting we had a super time at Muncaster earlier in the week. They really know how to do Hallowe’en there.

This year’s theme was based on the Mexican Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead, so it was very colourful, even the witch who flies over the castle was in coloured robes!

As the children are now a little older we stayed until the evening and walking past the ‘graveyard’ on our way out, the girls were well and truly spooked!

Now we are into November, the sun is shining again and the autumn colours are beautiful. Even the Loweswater pheasant is developing more colourful plumage.