The weather’s been a bit strange.
April 2020 was the 3rd driest April for Northern England since UK records began (which was 1854). So the landscape is looking pretty parched and in need of a good soaking.
Then, at the start of this week (Monday 18th May), spring rain finally arrived in a soft but consistent cascade of drizzly murk, with temperatures around 13°C. Nice.
This abruptly stopped on Wednesday with a 1-day heatwave and clear blue skies, with temperatures hitting 23°C.
Weird.
So after work on Wednesday, Lisabet and I nipped up the road for a hike around Tarn Hows, a favourite of ours. Tarn Hows was originally three tarns: Low, Middle, and High Tarn. It was dammed in the 19th century and the surrounding area saw more trees planted to make it more picturesque.
A couple enjoying the quiet and calm around Tarn Hows.
Peacefully rowing in a dinghy on the calm blue waters.
Yes, those are coins hammered into a tree stump. This is a Wish Tree, or Wishing Tree. The trunk or branches of a Wishing Tree are covered with hundreds of coins, which have been driven through the bark and into the wood. The local tradition is that a wish will be granted for each of the coins hammered in.
The picturesque view round Tarn Hows, with Wetherlam (763 m/2502 ft) on the right and the Coniston fells in the far distance.
We were surprised to still see a few bluebells hanging around.
The Langdale Pikes on the right, looking as gorgeous as ever.
The Langdale Pikes with Tarn Hows below, shot from a high rocky outcrop above the lake.
The hulking mass of Wetherlam.
An igneous intrusion that’s remained in place whilst the remaining softer rock has been worn away over millions of years.
The clarity of the atmosphere was beautiful. From above Tarn Hows you can make out Fairfield (873 m/2,864 ft) on the right and Seat Sandal (736 m/2,415 ft) to the left.
The highest of the rocky knotts southeast above Tarn Hows is home to this glacial erratic perched on its summit.
My lovely Lisabet editing Instagram photos whilst I clamber back to the trail from the knotts.
Little Lisabet and the Langdale Pikes.
