Having just recently got back from two weeks in the Lake District, it’s time to reflect on the trip. In a word “Wow”!
Our cottage was superb and really close to Ullswater. It wasn’t cheap compared to other locations in the UK and we probably paid a bit more for off-road parking but it was worth every penny.
As is tradition now, I’d pinned all the locations from a photo book into Google maps for digital reference/access then printed it out and stuck it to a piece of cardboard. We then created a rough itinerary for each day.
It’s over ten years since we last visited the lakes and strangely as we travelled up I was wondering if this would be as good as Snowdonia and the Dales. I need not have wondered, we had a great time with lots of walks, favourable weather and great views.
Aira Force was a lovely place to visit but unfortunately the main force or waterfall was not accessible for a photo due to a huge tree falling on the viewing bridge. As is often the case though, I got a few good shots with my favourites being an interesting tree and a levitating leaf (with thanks to the spider and it web).
Our walk around Ullswater was really enjoyable and the weather surprising sunny and warm. I didn’t get anything of note photo-wise but on our way back we stopped at the famous boathouse for a quick shot. The evening weather and light wasn’t favourable although I later learnt this shot is best done at sunrise.
Cat bells was up next day which proved to be a reasonable challenge. It was both amusing and annoying to read that Wainwright described it as perfect fell for grandmothers and toddlers! Anyway, I got a snap of the view from where we stopped for a cuppa from the flask and a long range shot of a boat on Derwent Water. I liked the shape and texture of the waves created by the boat.
Stock Ghyll was up next in Ambleside. A fabulous woodland with waterfalls, great trees and a picturesque bridge. To my shame, I did a staged shot with a leaf deliberately placed in the foreground. While I was gleeful about how this shot looked on the camera screen, I realised later the composition of the waterfall in the background was wrong. Another example of rushing a shot. It was at this location, we spotted a discarded nappy, which has led to me writing another blog post called ‘respect the countryside’.
During the trip, I had two Dawn shoots with pro photographer Chris Sale – blog posts have been posted about both those trips.
A trip to Keswick next day for a little look around and I got a sense of scale shot below.
I was very surprised when my wife Kathryn said she wanted to do a Dawn expedition up the nearby Gowbarrow Fell. Teasing her that she would not get up, she surprised me by being the first up and ready at 05:00, and somewhat over excited. We walked up in the dark but it was a amazing seeing the sky light up and a sense of achievement reaching the summit. Although the view was impressive, it rained all the time we were at the top and I left my camera gear in the bag. I tried to do some shots but the rain was that misty type which feels light but will quickly soak anything it can.
Next day, weather was poor but we decided to go out and explore in the Buttermere area. We ended up at Moss Force by accident where the car took us and spotted some waterfalls. This was a gem of a location and a fabulous waterfall was minutes away from the car. Off I went to do some shots and on the way back, I grabbed a shot of the Newlands Valley with misty rain starting to pour down. For the edit of this shot, I went ‘moody’ which seems to have been very well received on Instagram.
We had abandoned ideas of climbing Haystacks or Skiddaw for more leisurely walks. A walk round Buttermere Lake was so relaxing with lots of amazing views and photo opportunities. I was pleased that I got some waterfalls shots handheld with a polariser. I also got another sense of scale shot of a couple walking to the shoreline.
Blea Tarn was next up with the short climb up to get a classic shot then a walk round the lake to the woodland with some lake shots en-route. As our late start this day meant we arrived later, we ran out of time in daylight so will return here in future to explore further.
Our return to Castle Crag some 11 years later made us realise that we’d forgotten how amazing this walk is from Seatoller to the Crag. Lots of waterfall shots and landscape scenes made for some great shots. We went up the slate-laden Crag to catch the wonderful views of Borrowdale from the top.
A less enjoyable experience was walking back through the woods in darkness thanks to another late start. However, my head torch is bought in readiness for the Dawn shoot came into its own and lit our path back. That and the OS maps app on my phone were a great combo to work out the most efficient route back.
Castle Rigg stone circle was a drive by fast visit and shoot which was one to tick off the list.
All in all, a fantastic holiday with some great walks, scenery, photos and relaxation. Not even the fuel panic buying saga held us back. We waited until the orange fuel light came on and grabbed some fuel in a civilised orderly manner. When the panic calmed down, as we left the Lakes we topped up at the supermarket in Penrith with no queues, no supply problems, no panic! I just can’t believe these panic situations we now have to endure!
Other things of note… the ales in the Lakes are great, particularly Red Raven. Being a member of the National Trust saves you a fortune on car park fees. And we had an amazing curry in Windermere called Mela Spice Fusion. Details I have no doubt you are thrilled to read!