Alan - photoblog

Ashness Bridge

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-20T00:00:00Z

Along with Tarn Hows, seen in glimpses earlier this week, Ashness Bridge is the other classic "chocolate box" view of the Lake District. I have many images featuring this bridge, and although this is not my best capture of it, it is my most recent, being taken in November last year. It's extremely difficult to get this view free of humans as it is an extremely popular location with walkers and those who want easy access to the glorious view and surrounding countryside. This was a rare break between cars up and down the lane and people who, despite seeing me stood in the stream with my tripod and camera, selfishly just stood on the bridge doing nothing in particular other thnn irritating the hell out of me! My antics of trying to get into the best position in the stream are often watched by those people sat on rocks off to the left enjoying their sandwiches. To date, I've managed to avoid slipping on the rocks or knocking the camera and tripod into the water - long may that continue!

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On Ullswater

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-19T00:00:00Z

I mentioned the steamers on Ulswater. This is was on a trip in May 2005 from Glenridding to Howtown in on "Lady of the Lake" - the oldest working passenger boat in the world. She was built in 1877 and launched on 26th June; she was designed by Mr Douglas Hebson of Penrith and built in Glasgow by Joseph Seath & Company. She was transported in three sections by rail to Penrith then horse drays to Waterside where she was constructed at Elder Beck. Lady is 29.8 metres long and weighs in at 42.7 tonnes. Just 4 years later, she sank at her moorings and was re-floated by a team of divers from Liverpool. She sank again in 1958 in a severe storm then in 1965 she was badly damaged by fire and was out of service for 14 years until Lord Wakefield had her restored and refitted ; she was re-launched on 19th May 1979 by William Whitelaw. The main purpose of the 'Steamers' was not only to carry passengers but also Royal Mail, provisions, slate from nearby mines and lead from the Greenside mine in Glenridding. During WW2 the 'Steamers' even ferried soldiers down to Glenridding for their training at the Ullswater Hotel. There were converted to oil burning in the 1930s. I've got many favourite walks in the Lakes and the steamers feature on one. I take it from Glemridding to Howtown and then its 8 miles of sheer bliss walking back along the lake shore, surrounded by stunning scenery yet required minimal effort; ideal when the clouds are low or you're too tired to get up high.

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Pooley Bridge

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-18T00:00:00Z

Pooley Bridge is at the northern end of my other favourite lake - Ullswater. This is the pier for the lake "steamers" that operate the service between Glenidding, Howtown and here. I was attracted by the clouds in this. ----------- I'm sorry about the lack of comments on your images yesterday. Alas, a long day at work and then a (fruitless) evening shopping for curtains stole all my time.

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Tarn Hows 2

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-17T00:00:00Z

Another view of Tarn Hows. Have a look at yesterday's posting to give some context to these.

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Tarn Hows

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-16T00:00:00Z

This is Tarn Hows, between Hawkshead and Coniston. You may have seen views of this before perhaps in a calendar or on chocolate box, for example; it is extremely photogenic, although my shot taken in December 2007 does not really show this. There is some ice on the water. I do have some spring views of the tarn but although i found them eariler int he week, I can't find them at all now! if I do come across them, I'll will post them for you to see.

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Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-15T00:00:00Z

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Oak Howe

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-14T00:00:00Z

I'm in Great Langdale for this; this superbly located house is called Oak Howe. If our Boy's Bike Weekend in June goes accordingly to plan, I should be cycling past here late Saturday afternoon with just a mile of flat cycling to go to get me back to our hotel. It should be a very, very welcome sight! The location is shown here on Flashearth.

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Cathedral Quarry

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-13T00:00:00Z

Yesterday's post mentioned that Slater Bridge was used by the workmen going across to Cathedral Quarry. This is one of the old quarrying areas; the shaft of rock is left in to support the mass above it. To give you an idea of the size., have a look at someone else's image.

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Slater Bridge

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-12T00:00:00Z

The two part Slater Bridge takes advantage of a central large rock and a very long slate slab to cross the River Brathay on its way from Little Langdale Tarn to Elterwater. This is one of Lakeland's ancient pedestrian bridges, connecting the hamlet of Little Langdale with the many slate quarries in the Tilberthwaite area, including Cathedral Quarry and the Hodge Close Quarry. More pictures of it are on the Visit Cumbria website. The Mad House's website has one of my favourite walks on it; you will need to modify the route slightly, though, to include the bridge (point 4)

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High Hallgarth - December 2007

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-11T00:00:00Z

I often repeat walks in different seasons and you get a totally different feel and view to them. This is the Nationally Trust property shown yesterday. Now perhaps you can understand why that bathing in the tin bath does not appeal!

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High Hallgarth - May 2005

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-10T00:00:00Z

I'm looking back to the direction I've come. Fell Foot Farm lies off off beyond the track and off to the left. It's also owned by the National Trust and is available to rent for holidays. I quote from their website: "This timeless Lakeland cottage lies in a magnificent remote situation overlooking Little Langdale Tarn with wonderful views up and down the valley. Built traditionally of stone and slate, dating from the 17th-century it retains its historic atmosphere and original features. It is superb for walking, climbing and even star gazing at the end of the day. Night storage heating included. Caution is required on stairs. Bracingly rustic, this cottage has no bathroom but a tin bath is provided, and the lavatory is an earth closet in an outbuilding. The cottage is 90 metres walk away up a steep and uneven slate track; parking is beside Low Hallgarth." So 10/10 for location but the basic facilities are too basic for me! Have a look at tomorrow's image to see a different view.

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Little Langdale

Alan Rolfe — 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z

Continuing the walk down alongside Bleamoss Beck for a while, the path contours away from the beck to join up with this road that leads up, behind me, to the notorious Wrynose and Hardnott Passes. My route takes me past the 17th century Fell Foot farmhouse here and then off across the fields to pass to the right side of the tarn, just seen here. I think that this is from May 2005.

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