21 March 2009 - Buttermere

Finally, the long wait since September to get back to the Lakes is over. Poor weather, family commitments, lousy weather, laziness and bad weather have all conspired to keep me away. A promising weather forecast and other commitments sorted finally allowed me to make a break for it and camp at Syke Farm in Buttermere for a couple of days.

The reality wasn't all as promised though, despite the Met Office advising 'good to very good' visibility, 'bad to awful' would have been more accurate. Their forecast of sub-zero temperatures overnight was spot on though which made for a less than pleasant sleep under the stars.

My lack of fitness meant that I would keep at low level and a walk over Rannerdale Knotts, Low Bank and around the southern edge of Crummock Water plus the obligatory Buttermere produced a number of photo opportunities.

Whilst walking at Crummock Water and watching the gracefulness of three geese skimming the calm waters during one of their many daily, and I assumed vital, sorties, I was overtaken by a group of lads all laden down with overflowing rucksacks. The last of which I presume had been devoted to the carriage of the sound system - music blasted out. There are times, my 10.2MB, SD card, APS-C CCD sensor based DSLR camera (and perhaps central heating for tents) aside, that I could really grow to hate technology.

The poor visibility did prevent the classic shots of this stunning valley but lent itself to more atmospheric ones. I've put several in the panel on the right and several have been added to the Buttermere section where more details can be found and from which they can be purchased.

Please feel free to browse.