4 May 2009 - Ravenstone Hotel

Our second visit to the cottage at the Ravenstone Hotel on the A591. The previous visit was blessed with excellent weather in September 2008, but this time the weather was awful. Of our five day visit, only one was without rain - such are the risks of pre-booking accommodation in England! Nevertheless, a number of visits to beauty spots were managed, partly to check out future photo opportunities and partly because, well, rain just cannot be allowed to stop play...

Haweswater is located in the north east of the Lakes and is one of two major reservoirs in the region; the other being Thirlmere. Haweswater is very secluded and despite being the result of the flooding of the Mardale valley and the village of Mardale Green, has produced a beautifully peaceful and visually stunning area of the Lake District.

Martindale, is almost as secluded as Haweswater and is located south of Pooley Bridge on the eastern side of Ullswater. Parking at the base of Hallin Fell next to the new church of St. Peter allows a vast array of walks including the 'must' climb to the summit of Hallin Fell and its views over Ullswater and the Howe Grain and Boredale valleys.

Derwentwater is one of the most popular of the Lakeland lakes however its western bank is relatively quite, yet offers excellent walking through lakeside woodland from the village of Grange through Manesty and Brandelhow Parks.

Only a few photos were worthwhile in recording this visit and can be seen in the panel on the right. Subsequent visits to these areas will hopefully be more weather friendly and will result in more successful photographs.