By a Mossy Gnome

Looking down on Aira Force, listening to the birdsong

That dense line of trees at the foot of the hill conceals the series of waterfalls of Aira Force, which pour down towards Ullswater.   From the hillside above I could hear the sweet and plaintive singing of robins rising up, first from one part of the woods, then from another.  One would sing, another respond, then the first reply to that.   They could sense the approach of winter, in spite of warm sunshine, and were staking out their territory in preparation for the coming season of food shortage and cold.  Even in my garden, birds which have kept away all summer have reappeared and are anxiously checking out the bird feeders.  They seem to be planning ahead.  A pair of blue tits even examined the nest box, as though thinking forward to next spring.

Summer in the valley, winter on the mountain tops

It’s really autumn but down in the valley it was still summer; on top of the mountains it felt more like winter.  Warm, bright sunshine shone over Aira Force and Gowborrow Fell on Saturday, although the mountains around looked dull and hazy under large banks of cloud.   Perhaps the top end of Ullswater was enjoying the best weather in the Lake District.   Here, viewed from near the summit of Gowborrow,  is sunlight breaking through the clouds over Ullswater.   A cold wind was blowing - a reminder of the approaching season.  

Today, flocks of geese were flying south, making that distant, eerie sound.  Meanwhile, at Leighton Moss, a young bittern posed gracefully among the reeds in front of the Griesdale Hide, its feathers glowing in the late afternoon sun.  A perfect reflection of it in the still water was broken only by three ducks, who neatly arranged themselves like some kind of chorus accompanying the star of the show.   Just my luck, I didn’t  have a camera with me!

Stac Pollaidh

The north west of  Scotland - from Ullapool up to Cape Wrath - must be one of the most beautiful areas of Britain outside of the Lake District.   This is a classic view of Stac Pollaidh (pronounced Stack Polly), a characterful little mountain.  The geology of the area is fascinating and part of it has been designated a Geopark.   The rocks are amongst the oldest in Europe, and sprouting from the ancient ground are weird-shaped mountains, looking like prehistoric beasts grazing on a great, rocky, loch-strewn plane.  

Working Bearded Collies and resting Bearded Collies in Langdale

The sun shone on the mountains of Langdale on Saturday, a last, late taste of summer.   Beyond those trees the Working Bearded Collie event was taking place in a field next to the Stickle Barn Tavern.   Viewers could watch comfortably from the tables outside the pub, although much of the action when I was there seemed to consist of owners coming over and settling down for a drink while the Working Bearded Collies lay at their feet and snoozed.   There were at least a few dogs left in the field, though, being put through their paces to test obedience, or jumping over hurdles and through a long red tube.   Most entertaining were children trying to train their dogs to do this, jumping over the hurdles while the dogs ran enthusiastically along the side, unaware that they were supposed to be doing the jumping.

Grasmere garden centre and a hopeful jackdaw

It was warm in the Lake District today, but hazy enough to hide many of the hills.   It was a day for sitting outside cafés rather than climbing mountains.  The cafe at Grasmere garden centre has grown and extended into the former tourist information office and the space outside.   Sit outside and you overlook the plants and multi-coloured plant pots and, in turn, you are overlooked by opportunist jackdaws.   As soon as you leave they will descend and start pecking at the plates and clearing up after you.   There’s one, just waiting for the right moment.  He's pretending to have no interest in the crumbs on the table, and is there simply to admire the plants, but don't believe it!

Hamish

Hamish, originally uploaded by byamossygnome.com.

Guess where I’ve been. Here’s a clue. His name is Hamish, or to be exact: Hamish Mackay Donovan. I didn’t know cattle had surnames, supposing they had a simple single name, like Daisy, but this Highland bull even has a middle name. Perhaps sheep have long, double-barrelled names - who knows? As I drew up at Kilmahog Woollen Mill, he was enchanting a group of Japanese visitors, nearly puncturing one man’s umbrella with the point of one of his horns. If you ever encounter Hamish, he is a friendly old animal who likes to be scratched behind the ears.

The Langdale Pikes - their other profile

Langdale Pikes, originally uploaded by byamossygnome.com.

I’m going to be away from the computer for a while, so will leave you with this view of the Langdale Pikes from Rossett Pike. It shows the other side of their more familiar profile. You will see a more recognisable standard view of the Langdales from Windermere, just visible in the distance from this point.

Pike O' Stickle, famous for its precariously positioned Stone Age axe quarry, is the most prominent summit.

A quiet mountain in Langdale

Herdwick sheep, originally uploaded by byamossygnome.com.

This Herdwick sheep has obviously been to the hairdresser for a trim and re-style, and a blue rinse.  Very smart.  It was doing what sheep spend most of their time doing - eating - on Rossett Pike.  Overshadowed by its larger neighbours, like Bowfell which looms beyond it here, or the Langdale Pikes, Rossett Pike has fewer visitors.  Leave the crowds and turn left near the top of Stake Pass, or right at the top of Rossett Ghyll, to this fell which forms a steep barrier at the end of Langdale.  

Fix the Fells

Footpath repairs, originally uploaded by byamossygnome.com.

It looked as though a large party of giants had been climbing up Stake Pass, between Langdale and Langstrath at the top of Borrowdale. They had evidently been out shopping for large stones but, tired of carrying such a heavy weight, had put them down and left them, to be collected later. You can just hear them: “Ooh, me feet are killing me. I’m off for a cup of tea at the giants’ café. We can pick up the bags later.“ Either that or helicopters had dropped the bags full of rocks there for footpath repairs. Discover more about Fix the Fells - carried out, not by giants, but hard-working normal mortals.

Langdale, the Long Valley

Langdale, originally uploaded by byamossygnome.com.

Langdale means long valley, and it certainly is, as I was reminded on a walk from the Stickle Ghyll car park to Rossett Pike. The head of the valley is blocked by a great, steep wall of mountains. There was some mist on the summits at first, drifting about on Pike o’ Bliscoe, CrinkleCrags and even little Lingmoor. Eventually it lifted, although the sky remained heavily grey and now we are being told that this has been the greyest August for many years.