Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.

Derwentwater Flooding

These photos taken at towards the end of February and are of a very full Derwentwater. Lots of the lakeside path was under water to at least Ashness Landing Stage and, I should imagine, so was the vast majority of the rest of the path around the lake.

There were also terrible floods in 2005, 2015 and 2017.

In 2005 The Eden Valley and Carlisle took the brunt of the rainfall and flooding.

In 2009 over a foot (314.4mm) of rain fell in Seathwaite in 24 hours and was a new record at the time for England.

In 2015 The Storm Desmond floods were caused because rainfall fell on already saturated ground following three previous storms during November. These resulted in more than twice the monthly average rainfall for that month. Most of The Lake District was under water, as was Carlisle, Workington and Whitehaven. Many bridges were destroyed and at one point Workington was completely cut off from the rest of Cumbria due to flooding and a major road bridge collapsing. The water levels were even higher than in 2009.

In 2017 there was further flooding but this was mainly in the Borrowdale Valley and at Eamont Bridge near Penrith. I do recall Glenridding Beck bursting its banks and extensively flooding the surrounding shops both in 2015 and 2017. The unfortunate Glenridding Hotel was flooded on both occasions as well.

Carlisle and surrounding areas were also hit by flash floods in August 2019.

Ashness Jetty

Barrow Bay

Keswick Landings

Path to Friars Crag

Strandshag Bay

Derwent Isle

Grimwith Reservoir

A great stroll for blowing the cobwebs off as this walk is certainly open to the elements. Once you have left the comfort of your car, there is very little shelter from the winds and rain driving across the moors. I was lucky on the day I went as it just about stayed dry and bright the whole time I was walking but the wind was bitterly cold. Also, once you get past the first mile, you are more or less committed to doing the whole walk.

In bad conditions it's a case of just pulling your hood up, sticking your head down and just soldiering on. After all, its only a bit of wind and rain so won't harm you. Some of the most entertaining walks that I've done over the years have been done in such conditions.

There are a couple of inlets and bays which make the walk longer than it actually looks but it is basically on flat ground and is only four and a half miles in total. Often there are windsurfers on the reservoir and in windy conditions, this can be quite entertaining to watch but I didn't see any signs of life when I was there. I can't say as I blame them though.

If ever you need a place to come and clear your head, this is it!

Grimwith Reservoir

High Shores Laithe

Grimwith Reservoir

Path around Grimwith

Gate Up Gill

Gate Up Bottom

Grimwith Reservoir

Grimwith Moor

Grimwith Reservoir

Hardcastle Crags

A return visit to Hardcastle Crags after my previous one was abandoned due to the car-parks being full. Mind you that was my own fault as I did chose to go slap bang in the middle of the summer holidays.

No such problem this time though as it was early in the year and also midweek so consequently very quiet. So much so that I didn't met a single person on my footpath which ran adjacent to Hebden Water as far as Gibson Mill. Unfortunately the cafe was closed so I just continued on The Hardcastle Crag loop footpath which again followed the beck, passing a few pretty waterfalls and cascades on its way before eventually bringing me back to the mill. The mill pond was crystal clear so I took a couple of photos of the classic reflected view. I was also joined by a robin as I sat on one of the benches having a drink, it was obviously hoping for food but was out of luck. It can blame the mill cafe being closed for that one!

I was treated to lovely woodland scenery which followed the beck on my outward journey but the return from Gibson's Mill was a bit of a trudge as this used a forest road. Looking back, it would have been much better if I'd have followed my outward path by Hebden Beck. This is something I will know for my next visit. I heard a couple of herons and caught a quick glimpse of one through the trees but I had hoped that there would be kingfishers in the beck, it was not to be though.

Hardcastle Crags is another place I need to visit in the autumn as all the trees are native which, on a nice day, would give spectacular colours. I still thoroughly enjoyed my visit despite the lack of refreshments.