Three faces of Wasdale - soft, hard and mysterious.

I like contrasts and so here's three different faces of Wasdale

First of all, soft -
Violet and White - crocuses and snowdrops at Hallflat Farm, Santon Bridge yesterday

Next, hard -
Rock is what Wasdale does best, so heres a view from the top of the Screes today, looking over the Valley towards Yewbarrow

And finally, mysterious -
A study in moss, Hallflat Farm woods yesterday

Wasdale sunset life cycle

It's been clouudy and claggy for days, without a view up the valley - but its back with a vengeance today so here's a few shots as the day progressed

This was early afternoon - it was just good to see Great Gable and the valley again after days of cloud

-and now it's late afternoon, with the first inkling of a fine sunset 

-Great Gable and the Screes are picked out as the sunset progesses

- and finally the last rays of the sun on clouds above Irton Pike, where the Wasdale Screes finally run out of steam

- and to end a grand day in Wasdale, early doors in the Bridge Inn (tho' this is cheating as this photo isn't from today!)

Wasdale cloudscape - a change from mountains and lakes

Went up the mighty Irton Pike yesterday afternoon (appx 30 mins easy amble!) to catch the sunset but instead I saw some fanatstic clouds - the valley was bathed in sunshine but the tops were the start point for some towering pillows of cloud.

If ever you're in Wasdale don't miss the Irton Pike experience in the late afternoon/evening - ideal as a prelude for a couple of beers at the Bridge Inn at the foot of Irton Pike, or to help digest their huge sunday lunch carvery.

                                               clouds over gable, kirkfell and yewbarrow

                                        looking towards buckbarrow craggs and middle fell

Two sunsets - one Wasdale viewpoint

Having missed the Wasdale view for a few cloudy weeks it's back with a bang -

Unusually I took a photo looking away from the valley towards the sea yesterday as it was a superb sunset

- and today I took a shot looking the 'usual' way up the valley, this time not Great Gable but towards the Wastwater Screes

- it's hell living at Hallflat Farm!

Wasdale mountain rescue team update

Wasdale mountain rescue team have joined facebook - and produced a brief review of their year - its on their website
http://www.wasdale-mountain-rescue.org.uk/general~news.htm

This is some of the team bringing a stretcher down Lingmel Nose, above Wastwater

The website is worth a visit with all sorts of interesting and useful stuff  - and if you're a lover of Wasdale you may want to become a supporter (see website for details) of the team  which consists totally of volunteers and relies on public contributions to keep their vital service going.

So what's happening in Wasdale on new years eve 2010?

I had a quick ring round various Wasdale hostelries to see what's happening tonight and it's a varied and interesting selection.

Starting with my local in Santon Bridge, the Bridge Inn - a fairly informal night, with pre-booked meals followed by music in the bar.

In Nether Wasdale there's a choice of 2 pubs -
 - The Screes has a a variety of food available, from a £5 buffet to a full new years eve pre-booked meal. For entertainment they have some live music and a 60's,70's and 80's disco and fireworks at midnight
- The Strands has a new years eve menu and some singing - all helped by the output from their excellent micro brewery.

-and finally the Wasdale Head has a set meal followed by sausage, buns  and mulled wine at midnight.

- so whether you are going out or staying in, best wishes for a prosperous and peaceful new year

Wasdale tryptic - a photographic day in the life of Wasdale, Christmas eve 2010

The first shot is sunrise over Wasdale from Irton Pike this morning - just kissing the top of Great Gable (ok, not very intrepid as the sun doesn't rise rise till late this time of year)

The second shot is sunset, from Hallflat Farm

-and the third shot is Wasdale in the gloaming - about 4.00pm - only about 20 mins after sunset

- and now I'll batten down for Christmas!