HELLO PATERDALE (03/03/10)

 

    We arrived in what, on first appraisal, is paradise. There are specimen trees on this old estate from all over the world. The lady in the estate office has kindly provided me with a map listing what is what, so there should be no trouble identifying what is what and what is something else………….. I don’t think!

This is a Wellingtonia or Giant Redwood. Aptly named, it really is magnificent and completely dwarfs the truck. Just hope it doesn’t decide to fall over. Imagine being a lumberjack and having to deal with this, the trunk must be seven or eight feet in diameter.

We went for a stroll to see what is where, plenty of wild life but photographs were hard to come by. We came across a couple of male Roe Deer, off like a shot, gone before I could even raise the camera. At least I know they exist so a vast improvement on Otters. There are the usual Finches and Tits, also saw a little green bird about the size of a Gold Crest but even quicker, ten frames of twigs and then the bin lorry drove past which curtailed what was fast becoming a futile exercise anyway. The only other bird of note was a Buzzard circling way out of range but the lady in the local shop, (the source of all knowledge}, has pointed out where it can often be seen perched. So one never knows there may be a picture or two.

Just in front of the van Grisedale Beck is tumbling down towards Ullswater, we tumbled up it for a mile, there are these falls………………

Will take some filters, tripod, and wellies and give these a good hour or so.

    A beast new to me a walking, man eating Log. Good job I was carrying a long lens.

       We came across this Moss, sometimes I wish I was born in Darwin’s era, could have called it what I liked……Pine Moss…. I can’t identify it but will try and tempt the source of all knowledge to a walk in the woods. May even kill two birds with one stone!

          I’m not sure about these ferns either…….Three birds with one stone!

          Found this delightful Shetland Pony on the way home but it couldn’t be tempted to look up. I'll take an apple next time and get some close ups………….Nothing quite like a hairy stumpy legged pony for giving the ratings a lift.

Again I’m not sure……….Looks like a Yew………  Four birds with one stone. This is as near to damn it the view from the van. A grand spot.

Almost forgot….. Ullswater………….

    This weather is unbelievable. Long may it last.