Explorer and Independent Biologist

Sunday 13 February 2011

Thirlmere

Thirlmere is a reservoir that was created in 1889 by flooding a valley to merge two smaller lakes into one in order to supply drinking water to Manchester. Two villages were "drowned" in the process. I decided to explore the lake by kayak on a mild, calm, February day.

Thirlmere is 3.5 miles long. 
I launched some somewhere below the bush in the foreground 
and paddled to the far end of the lake, passing the small islands.
For internet picture source click here

I launch at dawn while patchy fog-banks 
still enshroud parts of the lake


The fog-banks give a mysterious look to the lake...


...and some ethereal scenes.


A swollen beck pours from the fell into Thirlmere


Reaching the head of Thirlmere
I pull ashore for a snack 
before the 3-mile paddle back


After lunch the fog has lifted enough 
to reveal the summit of Helvellyn,
England's second highest mountain


By mid-afternoon the fog has gone and 
sunshine through the cumulus  clouds
illuminates the surrounding mountains

You can read more about Thirlmere here

8 comments:

  1. Mate we have a Thirlmere lake here too! I love these photos. I find the history facinating too, so I am going to go and read more about it

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  2. Magnificent photographs. Thanks you for taking the time to share these. I wish I could be there.

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  3. I love all the foggy photos as well. Very atmospheric. Would be magic to be out kayaking quietly along in it.

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  4. I was wondering how high that mountain is? It doesn't look much higher than the 'hills' near here...

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  5. Some truly fantastic shots here, hon. Sorry to hear about the drowned villages, though.

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  6. They are outstanding arty-farty pics Maalie

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