Out over Christmas in South Lakes

Although my knee is on the mend it was not a wise idea to hike anything but low level paths at this time.
We had booked Christmas in the Lake District in a small village called Torver. Its a nice place and well positioned for all types of sports. The Old Man of Coniston and adjoining ridges are within easy access for those who want a bit of adventure.

The Wilsons Arms, Torver on a particularly dark night.

Unfortunately the Church Inn pub has now closed and is up for sale but thankfully the Wilson's Arms is thriving and has no competition so it can get pretty full at times.
Our cottage was a cosy spot to enjoy Christmas and we had friends over from Seathwaite on Boxing day to share it with us and a large steak too.
The dinning room has a large window and the view from it covered the whole Coniston range and included Wetherlam.
It was beautiful but somewhat frustrating to sit there and watch the scene change minute by minute as the weather changed from sunny, rain, cloudy, mist and then snow. We had all seasons in one day.

We listened to the weather forecast and it seemed that we were to escape the worst of the snow conditions that so many others were having although above 2000ft we eventually did get a covering.

We have not done traditional Christmas lunch for many years, we prefer to leave the eating and present opening until Christmas day night. This year we had one of Sheila’s turkey curries. By leaving lunch until late it gave us the chance to get out and enjoy a full day.

With binoculars we could pick out folk walking up the Walna Scar track and up onto Brown Pike and along to Dow Crag where we would lose them as they dropped down to Goats Hause.
The Old Man also had lots of visitors and especially so as the tops became snow bound.

Our walk was in the rain and with a chilly breeze but it was good to be out after such a lay off. Numerous rainbows spanning the valley bottom made it special as did the moody weather, going from bright sun to periods of almost darkness as rain swept by.
Coniston water was mill pond still when we approached but both ends were as though they were in different seasons. The south shrouded with black cloud, wintery with the occasional burst of brilliant sunshine. The north end appearing as though autumn had only just arrived.

I have put together a slide show of the walk plus a few other images from our time in Torver.
Click here. Hope you enjoy the scenery.