Hayeswater again

Last week when we visited Haweswater to see the low water levels, it got us talking about another reservoir - Hayeswater. This is no longer used as a reservoir and since last May it has been gradually drained and the dam removed to allow it to rewild back to it's original tarn levels. Last time we were there was back in April. You can see what it looked like (in the rain) by clicking here

 

Today was a very different day. Wall to wall sunshine to start with, with the promise of a few showers later. We set off from the car park at Hartsop and followed Pasture beck

 

Looking back, you can just see the roof of a shed in the middle of the picture. That's roughly where the car is. I love this valley and especially it's name - but you've got to read it out loud. Pasture Bottom!

Heading into the sun. Breeze hasn't seen puddles for a while and she's making up for lost time

Looking back at the peacefull Pasture Bottom from Threshthwaite cove

and again from Threshthwaite Mouth

Looking across Grey Crag to the big lump of High Street behind. That's where we are heading, then over The Knott and down to Hayeswater

Hayeswater comes into view - with the level having dropped considerably

From The Straights of Riggindale (where we had lunch last week) we can see over to Haweswater (you need to pay attention here to follow which one I'm talking about - Haweswater or Hayeswater!). The level still looks pretty low despite about 3" of rain over the weekend

All through the walk we could hear Red Deer Stags roaring. It's rutting season. Suddenly Husband spots a few on the flanks of The Knott

The immediately infront of us - Two Stags are squaring up. If you look closely you can spot a few hinds sitting watching on

Then we head down to Hayeswater

What an achievement. The Dam has gone and there is not a sign that it was ever there

We follow Hayeswater Gill back to the car at Hartsop

Passing by the original 'Living Roof'

Just over 8 miles and it stayed dry all the way. A really interesting walk seeing the changes since we were last here - we must try and repeat it again next year and see how Hayeswater is looking by then.