Sunday was supposed to be the best day of the weekend, so we got the shopping out of the way on Saturday – and then woke to find everything hidden in a thick blanket of fog. Undeterred, we packed up boots and waterproofs and headed for Coniston, hoping that it would clear. Of course, it didn’t entirely. By the time we arrived the main valley floor was murkily visible and the mist had risen to sit part way up the fellsides.
We set off on one of our usual walks up the Coppermines Valley, where the stark mountain-and-post-industrial landscape looked even more dramatic than usual. Familiar landmarks had vanished; rocky outcrops and ruined walls stood out against the mist. In spite of the thick mizzle, which turned rapidly to depressing – and very wet – drizzle, it was atmospheric and rather wonderful, and I took lots of photos.
After a good stomp up to the reservoir and quarry on the lower slopes of Coniston Old Man we turned round and headed indoors to dry off, and to have a slap-up pub lunch in front of a crackling fire in the Black Bull pub.
It wasn’t quite the nice spring day walking the fells that we’d intended, but it was still fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable.
FIONA GLASS 