Lake District Photography · Monday February 27, 2006
I’ve finally got my other web site working almost the way I want it: www.lakelandphotos.com. Like www.jameslomax.com it took a long time to develop, using open source software and extensive help from people I met on the internet.
The first time I went to the Lake District was approximately 1985. With clear skies, I could see the distant peaks across Morecambe Bay from my flat and one summer day, during the long vacation, I suddenly decided to visit. At that period of my life I used to roam everywhere on a bicycle and there was a train from Lancaster to Ravenglass, where the miniature railway winds inward to Eskdale. I’d read that Eskdale was particularly quiet, remote, and idyllic. I didn’t do much when I was there apart from cycle around the valley, and walk up the Stanley Ghyll waterfall. But it was enough – a simple but pleasant introduction to this lovely area of Britain. While in Lancaster I made just two more trips; the first was a car tour with my parents, and I recall my great excitement just driving around with little rest stops: I remember Tarn Hows, near Coniston, and Rydal Water. Then in the Autumn of 1986 I went to Keswick for a few days with a friend, exploring the Catbells ridge above Derwent Water and longing to go further and explore Borrowdale – I did, but not for many years. I also went up Helvellyn in thick cloud (my friend decided it was pointless and inadvisable in those conditions, probably wisely!). Catbells was my first proper introduction to mountainous walking. The autumn colours were glorious, and Keswick became my primary location for many years – although many years passed before I actually returned.
I began to enjoy the Lakes regularly in the early 90s, when I was living in the North again after a few years in the South. I only have a hazy memory of that time, when I used to stay in Keswick. Then in the late nineties, as part of a return journey I decided to drive along the motorway and descend down to Ullswater. It was a joyful moment seeing the lake unfold, and discovering this area was a turning point for me: consolidating and acknowleding my love for the Lake District. I investigated a few B & Bs in Patterdale for future use and returned several times including one time I remember, not for glorious walking but a lie-in-the-sun moment outside a hotel. I longed to stay there, but couldn’t. The valley was an evening playground still warm and light, and I would have a meal here, a drink there, and a hot chocolate somewhere else. One time, I had to return for an important enagement and when that was over I returned the following day.
A few years later I discovered Eskdale and then Wasdale, and then went there repeatedly. Eskdale actually, was my very first visit on a day trip from Lancaster University when I was an undergraduate.
Each area has its attractions, but my favourites are probably
1) Eskdale/Wasdale
2) Ullswater
3) Borrowdale