Saturday 21st November 2009

More Lake District floods

A lot of the roads that were impassable yesterday were open today and passable with care so I went to our Love the Lakes shop in Bowness via Coniston and Ambleside to see what impact the floods have had around those parts. The bad thing about today was that it rained pretty much for the whole day and when I was at Ambleside it absolutely bucketed it down, which is certainly not a good sign.

The River Crake at Penny Bridge, the river bank is to the left of the fence line.

Looking downstream from the bridge.

The River Crake.

A similar view under more normal conditions...

Full to the gunwales.

The River Crake across the fields at Lowick, normally it flows beyond the tree line but now it is sweeping across the fields in a great arc.

The bottom of Lake Road in Coniston, the public conveniences and shop are under water.

Looks like rescue boats are the only things available to hire today.

The jetty for the Gondola is completely submerged.

A seat with a wet view.

Drying out time at the Bluebird Cafe.

The journey to Skelwith Bridge was clear and at Skelwith Bridge itself the water levels appeared normal but the destructive power of the water was evident along the roads with fences and walls simply swept away by the sheer volume.

A discussion with the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team at Rothay Bridge. The road was blocked here, could we get through?

The road ahead (Rothay Bridge is around the corner) and a car that didn't make it.

Stuck fast. We all made it through and I think the level must have been a lot higher when this car ended up here.

Borrans Park and just look at the rain now in this and the following photos, it is absolutely chucking it down.

Borrans Field in Ambleside is completely deluged. I have released a dove (top) to find dry land.

Oh my goodness...flood debris at Waterhead. Follow the line along the pavement, that is a dead sheep still lying in the street.

The Wateredge Inn is now a bit closer to the water's edge than intended.

The main road at Waterhead and absolutely no chance of making it across here in a vehicle.

Looking across the road (see the bollards in the centre of the photo?) to Windermere.

A picture of last years flood at the same place and the depth is noticeably less...

There was no way across so I went round. Here is the view to the Wateredge Inn from the other side.

Wet wet Windermere.

At Bowness the level of the lake has dropped noticeably compared to yesterday's similar view...

The raised platform with the fountain (and Louise) on is submerged here.

The grass has reappeared on the promenade.

The swans are still feeding and still happy.

A return to Backbarrow and the flood waters have receded here too and the ruins of the bridge are above the water now.

The view from the other side.

Remember yesterday's photos showed the River Leven over the wall and the Stop sign.

A bird's eye view of the bridge at Backbarrow.

Ulverston also had areas of flood yesterday which has now thankfully drained away. The signs of readiness are still the in the streets around here though...

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Previous Walk 20th November 2009 The Lake District Floods < > Next Walk 26th November 2009 The Floods subside at Bowness