I have been working on a range of tasks this last week including one of the more unpleasant ones that crop up at intervals. A dead sheep at the lake shore had to be removed. It’s not something that most people would want to encounter on a walk and would also be a health hazard so somebody had to move it. It is definitely not one of the enjoyable parts of my job!
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| To mark 100 years of work in the Lake District |
We are now in the busiest part of the year for visitor numbers and there are more people who need to be reminded that some camping is inappropriate – we explain and ask them to move on. Wild camping in out-of-the-way places by pitching a tent at sundown, striking it at sunrise and leaving the site in good order is not a problem. Camping on the lake shore, encroaching on the enjoyment of many others and leaving behind a mess for others to clean up is not good.
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| The Millennium Stone in Calf Close Bay |
As well as monitoring the condition and uses of the area, with the help of some of our great volunteers, we managed to carry out some more maintenance and improvement. A gate at Broomhill Point was suffering from sheer wear and tear so we repaired that. We also ramped in a small bridge at Calf Close Bay to make it accessible for wheelchair users and others with limited mobility.
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| Work in progress |
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| Good job done. |
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| An audience! |
We ended our week when a group of Trust staff had their own camping expedition organized by Naomi. The weather forecast was not good so we chose a sheltered site on Force Crag. We were joined by Geoff‘s 6 year old daughter Lily and by several dog companions.
It was breezy and wet during the night but cleared well enough for a walk to High Force the following day. On this occasion we had time to spot some of the smaller delights of the area.
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| Miniature fungus |
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| Bilberries |
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| The red fruiting body of one of the Cladonia species of lichens |
It was a good experience and, of course, we did leave the site clean!
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