Mining, flooding and flying.

Last week the Keswick Mining Museum closed its doors for the final time.  Fortunately for the Trust, we were able to purchase some of the exhibits. A few of us (Jessie, a Trust colleague and a volunteer Maggie) then spent time sorting, cataloguing and packing them for transport to our Force Crag site.  These will add to our growing collection of data and artefacts relating to local mining.

Jessie and Maggie (modelling miner's helmet) cataloguing.

Wooden detonator box

Battery box.

You will not be surprised to read that the high lake level caused by the recent rain, more rain and even more rain has resulted in some flooding.  Parts of the access-for-all footpath that we have been working on at the lake shore are now under water.  Our contractors have had to stop working on the project for now. Thankfully there is little wave action along the lake shore at this point so there shouldn’t be any serious damage done. For most of the time this path is high and dry and gives spectacular views across the lake to Catbells. 

     

We have also been working on preparations for the annual Ranger Day when rangers from several areas get together to share experiences and learn from each other.  This time it will be on our patch in Borrowdale.  The day will be hosted from a private hostel, Barrow House.  The grounds of the house contain a magnificent specimen of a small-leaved lime.  You can see in the picture that it has one massive branch that must be exerting enormous forces on the main trunk.  Small-leaved limes are at their northern limit in Cumbria.  You can read more here.  I have included a picture of a packhorse bridge that is also situated in the grounds.

  

There have also been a few call-outs for the rescue team. One of the rescues was in Coombe Gill where a woman had taken a tumble from the climbing route Corvus on Raven Crag. The thing of note about the rescue was the superb flying of the crew from the RAF Sea King search and rescue helicopter. They flew up the valley from Keswick and into the Coombe underneath the cloud . Then they held the hover very close to the crag whilst they winched up the casualty. Crisp and professional as ever!