Jo’s Monday walk : Aira Force

Beautiful Aira Force

Beautiful Aira Force

You have no idea how delighted I was to be able to visit Aira Force!  The forecast wasn’t great and, as we approached the English Lake District, a swirl of damp cloaked the mountains.  But a waterfall’s no good without the water, is it?  And in Autumn, the canopy of leaves radiates!  Driving through a tunnel of flame and gold, the senses are filled with wonder.

I had planned to walk to the falls from the nearby village of Glenridding, our base for the evening, but the road south from Pooley Bridge bypassed them.  Carpe diem had never seemed so appropriate.  A pocket of opportunity, as the drizzle ceased momentarily.

The National Trust car park

The National Trust car park

The car park was not as deserted as I might have expected, though the picnic tables were definitely unoccupied.  There were just enough people to exchange smiles with, in a ‘good to be alive’ sort of way.  A celebration of our good fortune.

Heading towards the Pinetum
A mingling of moss and leaves
With beautiful bracken as a bonus
A seat for one
The drama of age
And a coin tree
Those coins get everywhere!

Those coins get everywhere!

Treading carefully on the damp leaves underfoot, I could hear already the gurgle of water.  The stream chuckled merrily on its way to the lake.  Not far to go!  But for me, it was upwards by a series of steps, pausing often to admire my beautiful surroundings.

Onwards and upwards!

Onwards and upwards!

The leaves and moss a constant companion
And bracken too

I was eager for my first sighting of the waterfall.  Suddenly, through the trees, I caught a glimpse of its magnificense.

It looked wonderful!

So alluring!

Just a little more bracken

But first a little more bracken

And a few steps

And a few more steps

Beneath the bridge

And we’ve reached the bridge

The sound of rushing water has reached a crescendo.  Steps lead down to the bridge and I cannot stop myself from descending.  I lean over and gaze in worshipful awe.  From beneath me, the falls tear away to join the calm of the lake.

The falls tear away to the lake from beneath me

Leaping joyfully down to Ullswater

I peer in fascination
Loving the tumultuous excitement
The leaf a captive spectator

Leaving the lower bridge behind, I head on up to the top of the falls, the water my constant companion.  That and the moss and leaves. It’s possible to continue up to Gowbarrow Fell and the trig point for views all along the lake, but on a murky day like this the visibility would be poor.  And I’m so loath to leave the water behind.

My constant companion

My constant companion

Moss and bracken
Leaves
And always the water

Chirruping water

And my other companion

And my other companion

The air feels increasingly damp and we decide to retrace our steps and cross over the upper bridge.  The descent on the other side of the falls is down yet more steps, but they are well spaced, and not too slippy in stout shoes.

Heading back down
The leaves glistening with rain
And carpeting the steps

We can now look back at the full 65 foot height of the falls, which I found very difficult to photograph.  My little camera has its limits, and I most certainly do.  I have too much ‘white light’ in the shot.  I tried different angles but it didn’t help.  I’m sorry!

But I was much taken with this aged log

But I was much taken with this aged log

A certain person was getting rather impatient.  I suspect you might be ready for a seat somewhere too.  I spotted a lovely one but it was a bit damp.

What do you think?

What do you think?

He's wondering when we're going to get to cake!

He’s wondering when we’re going to get to cake!

I think we’ve had enough exercise, don’t you?  I hope you enjoyed it, despite all those steps.  This link will give you clearer guidance on how to negotiate the various paths, and National Trust can help you to get here.

walking logo

Many thanks to so many of you who have again contributed to making my Monday walks a great place to be.  Shall we get the kettle on, ready for a good read?  If you’d like to join me you’ll be made very welcome.  Full details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.  Just click on the logo above.

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Pezenas

Wonderful variety again this week so thank you all very much.  It’s going to be a wild one, I think, so hang onto your hats!  Have a happy one and I’ll see you all soon.

137 comments

  5. Oh my….your walks just keep getting better and better….this one definitely my style! Love that coin tree, love the bridges and the stone walls. Just perfect.

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  7. These scenes really look like something out of the Middle Ages, Jo. The photos are great and I love the ‘seat for one’. I’ve got a stump in the yard that would be perfect for just that! 😀

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  9. I’ve never heard of Aira Force, what a brilliant name and place. Is it the same bridge in all the photos? It’s very pretty, but even with my good head for heights I wouldn’t want to lean too far taking pics there! So that’s where you had your scones with the bucket of cream, I hope his nibs had his cake x:-)x

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    1. There are two bridges, Gilly, but both in the same stone. I was seriously envious of the colour in your Stourhead shots. The Lakes were stunning but I haven’t managed to capture the radiance. The Inn on the Lake is in Glenridding, just up the road. 🙂

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  11. What a stunning walk Jo, wild and unlike your often gentler ones. I didn’t realise I was yearning for a Tuesday morning waterfall till I read this. I love the stump seat and the colours and the steps … And everything!

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    1. It’s a beautiful and wild place, Meg, but the National Trust have done their best to civilise it a bit 🙂 🙂 I really loved it and it was the highlight of my birthday (closely followed by the scones 🙂 ). Thanks, darlin’!

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  15. I’m still getting my head around chirruping water! Thanks for all the detail of this walk, I must say it is probably a good thing we didn’t do it as I think those steps and heights might be a bit much for the OH and his vertigo. He doesn’t balance well on slippery slopes either and when we almost went there it had been raining the previous day. Oh, well, I have seen it now thanks to you and I didn’t even get wet!
    My Spanish trees was a walk for you: https://smallbluegreenwords.wordpress.com/2015/11/07/ancient-trees-and-the-spanish-amarda/ but I have a walled garden for you later on in the week if you prefer 😀
    Stay warm and dry Jo, I have heard you are in for stormy weather ‘oop north’

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    1. Blown inside out this morning, Jude, but I survived. 🙂 You don’t think water ‘chirrups’ as it navigates the stones? I’m daft enough to talk back to it. 🙂 Thanks for the trees. You can have two next week if you want? Not sure yet if there’ll be a walk on 23rd because I’ll be in the Algarve. I hadn’t thought about it until your comment. I might schedule one if I have time but we’re going down to Leeds to stay with James on the Saturday (very early morning flight, Sunday 😦 ). Too much excitement, huh? 🙂

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      1. Babbles. I’d accept babbling… 😉
        23rd is my daughter’s birthday, I’m sure she would love to join you in the Algarve! Take some time out? You have done a lot of walking this year – I’m sure you could do with a week or two off 🙂

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      2. A babbling brook it was not! I’m sticking with chirrups 🙂 I’ll probably have to, Jude, because I can’t reply to comments over there without t’Internet cafe. Not what I go there for (unless it’s raining 🙂 )

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  16. Such wonderful scenes, Jo. I can almost smell the dampness of those leaves underfoot as your stout walking shoes squeeze the breath out of them. The waterfall is breathtaking indeed. I also wouldn’t have sat on the damp bench. Hope your companion was duly rewarded with delicious cake. 🙂

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  17. Gosh you really captured the damp moist feel of the season, along with all the glorious colours. Wonderful waterfall shots, I just hope you and the camera didn’t get too wet in the process 🙂

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    1. My little camera is intrepid, Seonaid. 🙂 It has to be, keeping me company! It’s been the most beautiful Autumn and I just wished I could bundle the Lakes up and bring them home with me. This was the best I could do. 🙂 Thanks a lot!

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