In Greek mythology one of Gaia’s daughters is Tethys, the sea or ocean. And Gaia dances with her daughter, this source of life, yet also this destroyer of life, for in this dance so many different facets can be displayed, so many different forms, patterns and textures; from absolute stillness, to the gentlest ripples, melodious waves and onto raging furious deadly torrents. And whilst I have never heard it stated, I suspect that, like snowflakes, no two waves are ever the same. Subtle differences in wind and tide and current will create subtle differences in the dance. Waves are mesmerising; I could watch them for hours.

These images are to complete the current set on Buttermere and Crummock Water; I couldn’t decide between the two, wanted to move on to other subjects, so I posted both. The first is, unapologetically, another view of Fleetwith Pike and Buttermere. I have photographed variations on this view so many times and do not tire of it, Gaia truly dances here and shows many moods; I have seen this when the strip of land I was standing on had flooded and re-joined the two lakes (separated normally by alluvial deltas from streams on each side), on sunny days, in snow and ice, in storms; all beautiful in each in their own way. And so, like many artists, I will continue to photograph it and enjoy the sometimes subtle nuances between each trip; and sometimes unsubtle.

The second is taken whilst climbing Brandreth, starting from Honister Pass, over Grey Knotts and then finally on to the top. A good stiff walk but achievable without hanging over terrifying precipices. The view shows both lakes so a suitable way to end this series. It also makes the point that landscape photography cannot always be about tripods, slow deliberations, large format cameras and patience; you can get frozen, wet and roasted that way (in Cumbria all on the same day). Sometimes you have to get sweaty and out of breath, and with the weather changing by the minute you have to grab the shots whilst they are there; thank goodness for digital cameras and large memory cards too … And yes I do possess a tripod and medium format camera … no patience though.

Crummock Water again; a scene of peace and beauty; Gaia preening and posing and looking so serene.

Shortly after this point on the walk around the lake you have to leave the shoreline and walk up on the road as there is no historical right of way and the farmer has not granted it. This reflects a long established battle (and yes it has been violent in the past with mass ‘trespasses’) between the rights of the walker and the rights of the landowner. And the overwhelming majority of walkers try and behave responsibly as they do not wish to damage the countryside they love. And most landowners are accomodating, even finding ways to supplement their income (B&B, the occasional cream tea, farm shop sales), but some not. They are resentful of the very walkers without whose presence these fells and villages would be forlorn and rundown with little economic value. So a need for a balance on this overcrowded planet between the two, with respect for each other and respect for Gaia.

Wainwright said  of Crummock Water and Mellbreak ‘no pairing of hill and lake in Lakeland have a closer partnership than these ‘. Now my personal preference is Derwentwater and Catbells, particularly at dusk but it is a close run thing, and anyway, you don’t have to choose.

So I took the previous image and played a bit; enhanced the colour and added some lens flare. I wanted to increase the feeling of other worldliness and a place separate from our everyday lives. I draw the line at adding images of flower faeries splashing in the water; not my style, too corny and a step too far. Yet you may like this alternate version.

And just for fun; way out beyond faerie …

Or for th those with a more traditional view

A somewhat longer walk than that around Buttermere, the walk around Crummock Water is rewarding and beautiful. As a detour, on the western side, is the opportunity to go to Scale Force (Force from the Nordic word Foss, meaning waterfall … the Vikings settled Cumbria quite extensively) the highest waterfall in Cumbria. In order to get there you have to walk up a rather unprepossessing valley; very hummocky, with much gorse and boulders; but eventually you turn into a ravine and there it is. A beautiful faerie place, peaceful and not much visited; a place to sit quietly and enjoy. Looking at this image I know I have to go and take more; varying the shutter speed to get different effects with the fall. A lesson to be learned; even in the wonderment (and sharing cake with my son, who is my usual walking companion in the Lakes) you have to think and experiment.

Happy new year

The image below is the first of a themed set from the English Lake District. A tiny area really, yet with rugged mountains, green valleys,  wonderful lakes and gushing waterfalls. The last three might give you a clue … it rains a lot … I have been rained on, snowed on and baked in sunshine all on the same day. The weather is pot luck yet the rewards wonderful. The first set from the area will be around Buttermere and Crummock Water. They are not visited by the coach crowds, day visitors to the main centres; Bowness, Windermere and Ambleside;  nor by the culture baggers eager to see Beatrix Potter or Wordsworth paraphernalia. There is one hamlet, two pubs and much good walking for all tastes and levels. This first image is of Buttermere, looking SE to Fleetwith Pike. The image is virtually un-retouched; it did not need it; a beautiful walk around the lake on a beautiful day, with a decent pint of beer as reward at the end of the walk. Lovely. Gaia dancing so prettily.

OK. So, to state the obvious, not Cumbria. That will be next. This image comes from the Mornington Peninsula, near Melbourne. The base photo was taken much the same time as ‘Gathering Storm’ and ‘The Other Side of the Pier’ (below) but they were taken bay side and this was taken ocean side. The wind was so fierce that you could lean into it at an angle of 45 and not fall over. Holding a camera steady in the gusts was a nightmare, even using fence posts did not help; not even sure if a tripod would. The only option was to point the camera in vaguely the right direction, press the shutter; then, after every few shots, wipe salt spray (eek) and wind blown sand (eek eek) from the lens otherwise everything looked like it was shot through a soft focus filter. Quantity worked; some shots looked like she was having fun. Gaia dancing frenetically indeed.  I pushed and tweaked the photo, nudged the colours a bit; though not as much as you might think … there really were turquoise and indigo swathes.  Gaia is lady enough to like a bit of makeup sometimes. Hope you like.

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