The Lake District in November?

Doc and I hesitated about visiting the Lake District for a weekend in November.  Rain, mist and cold temperatures were three good reasons to book a mini break in Tenerife but we know of a lovely hotel which overlooks Lake Windermere, so we thought ‘what the heck!’ and went anyway.  We packed the travel scrabble, our reading books as well as the obligatory anoraks, boots and waterproof trousers.  Who was it that coined the phrase: ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing......’?

So last Friday we travelled up the M6 – in driving rain though Doc remained as positive as ever.  He was sure it would clear up later.  However, in Kendal, the rain was even heavier!  We ate a lovely lunch in a cute cafe, did some shopping and by the time we had dinner at our hotel that evening, the oracle (a.k.a. iPad) advised us that all would be well for the rest of the weekend.  We thought sunshine and showers was perfectly acceptable.

And indeed it was.  On Saturday, the autumn landscape glowed in the sunshine and the light breeze was occasionally accompanied by a drizzle.  We took the Keswick launch across Lake Derwent to Hawes End and from there we walked for two hours, swallowed up by beauty of it all.  November is dreary month - but not always.  

Sunday morning began with a brooding, low mist and it clung to the fells during breakfast.  But the forecast was still good and we set off undaunted, for a more challenging walk around Lake Rydal.  We were not even half way round before the sun burned through the cloud.  The views were magical and proved to us that the Lake District is the wonderful Lake District, whatever the time of year. 

The colours were a rich palette of copper, red and yellow hues, softened by the evergreens, rocks and lush grassy fields. I don’t think we have ever seen such drama in hazy mist and dark brown, withering bracken.  It was breathtaking and I immediately regretted tidying up our garden quite so much!  There is so much interest and texture to be found in the dried, skeletal forms of our common garden plants.  However, Doc reminded me that after one good heavy downpour, the interest would turn to a soggy mush which would do nothing for the perennials and shrubs bedding down for the winter.  The debris would be the perfect cover for viruses and pests.   As for the soggy leaves which cling beyond the power of the leaf blower, I agree with him that it is far better to rake them up and turn them into nutritious, life-giving mulch.  

It is a gnawing irony that no matter how we gardeners try to manipulate nature in our gardens, they remain forever contrived spaces and as such they never match up to Mother Nature herself.  Left to her own devices, she can be cruel and unforgiving but she creates beauty which is unmatched by anything man could achieve.  Thank goodness we have National Parks which are protected from too much of our interference!