Wast Water Paddleboarding

A very memorable day on Wast Water, with some of the most idyllic flat calm conditions you could imagine. Breathtakingly still. Given the forecasts, we thought that it should be calm, but it was better than calm - it was glassy.

The water was really clear, which allowed us to see right to the bottom as the steep screes sloped away into darkness. It was a bit like snorkelling - but warmer!

After the exciting (steep!) drive over Birkker Fell to get there, we got lucky as someone was just leaving the lakeside layby. We soon had the boards pumped up, but then had to jump back into the back of the van as a rain shower passed over.

Once the rain had stopped, we set out as soon as possible, as we didn't expect the conditions to stay so magical. As it happened, it just seemed to get better and better! (We were just glad that we hadn't made an early start to get there!)

On the far side, we stopped a few times for a snack and to soak up the panorama.

We continued down the lake to the river outflow. We almost gave a lift across the river to a few walkers, but not all the party were looking as keen as the bloke with his socks and shoes off, especially when we told them that there was a bridge a little further downstream.

The reeds were really colourful and had small fish darting between them.

On the paddle back (via the little island), the water seemed even glassier. It was quite hypnotic. Here are a few pics...

Finally, some 5km after setting out, we arrived back at the van cafe (although before having a drink to warm up, we spent another fifteen minutes or so exploring with snorkels on along the shore).

We stopped briefly to say hi to our friend Wisha (John was out) in the nearby village and then pulled in for a quick bit of bird spotting at Ravenglass, before eventually arriving home, just in time to meet Matt.

Dinner was taken at the auspicious location of the 'Old King's Head', where Dad would have been in good company, admiring the collection of model boats! Well fed, we took desert in the form of drinks and ice creams outside the Manor House pub, on the square, where we took in the last of the light while swifts and swallows danced around the clock tower. What a day!....