Big and Getting Bigger

Ullswater is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Lake District - big and surrounded by mountains. There's a ferry that goes from Glenridding at the Southern end, via Howtown in the middle, to Pooley Bridge at the North end. If you get the ferry from Glenridding to Howtown and then walk back it's a stunning walk - about six or seven miles. Stephen and I did it with Emily a few years ago and loved it.


Here's part of the lake near Howtown:

Usually there's a little beach at the edge in some places, and it's good to skim pebbles and look at the view, for indeed it's difficult to find a view round Ullswater that's not worth looking at.

No beaches at the moment though. As anyone who lives in England knows, there's been lots and lots of rain recently and the beaches have all gone. In fact, even the trees round the lake are now paddling:

I have never seen the lake so full. More to the point, neither has my mother who has spent as much time as possible in the Lakes throughout her eighty-three years.

Ullswater's something like nine miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide. How much rain was needed to make the lake several feet deeper and wider than usual? After careful thought and a few calculations I can give you the answer and it is LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS.