Today is 20 12 2012! This date seems special. The weather here is grim today, wet and overcast; so wet that the fields are saturated with water and huge puddles are appearing on the surrounding fields.
With the wet weather of recent months, it seems so odd to reflect that throughout the first half of this year parts of England were experiencing a drought. Meteorologically speaking, 2012 seems to have been one of extremes.
Last week I have been in the south lakes. I have been taking part in a hedge-laying working holiday for the National Trust. I had a great time in the fresh air. I have improved my pleaching and laying of the plants in the hedge.
I stayed at the Acland Block of the Highwray bunkhouse, which was the first bunkhouse built for the National Trust. It is situated high on a hill with really excellent views over Windermere and north towards Ambleside.
At the beginning of the week, the site was very boggy and muddy, but not rainy. The sun came out from Wednesday onwards and by the end of the week it became very cold and crisp, though not too windy. On the whole the weather was good, and there were plenty of great views especially of Helvellyn and Fairfax from Basecamp and the site.