23rd July 09 Stony Tarn
A long drive into Eskdale across changing landscapes of mixed woodland, open fell side, and near and distant crags brought us to the walk up to Stony Tarn. We walked past Eel Tarn, feeling relieved we had not chosen that one to swim in. It was full of weed and lilies (and presumably eels) and looked very shallow. After the clarity and depth of Seathwaite Tarn, I had realised just how much I prefer the clarity, purity and depth of high water. I also thought how Roger Deakin would have loved to feel the sensation of the underwater growth and the touch of aquatic creatures on his skin.
Richard and I had been discussing the difference between lower water, prone to farmland run-off producing an ecology able to sustain weed and other life forms, and the high tarns where few nutrients gathered. Purer water.
We climbed higher, away from Eel tarn and arrived over boggy ground and thick ferns at Stony Tarn. We had brought snorkels to enable greater viewing of the underwater space, filled with large clumps of weed and single strands reaching upwards with horizontal strands flowing in the current.
Water boatmen swarmed like midges on the water surface. Film was shot of the state of the water. Eventually, a linked film of all the surfaces from all the tarns will be edited together.
The descent brought on a thirst that only a pint brewed in the microbrewery of the Woolpack Inn could quench.
Paul
