Few would need reminding about how much water fell last week but these photographs sum it up.
After heavy rain swamped the area, Frances Clark and son Euan took advantage of a break in the weather to make their regular walk beyond Friar’s Crag, Derwenwater.
On Saturday afternoon (October 30) they came across the familiar bench with its view across the lake to Catbells, but this time it was entirely marooned by water.
The sun suddenly emerged and illuminated the sodden bench with Frances spotting her chance for an unusual photo.
The mum-of-two from Keswick, who runs her own accountancy business, waded through in her waterproofs to take a seat.
She told The Keswick Reminder: “It was very much of a spur-of-the-moment thing as the rain had stopped and the sun came out.
“But on reflection, it felt like a reminder that as the climate changes, weather becomes more extreme and water levels rise, and many of our favourite places could end up under water.”
“The lake did get very high and I think it was a concerning 48-hours for people who have flooded in the past, but fortunately the river levels were ok.”
“I don’t do a great deal of posting on Facebook but it’s by far the most liked and most commented picture I have ever had which has rather taken me by surprise.”
On Wednesday of last week, a flood warning – the second most serious type of weather alert from the Met Office – was in place for Keswick. Cllr Tony Lywood regarded it as a “very near miss”.
He said the level of Thirlmere rose around nine feet in three days – which roughly equated to 10 million cubic litres which would have be funnelled down the River Greta had the reservoir been full.
“When will Government and Ofwat realise that the water companies should have, as part of their remit, mitigating and alleviating flooding as well as providing fresh water?”
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