Gnarled old toes

The rain, which fell all day, gradually eased late afternoon and I went down to Buttermere for some much needed exercise. The larches which line the shore now have their bright green needles. This tree stands on a little outcrop which has been undercut by high water in times of flood. The maze of roots look to me like gnarled old toes, driving deeply into the shingle with great determination and hanging on for grim death!