Guardian of the Bridge

This tough and wind-blasted silver birch stands all alone by a little bridge above Crummock Water. It seems to me to be guarding the onward passage towards Fleetwith Pike at the head of the valley. Many of the trees in the valley have grown into contorted shapes as they brace themselves against the prevailing south-westerlies. These sweep inland from the coast and then bounce back off the mountains in a blustery vortex. Much of this churning wind seems to end up on my verandah where it frequently knocks over my large planters.