St.Helen's Well

It seemed like a good day to celebrate Mother Nature by going to the place that gives birth to the River Lune. This well has been on my mind for a while and after a series of 'non-wells' I thought it was time I blipped one that is still in evidence. I looked for it last year, or the year before, but wasn't sure if I was in the right spot. Armed with a bit more information I went back this time knowing where to look and was also able to make out the earthwork evidence of the chapel that used to be on the site. There are lots of other clues too in nearby place names, Chapel Butt Lane, Friar's Farm, Chapel Rigg. It's fascinating seeing the subtle watershed here that sends everything off from this spot down to Morecambe Bay and yet just over the way on the other side it all heads off down the Eden to the Solway. Such a rich area this ... as I headed up above Smardale there were subtle signs of settlements all around (extra).

Nature—the Gentlest Mother - Emily Dickinson

Nature—the Gentlest Mother is
Impatient of no Child
The feeblest—or the waywardest
Her Admonition mild

In Forest—and the Hill
By Traveller—be heard
Restraining Rampant Squirrel
Or too impetuous Bird

How fair Her Conversation
A Summer Afternoon
Her Household—Her Assembly
And when the Sung go down

Her Voice among the Aisles
Incite the timid prayer
Of the minutest Cricket
The most unworthy Flower

When all the Children sleep
She turns as long away
As will suffice to light Her lamps
Then bending from the Sky

With infinite Affection
And infiniter Care
Her Golden finger on Her lip
Wills Silence—Everywhere