Haweswater

Having heard that our hose-pipe ban starts on Friday, we took a run down to Haweswater. This is the resevoir created in the 1920's to supply Manchester with water. A dam was built across the valley and before it could be flooded in 1935 the people of Mardale had to be rehoused and their farms, homes, pub and church demolished. All the bodies buried in the churchyard had to be exhumed and reburied at Shap. What a job that must have been!

At present the water content of the resevoir is 20% below normal, only 60% full. The remains of the walls are starting to show once more and at the head of the valley tourists were walking the old roads.

I remember when the saying was: "Save water: bath with a friend!" I supposed the modern version will be to shower with a friend.

Have fun!