Old Cumbria Gazetteer - weather, Cumbria: Martineau 1855


included in:-	weather, Cumbria
	weather, Cumbria: Martineau 1855
evidence:-	old text:- Martineau 1855
source data:-	Guide book, A Complete Guide to the English Lakes, by Harriet Martineau, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, and by Whittaker and Co, London, 1855; published 1855-76. goto source Storm on the fells, page 128:- "... we remarked that while the wind still blew in our faces,- that is, from the north-east,- the mass of western clouds was evidently climbing the sky. The guide quietly observed that there would be rain by and by. Next, when we were in the middle of the wide fell, and we saw how puzzling the network of swampy paths must be at all times, we pointed out to one another how the light fleeces of cloud below the black mass swept round in a circle, following each other like streams in an eddy. Soon, the dark mass came driving up at such a rate that it was clear we should not finish our walk in good weather. The dense mist was presently upon us. On looking behind, to watch its rate of advance, we saw a few flashes of lightning burst from it. The thunder had for some time been growling afar, almost incessantly. The moment before the explosion of the storm was as like a dream as a waking state can be. We were walking on wild ground, now ascending, now descending; a deep tarn (Floutern Tarn) on our right hand, our feet treading on slippery rushes, or still more slippery grass: the air was dark, as during an eclipse; and heavy mists drove past from behind, just at the level of our heads, and sinking every moment; while before us, and far far below us - down as in a different world - lay Buttermere and the neighbouring vales" goto source Page 129:- "sleeping in the calmest sunshine. The contrast was singular - of that warm picture, with its yellow lights and soft blue shadows, with the turbulence and chill and gloom of the station from which we viewed it. We had but a moment to look at it; for not only did the clouds sink before our eyes, but the wind scudded round to the opposite point of the compass, throwing one after another of us flat as it passed. Within a few minutes, one of us had six falls, from the force of the wind, and the treachery of the ground,- now, in a trice, a medley of small streams. It was impossible to stop the guide, for a moment's breath. In the roar of the blast, and crash of the thunder, and pelt of the hail, one might as well have spoken to the elements: so it was necessary for us all to keep up our pace, that he might not stride away from us entirely. Through stumblings and slidings innumerable, we did this,- the lightning playing about our faces the while, like a will-o'-the-wisp on the face of a bog. The hail and rain had drenched us to the skin in three minutes. The first hailstones reached the skin. They were driven in at every opening of our clothes; they cut our necks behind, and filled our shoes. Our hats and bonnets were immediately soaked through, and every body's hair wringing wet. The thunder seemed to roll on our very skulls. in this weather we went plunging on for four miles, through spungy (sic) bogs, turbid streams, whose bridges of stones were hidden in the rushing waters; or by narrow pathways, each one of which was converted by the storm into an impetuous brook. When we had descended into a region where we could hear ourselves speak, we congratulated one another on our prudence" goto source Page 130:- "in having engaged a guide. Without him, how should we have known the path from the brook, or have guessed where we might ford the streams, when the bridges were out of sight? ..."
source data:-	Guide book, A Complete Guide to the English Lakes, by Harriet Martineau, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, and by Whittaker and Co, London, 1855; published 1855-76. goto source Rainfall, page 177:- "WEATHER." "The only remaining consideration is the weather. There is no need to observe that where there are many mountain tops, there must be much rain. The Lake District does receive a high average of rain, as is shown by the following set of observations, published by Dr. Miller of Whitehaven." "FALL OF RAIN AT SEATHWAITE, BORROWDALE. : 1845. : 1846. : 1847. : 1848. : 1849. : 1850. : 1851. : 1852. : 1853. Inches : 152. : 143. : 129. : 162. : 115. : 144. : 140. : 157. : 114. " "AVERAGE OF TEN YEARS. At Keswick : 60 inches. Crummock : 85 inches Ambleside : 82 inches Kendal : 56 inches Bowness : 61 inches Troutbeck : 81 inches Greenwich : 25 inches Chiswick : 24 inches" "Much of the rich and verdant beauty of the region is derived from its frequent rains; but inexperienced tourists complain bitterly of them. For the guidance of strangers, it may be mentioned that, generally speaking, the worst months of the year in the Lake" "" goto source Page 178:- "District are November and December for storms; March for spring gales; and July for summer rains. The driest season is usually for a month or more onwards from the middle of May. September and October are often very fine months. Those who come but once, and take only a very cursory view, cannot be too careful in choosing the most favourable season for their trip, though to those who are familiar with the characteristics of this paradise, there is no aspect or accident of earth or sky that has not its charm."

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