Ullswater 2 - Howtown to Pooley Bridge and return

There is some uncertainty surrounding the origin of the name Ullswater. It may come from the Nordic chief Ulf (meaning wolf), who ruled this area, or it may be named after the Saxon Lord Ulphu, whose land bordered the lake, or even after the Norse God Ullr. Given the option, I'd definitely want to lay claim to it!

Lots of random facts today as we continue our journey round the lake.

From Howtown, our 'Steamer' journey continued north towards Pooley Bridge.

Although the boats are called 'Steamers', they are actually all diesel driven. The two older boats, Lady of the Lake and Raven, were converted in the 1930s and were originally working boats, servicing the Greenside lead mine at Glenridding. They were first used  in the 1850s, to move mail, workers and goods, and continued to perform this service until the closure of the mine in 1962.

The mist was hanging over the mountains.

It was on the reaches of Ullswater that Sir Donald Campbell set the world water speed record in 1955, attaining a speed of 202.32mph in his jet propelled hydroplane Bluebird K7.

The landing stage at Pooley Bridge marks the northern tip of the lake.

Just below here, on the eastern shore, is Eusemere, the home of anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Clarkson (1760–1846) and it was here, in 1802, that Wordsworth was inspired to write his most famous poem Daffodils.

Turning back southwards, the steep eastern banks were filled with larch trees, the only British coniferous tree to lose its leaves.