Winter Sunset at Sandscale Haws
It has been a lovely day in the Lake District today with sunshine and blue skies in abundance. I just about had time to have a look at the sunset from Roanhead (properly called Sandscale Haws) which has fabulous views along the Duddon Estuary to the south western fells.
The red dot shows where I was on the Furness peninsula.
And zoomed in.
Reflected sunset on Askam in Furness. It is hard to imagine the industrial past of this tranquil looking idyll, but where the houses are now is the site of the former steelworks and the coastline of the whole Duddon Estuary was peppered with iron ore mines (spoil heaps are visible to the right) and industry in the early 1900's. My grandfather worked underground in these mines not so long ago.
Black Combe in winter.
Duddon Channel reflections.
The Coniston fells across Duddon Sands. The central dark slab is Askam Pier - nothing more than a band of slag from the old steelworks, jutting out into the estuary.
Sandscale Haws.
Black Combe.
The setting sun gives a nice orangey glow to the estuary.
A beautiful panoramic view of the Scafells, Esk Pike and Bowfell.
Watching the sun go down from the top of the highest dune now, elevation about 10m!
The Duddon Estuary.
Southern fells vista.
Scafells sunset.
Esk Pike and Bowfell.
A panoramic view of the fells: Kirk Fell, Scafells, Esk Pike, Bowfell, the Coniston fells and the Fairfield fells.
The Coniston fells.
Black Combe panoramic.
They call the west Cumbrian coast 'The Energy Coast' and here is a view of the latest development out to sea, the Ormonde wind farm beneath a dramatic setting sun.
Looking south to the industrial part of Barrow in Furness in the fading light - plumes of steam from the paper mills (these are the ones you can often see from the Coniston fells and Scafells), the spire of St James Church and the giant Devonshire Dock Hall to the right where Britain's nuclear submarines are built.
Crimson snow capped Scafells as the sun sets.
The wind farm at Kirksanton across Duddon Channel.
The sun has virtually gone now but that sky and light - 'gloaming' - is a sight to behold.
The loneliness of the long distance walker.
Scafells - at the end of the day.