Question

Could anyone explain the meaning :-
The lake faced west and was fed by a stream, the drainings of the semi-circling hills. One side was open to the winds from the sea and in winter a little outlet trickled over the cliffs making a black vein in their grey sides.​

Answer 1

It means that -

The lake was in the direction of West and a stream was connected to it and surrounded withthere hills which look like a half circle aka semi circle . In one direction there was no hills from with the breeze from sea comes near the lake and in winter the fog over the cliff making them seem black from back as the fog seems to be grey.

hope u Understood