Heaviness but the sun comes through

I often draw from nature to solve my problems or discomfort. Heavy clouds with sun breaking through has always been an uplifting sight for me. I don't care much for bright sunshine as it is bad for my sight. In just about everything to do with life, I find Contrasts easier to cope with. You can have too much of a good thing? Well that is the way we were brought up to think. (And 'too much' for us in those days would seem to be what most folk take for granted these days!)

I can't walk like I used to but I enjoy getting out to view nature close to, but also look at vistas that go on for miles.

You don’t have to go far out of Ulverston to find staggering views towards Coniston. Of course, you can get excellent views of distant fells and mountains from the local Hoad, and other places too, but this one here, where Coniston Water lies below a sweep of mountains underneath smouldering skies, is always close to my heart. For those keen on walking (fairly steep hill to climb) follow the Cumbrian Way until reaching the road that goes upwards towards the moors (or go straight up Old Hall Road, turning left at the crossroads, passing Windy Ash Barn and upwards towards the Anglers Tarn. Continue walking upwards until distant Coniston comes into view. Actually we often drive this way home into Ulverston and stop the car to take in the view. But we have walked in that direction a number of times. At a rough guess I would say it is about two miles from the town centre. Maybe less — walking uphill always makes the journey seem much longer!

A Walk Around Linacre Reservoir — Derbyshire

We have been away on a caravan holiday. Gentle walks with beautiful scenery. Derbyshire is a great county with considerable history too. Linacre Reservoir is connected with Chesterfield's industrial past. It is now a beauty spot with much wild life in woods and on the water. A true delight. I'll let the photographs tell the story.

Swanning along by the Ulverston canal

Industry and nature — side by side.
We drove down to Ulverston's Canal Foot to take a little walk on this sunny afternoon. The canal is a little over a mile long but I was not able to walk that far. We had been for a stroll this morning so this little saunter was to drink in the sea air and photograph the swans on the canal. It is a drab time of the year but the sun on water brought sparkle, and the clear sky reflected shades of blue. In shallow areas of the canal a warm glow framed some signets. Just to look at that photo gives me tremendous pleasure. Shimmering reflections have brought life to the photographs too.
The GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical buildings run alongside the lower end of the canal and there are no leaves on the trees to hide them. Even so, it is good to see that nature can live comfortably alongside industry.
The canal is blocked at the sea end. There is talk of the canal becoming a marina. A boat lift would be needed for sea-going vessels. But that is some time away. At present it is pleasant enough as things are. A 'rough' walk along the coast path takes in splendid views across the bay. (An earlier post talks about this). But the canal path is great for young and old alike. Watch out for youngsters on their little bikes! It is one of the few safe places for them to 'let rip'! Wheelchairs, pushchairs, wrinklies with walking sticks. Wheels and walkers - all can be seen on a sunny day. Everyone smiles, people greet one another and dogs wag their tails! And, of course, there is a hotel at Canal Foot which serves meals. Coffee or afternoon tea overlooking the sea — great!

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Walks around Ulverston

We are very lucky to be living in an area of outstanding beauty, and luckier still to have footpaths close to our home and taking us on walks both short and long.
Sunday we walked on a path running along the Flan (local hill) across a road, uphill again through woods alive with scented bluebells, and along a well-made path up to the Hoad Monument — with breathtaking views across Morecambe Bay, round to the high hills of Lancashire and still further round to the lovely fells and mountains of Cumbria.
Yesterday, we walked along the coastal path from Canal Foot to Plumpton and taking the footpath across fields back to where we started. Here we had views across the bay and distant hills plus more local scenery. This walk was minus the struggling uphill of the former one and, in its way, just as pleasant. The tide coming in gave us sun-lit ripples of fast-running water, and the wild flowers along the paths, both sweet and pungent, were a joy to behold.

Derbyshire — walking along the old railway

Derbyshire has many miles of old railway tracks, which are now wonderful places to walk and to cycle on. During the last week we walked along the Monsel trail. It takes you on a magical trip through Monseldale — a wooded valley with steep rocky sides climbing high into the sky, and with a sparkling river flowing below. Only a few stone-built houses can be seen, plus the magnificent Caldwell Mill, which has been converted to tasteful accommodation. (I wonder what those 19c mill workers would have thought of it?) The mill is built on a site that once produced oil from peppermint, plus other herb products. The wild flowers this year are the best we have ever seen — a delight to the senses. Bridges and tunnels are breathtaking features of this walk as the engineering skills involved and the graceful lines truly excite the imagination.