Garden flowers in May

The joy of a garden is getting flowers to grow throughout the year. May is a special time as following the delightful fresh flowers of spring we get the showy blooms of rhododendrons.

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.

Derbyshire — down by the riverside!

We have been away a few days in our mobile caravan. We often go to Derbyshire, apart from being the 'home county' of my husband who has relatives there, we love the place. Moors, fields and deep dales with rocky peaks towering above delightful lushness. Easy footpaths beside sparkling rivers, wild flowers in abundance, and utter peace and tranquility. This is food for the soul and a taste of heaven. Today photographs of Milldale and Wolfscotedale, the next photos will be of old railway track walks.