March

This morning I was woken early to the sound of Mog trying to use my bedroom door frame as a scratching post. A perfectly (well, maybe not quite) ordinary start to my day. So ordinary that for the briefest of moments I could almost forget that our days have recently become anything but. I was about to throw a slipper in her general direction - don't worry, my aim is rubbish at the best of times but especially at 5.30 a.m. - when I decided, instead, to get up and make coffee. On the surface we are going through the motions - work and school continue, for now at least, but there is a definite feeling of unease and uncertainty as we go about our days, not knowing what the next will bring. Aside from the school day itself, all other activities have been cancelled until further notice.

I have been quiet here for a few weeks. Not because of anything serious, or anything to do with the current situation, I just needed some time out to recharge. Little did I realise how much would change in that time. It's hard not to worry and the weekly food shop is proving challenging to say the least, but we are taking the advised precautions and trying to remain positive and hopeful.

With that in mind, at the weekend we enjoyed a much needed dose of fresh air with a walk along the shores of Ullswater. There's nothing quite like a relaxing stroll surrounded by Lakeland fells to gladden my heart and banish any worries to the back of my mind,  for a while at least.

The Ullswater Way is a 20 mile circular route around Ullswater but we completed just a short section of this, between Aira Force and Glenridding. Although, for the most part, the morning was overcast, the weather remained fine with even occasional glimpses of  blue sky. The day was chilly, with snow still visible on the higher fells and many of the surrounding fields were still holding water from the heavy rainfall we've been experiencing the last few weeks.

The path begins slightly away from the shore and crosses many water courses making their way down from the fells towards the lake, providing so very many opportunities for games of poohsticks. So many that I lost count. 😊 The route then follows the shore around Glencoyne Bay, past Wordsworth Point, a beautiful stretch of woodland believed to be the inspiration for Wordsworth's 'Daffodils' poem, before reaching the village of Glenridding. Here we stopped for a chocolate break before retracing our steps, relishing every breath of fresh air, while stopping to admire the stunning views and daffodils along the way.

On returning to the start of the walk, we finished our picnic lunch, watched as some crumbs scattered on top of a low stone wall enticed the birds, and enjoyed a delicious hot chocolate while the daffodils did their 'fluttering and dancing in the breeze'.

Stay well.

J. X