Taking it Easy

I'm having a relaxed kind of day. This last week I've been up and down with symptoms of a head cold. One day I've felt completely fine, the next I've been snuffly and achy again. Today I'm feeling fine, I hope it lasts. 

The boiler has been given the okay following it's annual service this morning, the washing is blowing gently on the line and I've just taken some freshly baked flapjack out of the oven. Whilst eating my lunch, I managed to finish the book which I'd started reading when we were camping, and out of the window I can now see that the sun is shining and the bird feeder is busy with Blue Tits, Starlings and the occasional Sparrow. The grass could do with cutting. My next job once I've sat down with a coffee, I think. 

It's a good day, and I'm enjoying a week away from work free from pressure or expectation, besides some unhurried mornings and a few good walks. 

These photographs are from last weekend when we hiked from the shores of Thirlmere up to Ullscarf, one of the most central (and quieter) fells in The Lakes, stopping off for a (very) refreshing paddle in Harrop Tarn. The water was so cold! Our walk began with a steep climb up past Dobgill Falls, then along a track through the forest where we reached a gate. Here the route opened up onto the fell side, where to my delight I heard another cuckoo, before continuing to reach another gate overlooking Blea Tarn, where we turned left towards the summit. The summit itself was quite uninspiring, but the views of the surrounding fells more than made up for it. Spending time this way only serves to remind me just how necessary it is to my wellbeing and something I hope to prioritise now that the days are longer and the weather is improving. 

I apologise for there being a delay in publishing some of your comments. I don't know if it is the same for anybody else but I've noticed many comments I've received are being sent to my spam folder and some I've left on other posts simply disappear for some reason. I hope these issues are resolved very soon.

J. X