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Miss Lesley Flood

Hope Half Hour 2023

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I’m doing the Hope Half Hour this January.

Every minute, someone in the UK is diagnosed with lung disease. Asthma + Lung UK is the only UK charity that fights for everyone’s right to breathe. The Asthma + Lung UK helpline gives on average half an hour of support to everyone who contacts them.

I’m doing the Hope Half Hour, walking half an hour every day in January, to make a difference. Every pound I'm able to raise will take us a step closer to a world where everyone has healthy lungs.

Just £22 allows one of Asthma + Lung UK's nurses to answer a call on the Helpline, offering potentially lifesaving advice. I'd be very grateful for any donations you could make!

My Progress – Hope Half Hour

January 2023

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My Activity Tracking

1,528
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Raised £50

Raised £100

Raised £200!

Challenge Complete

My Updates

Last Day!

Tuesday 31st Jan
Well today was the final walk of the challenge. We thought that this afternoon was going to be better weatherwise so postponed the start of our walk until then. However it actually became quite dark and slightly drizzly. Anyway, we set off down the main road to the Recreation Ground and, instead of cutting through the Churchyard we continued down the side of the Rec. We could see that quite an bit of work was being done there presumably to spruce it up before the start of the next season.

I had half been thinking that it would be nice to go down to the Lake for the last walk but the weather was closing in and the temperature dropping so we turned right instead, past the carpark. Work was being done there too to laydown more permeable matting which grass can still grow through and any rain water drain away.

As we entered the paerk we could hear the sound of chain saws, one of my least favourite sounds as I love trees. A large branch had been sawn off a tree so that it no longer protruded over the playground. I suppose they are more careful than ever since the recent tragedy but then they had removed a large number of trees even before then. :-( .

Feeling a bit down hearted, but still excited to be nearing the end of the challenge we cut across the not too muddy grass to avoid the work area and continued to the river bank. My binocs. were still in my rucksack and so we had lovely sightings of two female Dippers (still no sign of the males). From there we crossed the footbridge and started up the footpath past the sheep field. At that point it started to hail and it became obvious that we were going to finish the challenge in the wet, just as we started it in the rain all those days ago.

Still we had the scent of home (or at least the cafe). As we crossed the half hour mark my friend took a picture of me (she doesn't like being on photos). I look as if my head is pointy but that is just because I was wearing a bobble hat under my hood. From there we continued back into the village and headed to our favourite cafe to celebrate.

Day 30

Monday 30th Jan
Today has been a lovely day, quite sunny and, at times really quite warm. After the frustrating time not being able to identify the tiny, noisy birds at the top of the pine tree I decided to take my binocs this time and revisit the churchyard. So we headed down there again but, unfortunately the tiny birds had probably long gone. There were however still a lot of birds flittering between trees and bushes, particularly in a very atmospheric area of Yew trees which they seem to love. I shall certainly go down there again when not on an actual walk.

A bit further along the main path passes a large and spreading Pine tree in which a bird was singing most melodiously but, apart from a tiny, fleeting glimpse of what may have been a Coal Tit the singer remained hidden in the branches.

We kept on through the Churchyard enjoying being in the sunshine as well as thinking about the families of people only recently buried there of which there are a number. From there we continued along our usual route into the park but then I took an ever so slightly daring route across the sometimes muddy grass, whereas my walking companion stuck to the footpaths.

I reached the river just before she did and so had a head start on the Dipper spotting. There was actually one there, a sight which always makes me smile whether it is the first or fourth sighting of the day. The cheeky Robin was also standing on the back of the bench in the exact same spot as where I last photographed him and he proceeded to follow us along the Stoney Lane Footpath and pose in the Blackthorn bush again. I decided to video him singing but just as I raised my camera he flew off!

A bit further along the path my companion spotted a Mistle Thrush standing very upright a little way across the sheep field. I raised my binocs. to get a better look and its markings were absolutely magnificent. I then spotted another a little distance away from the first and pointed it out to my friend. It turned out that one was the one she had first spotted so I had been looking at the other one. Only the other day we were thinking that we hadn't spotted even one of these large thrushes for a long, long time.

Further along the beck we spotted at least two more Dippers (although as they fly up and down it, it may well have been the same one). All the Dippers we have seen recently have been female which seems strange as we used to see males. They are easy to tell apart because the females are brown with a white 'bib' and the males are black with a white 'bib'.

On the stretch approaching the Little Bridge House we saw (possibly the same) two Mallards again, a male and a female. Apparently there are more males than females. It is thought that is probably because the females are more vulnerable to predation when they are sitting on their nests. That would at least partly explain why they are often seen in groupings of two males and one female. Elsewhere I read that was pobably because the female hadn't  up her mind yet! Either way the three ducks that were there a few days ago are now two.

So, tomorrow is the last one of these January walks. I wonder if I will be able to raise even more for this excellent organisation-I would love to do so  if I can :-) 


Day 29

Sunday 29th Jan
I can't believe there are just two more days of this challenge left! Today, as we were both tired and there was a ridiculously chilly breeze we stuck to our usual walk but for a bit of a change from the last few days we went round in a clockwise difrection. We started off down the main road then right and into the churchyard. 

We hadn't gone very far when we heard a sound of masses of little birds chirping extrememly loudly. We looked in the direction of the sound but couldn't see a single bird. So we followed one of the minor paths in that direction to try and spot them. I thought the sound might be coming from a thick holly bush , but having walked almost right round it there were still no birds to be seen. I half expected Jeremy Beadle to leap out with a loud speaker but no Jeremy Beadle either!

So we retraced our steps as there is no (official) way out there. It was then that my friend and walking companion spotted the birds which were very small and clustered right at the top of a Pine tree silhouetted against the light. I didn't have my binoculars today so there was no way we could reliably identify them. I wish I was more like my Great Aunt Joan who could identify absolutely any bird by their call.

From there we continued through the churchyard, exiting it through the lychgate and then walked down past the carpark. The football club carpark was the fullest I have ever seen it and we could tell by the calls of the adult human male that there was a football match in full swing.

We then entered the park through the little gate there and followed the path alongside the a wild area of mostly small to medium size trees which, ironically has always been excellent for wild birds but was somewhat 'domesticated' at the time of the playground construction to make it a designated 'nature area' and is only just recovering its former diversity! 

From there we crossed the playground and followed the main path, noticing that the areas of grass which recently became like small ponds have now mostly dried out and look like less inviting muddy patches.

We did our usual Dipper spotting exercise by the river and did indeed spot one in the distance, probably quite close to where I recorded one singing. As we walked along the Stoney Lane footpath we noticed that the top of Fairfield was once again hidden by cloud and I took a photo of Wansfell which had clouds scudding past it on the stiff breeze.

There were a couple of Mallards in the beck on the stretch between the car park road bridge and the footbridges. There was just one male and one female today, whereas a short while ago there was a group of two males and one female, quite a common Mallard grouping, I don't know whether there are simply more males, I must try to find out and will let you know if I do!


Day 28

Saturday 28th Jan
Today's exercise came in two bursts as we had a walk this morning and then, this afternoon we returned to the park to do the RSPB Garden Birdwatch. I haven't counted the latter in my minutes because the birdwatching was a bit static to truthfully count as a walk. 

We did our actual walk just before lunch and purposely tried not to notice birds so that we wouldn't see something really interesting that we would feel sad about not being able to 'count'! With this in mind we took the widest sensible route around the park (our birdwatching zone) after first walking down Stoney Lane Footpath. In all the time that we have been using that footpath I think we have only seen the Uni. football pitch in use about twice but today one of the local Youth teams was using it, which was good to see.

A bit further down the path the friendly local Robin more or less accosted us again, singing loudly from the Blackthorn so I gave in and took its photo-again. At the side of the River Rothay there is a log which must have washed down stream and the right hand end which sticks up higher than the rest looks for all the world like the head of a brown calf looking upwards. My friend suggested that I took a photo so I did, it is with my others at the bottom of the page if you would like to judge for yourself.

From the corner with the two bridges we walked beside the river, around the edge of the park (across the much drier grass), along by the car park and through the churchyard. I noticed that the jackdaws seem to be nesting in the church tower (which is also a bat roost). We also saw a little black and white cat on the prowl and unfortunately witnessed it catch a small bird :-( . I love cats and also birds but when I see something like that I am firmly on the side of the birds.

From there we returned to the cafe for some fortifying soup before the Birdwatch. Just out of interest our hour's Birdwatch yielded a very satisfying list of bird species including: 2 Blackbirds, 1 Blue tit, 14 Jackdaws, 1 Dunnock, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Carrion Crow, 1 Robin, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Chaffinch and 6 Woodpigeons. You can only count the most of one species you see at the same time and so for fairly solitary birds like Robins you end up undercounting even if you are pretty sure that you have seen quite a few different ones.


Day 27

Friday 27th Jan
We had a lovely walk today, not over long but we took our time in the sunshine and I was able to take plenty of photos as we walked along (see below). 

I needed to pop into the building society so we started off by walking into the village. Once I had done what I needed to we continued along the main road as far as Wansfell Road, then turned right past the Catholic Church and down to the bottom road. Unlike the previous time however we turned left at the bottom, past a field in which 40 new houses are to be constructed at some point apparently and then across Borrans Road by the Rugby club and over the Bronwen Nixon Footbridge.

From there we crossed over the Langdale road and onto the Under Loughrigg road which we meandered along fairly slowly so we could enjoy the scenery and look out for wildlife. Part way along the road my friend spotted a Dipper swimming in the river. It always amazes me that such an not obviously aquatic bird can swim around so well under water in search of food before bobbing up and down (characteristically) on a rock in the river and then flying up or down the river as fast as a Kingfisher. We were then in for an extra special treat as the female bird that had just been swimming flew onto a rock at the side of the river and started singing the most lovely song. We have seen them singing before but never as close. I actually managed to video it for a short time although I have posted a still picture below as I don't think it will accept a video.

As we crossed over the bridge near the park we saw a Robin, who not wanting to be outdone stood on the back of a bench singing beautifully and almost demanding that I took his photo too, so I obliged.

We then passed through the gate to the left of the bench and wandered up our usual footpath to the main road and home. A most satisfactory walk :-)






Day 26

Friday 27th Jan
After yesterday's long walk we were both rather tired today and also needed to pop home again to drop off some things that we don't need over the next couple of days. Neither of us has a car and so, staying locally we can do these 'daft' things. After relaxing over some lunch we we walked past the Little Bridge House and down the path next to the park yet again. It was nice to see that the sheep are back in the field again (picture below) and I also took a photo of a Robin in a Blackthorn bush and one of the bare trees in the park which looked attractive against the sky (I like the latticework of branches). We  then turned left along by the river, then left again and around past the playground to the central path. Then, as we still had to get back to where we are staying we left the park, walked up the main road past Boots, right and then left up North Road, over the beck on the road bridge, across the Kirkstone Pass Road and along the lane to our 'base'.

Day 25

Wednesday 25th Jan
Darn, I have just written a long post and lost the lot! The short version is that we walked to to Rydal today in the rain. En route we saw the friendly neighbourhood Tawny Owl asleep in a tree, some lovely old walls at the side of the lane covered in moss and lichen including some lichen with ‘golf tee’ fruiting bodies, some very misty fells, some large trees which had been brought down by recent storms and a lovely old house with accidental or deliberate garden sheep!

At Rydal Hall we had some tea and sandwiches in the quiet cafe before starting our walk timer again and returning to Ambleside via the Rydal Hall track (the sun finally making an appearance). From the track we could see lovely views of the fells near and far and hear but not see a Green Woodpecker . We also saw a tree resembling an enormous bottle brush, a vast Horse Chestnut tree and a gnarled and ancient hollow Ash Tree.

I took plenty of photos of today’s walk which can all be seen at the bottom of the page :-) .

Day 24

Tuesday 24th Jan
Today dawned misty and distinctly uninviting. After a gentle start to the day I packed up some washing to take home and we both wandered down into the village to check our respective post and so I could drop the washing off (less to carry later in the week). After a coffee at our usual spot we then walked down past the school narrowly avoiding a rather aggressive dog on a lead and veered off into the church grounds out of its way. We felt a bit concerned when it’s owner decided to take the same route, perhaps to avoid other dogs which this dog obviously took exception to. Anyway they left the main path and a sense of peace was quickly restored.

Today seemed colder than we had expected, perhaps due to the general dampness and we decided to keep this walk fairly minimal. We made our way through the churchyard as usual and turned right past the car park. Our local fell Loughrigg was shrouded in mist but we could just make out the silhouettes of some of the trees on its flanks. I like it when we can just see the bottom of the fells as, in my imagination they could be much higher like the beautiful and exciting alpine peaks I saw on childhood holidays.

We then entered the park and cut straight across the playground to the central park path where we turned left past the memorial bench with its flowers and the rocky hummocks with their tentatively clinging oak trees to the footbridge between the little waterfall and main river. At the other side of the bridge there is an old iron fence and on a patch of the grass behind it by the footpath to the main road the primary school have planted wild flowers. In the Spring there are some pre-existing wild flowers there as well including wood anemones but today there was a little snowdrop ( the most fully out one we have seen so far).

We followed up this footpath surveying what we could see of the view. There are usually sheep in the field to the left but not today. The grass is looking very nibbled and, I suppose they will be lambing before too long. Hopefully they are indoors somewhere at the moment.

There were still no Dippers to be seen but there was a flock of Rooks on the Uni playing field and, as we walked along the main road towards the little Bridge House we saw three Mallards having a lovely time bathing in the beck. It was the first time for a long while that I have seen ducks of any kind and I have been quite worried about them with bird flu being about. We also saw, (not technically on our walk but later when we were walking back to where we are staying) a goldcrest, that most lovely of tiny birds in the ivy next to the North road bridge over the beck. :-) 

Day 23

Monday 23rd Jan
A bit of a different walk today. We decided despite the dampness of the day (at least not as cold) to catch the bus to Grasmere. After calling into a cafe there for lovely cheese scones and coffee we set off on our walk. We first started along a little road in the general direction of Easdale. This joins up with the drive up to Allan Bank one of the National Trust’s less formal properties (closed today). From the bottom of the drive there is the start of a pretty level permissive path which we followed along, past Glenthorne, the Quaker guesthouse. We know this path very well as it leads to Goody Bridge, somewhere we have stayed many times. It is so peaceful there that any tension we might be feeling drains away.

The path has been resurfaced recently and new gates installed which are so complicated (being aimed primarily at horse riders) that there is a sign next of one of them telling mere pedestrians how to open it!

Despite the murky weather the trees seemed alive with birdsong although apart from some Blue tits, a lady chaffinch, a nuthatch and some jackdaws the birds were either hiding entirely or in a non descript silhouette.

We walked past the converted barn where we usually stay and to the end of the public road, where very unusually we could neither see nor hear the Easdale waterfall in the distance. The bare trees however looked very dark and dramatic against the misty background and I photographed both some of those and a rather impressive Herdwick tup (ram).

At the end of the road it changes seamlessly into the drive to Lancrigg (what was a vegetarian but no more) guesthouse. We followed this almost as far as the house and then turned right up a short track past Thorney How hostel then right again to bring us back via a small loop onto the Easdale road.

We returned to the permissive path for a short distance then left it and crossed over the road to a delightful woodland path which eventually joins the main road back through the village which led us nicely to the bus stop. Despite the weather we really enjoyed this lovely peaceful walk. You can see some of my misty photographs with the others at the bottom of the page :-) .


Day 22

Sunday 22nd Jan
Today has been, for the most part a relaxing one as the weather has been cold, dark, damp and dreary. However early this afternoon we ventured down into the village from where we are staying for a bit of lunch at the cafe. Then, suitably fortified we called in at my house to check the viability of some sprouts (they were not) before heading out on our cold, misty walk. 

From my house we headed off down the main road beside the beck looking out for birds as we went. Unfortunately we did not spot a Dipper today. We then turned down our usual path, still no Dippers although there was a solitary blackbird having a wash in the beck hence today’s ‘spot the blackbird’ picture.

All the fells were cloaked in mist but, strangely I find that misty days enhance my appreciation of things closer to hand and I just had to take a photo of my favourite wonky Pine tree standing out dark against a misty silhouette of Loughrigg.

We were actually quite surprised by the number of people out this afternoon as if everyone had been waiting for the weather to improve but then, as it didn’t , setting off anyway.

As usual we turned left into the park, walked along by the river and then turned left. It was there that we found a perfect piece of light green branching lichen lying on  bed of leaves on the path. It was so attractive that I took its photo (at bottom of page). Having looked it up I now know it is called Evernia prunastri or Oakmoss and is one of the lichens used to judge air quality as it is sensitive to nitrogen pollution. It has also been used in perfume apparently although not so much now as it isn’t good for people with skin allergies.

After admiring the lichen we continued past the playground and, as we had a bit further to get back to our temporary abode we then left the park and walked past the school and Parish Centre, past the cafe, shops and post office, over the bridge, up the North Road and back to our cosy base.

Day 21

Saturday 21st Jan
Today was my friend’s birthday and so after a leisurely start to the day we wandered into the village for a coffee outside our favourite cafe. 

After this we had a gentle walk down past the primary school then into the grounds of the church a slightly different way. The theme of today’s walk seemed to be the ringing of the church bells which was already underway at the start of our walk and still going strong by the time we had looped right round the park and back to the main road. To begin with we assumed there must have been a wedding on but as there was no sign of one we decided that maybe it was one of the (very good) visiting bell ringing groups.  Another theme of today’s walk could be my sudden appreciation of my beautifully warm Christmas mittens. I  really don’t know why I have waited until now to use them!

As we were walking down through the park we passed a bench which is in memory of someone who tragically died in the park during a relatively recent storm. There are often bunches of flowers tied neatly to it and it is moving to see how very well loved this person obviously was (and still is).



Day 20

Saturday 21st Jan
‘Today’s’ blog has had to be written in retrospect due to my iPad running out of juice yesterday and deleting everything I had written! Most of yesterday was spent getting ready for a very local birthday trip and so by the time we managed to start our walk the shadows were already lengthening.

We decided to walk in a clockwise direction this time going down the main road and then right into the churchyard. It was very cold again so we couldn’t ‘hang about’ for long and walked briskly to the lych gate and then a sharp right to go down past the car park and into the park. We didn’t risk cutting across the grass this time as one of us was wearing some new shoes (she didn’t want to get muddy) and so walked straight across the playground before turning left down the main path through the park. This nearly proved an error of judgement as it looked as if the sun hadn’t reached it all day and it was quite slippery.

By the time we reached the path beside the park it felt as if there was a definite icy mist and my blue inhaler had to be deployed again. Following this we continued up the path to the main road where we turned right, past the Little Bridge House and then home.

Day 19

Thursday 19th Jan
Just a quick post today as it is quite late and the day has been a slightly trying one. We didn't manage to get out for a walk until quite late this afternoon due to waiting in for a food delivery which had been delayed by the treacherous driving conditions. Anyway we went out nevertheless and did our 'default' walk down the footpath by the park, round the edge of the park, across the frozen grass to the little road past the car park and back through the churchyard. No photos today as it was freeeeezing!

Day 18

Thursday 19th Jan
Another day of glorious sunny weather but a bitterly cold wind. Today we thought we would start off by walking through the centre of the village. I tend to avoid doing that when it is very busy with visitors, prefering to stick to the quieter streets, however it is quite quiet at the moment. it was interesting to see the changes since the last time I went that way. There were two new pizza places that I hadn't spotted before and there seem to be more holiday cottage renting places which is a bit of a worry as quite a few places in the Lakes have now become pretty much devoid of full time residents and housing is very expensive.

We then took a right turn and walked down a street I haven't been down for years, past some holiday cottages, the Catholic Church and a large building which used to house the Lakes Christian Centre to the lower road into the village.

At that point all originality deserted us and we turned right to the entrance into the car park next to the park and then into the park itself. After cutting across the playground we turned left down the central park path. 

It was then that the peace of the day was abruptly shattered by the first three of the ultimately at least ten low flying jets that streaked over our heads. They were so loud that we could feel the vibrations through our bodies and no sooner had I taken my fingers out of my ears than I had to stick them straight back in again for the next lot! Such are the joys of living in the 'quiet' countryside.

As we crossed the beck via the footbridge we stopped, as always to appreciate the little waterfall and noticed that the beck, which  only a short time ago was so high that it touched the bottom of the bridge had now dropped to about 4 feet lower and the whole of the waterfall was now visible, rather than just the top.

From there we walked up the path at the side of the park from where we got some lovely views of the snow topped Fairfield Horseshoe (photo at the bottom of the page) and I also took what I thought was quite an artistic view of Wansfell to the East. There is also a lovely pine tree on the opposite side of the college playing field. It used to be one of a pair but its 'partner' was felled a while ago and the tree has also had the left fork of its canopy removed so it looks a bit unbalanced but still photogenic.

When we reached the main road we turned right, alongside the beck where I took another spot the Dipper photo and I finally remembered to take a picture of the fmous Little Bridge House :-) .


Day 17

Tuesday 17th Jan
This afternoon we decided to set off in a slightly different direction (at least initially). Instead of going straight along the main road we diverted up North Road which took us across another of the approximately 9 bridges which cross over Stockghyll Beck. From that bridge we got a lovely view looking down the beck with the old watermill on the right with its waterwheel and very attractive old buildings on the left. (photo below) This area used to be called Rattleghyll because of the sound made by the bobbin mills there. Looking up the beck from the bridge I spotted and photographed another Dipper very well camouflaged against the stones of the beck.

Following this we continued up North Road crosssing over the Kirkstone Road and along a narrow lane with high walls which comes out near a cottage we have stayed in before. We turned left there and back down the Kirkstone Road, over the main road and footbridge into the car park. It is a large car park and as we haven't walked down to the bottom end for ages we thought we would see what was new.

I must admit the carpark itself is wholly unremarkable however it gives another angle on the beck and the views from there towards an exceedingly wintry Wansfell were magnificent. We also saw that the old measuring stick (don't know the scientific term) was still against one wall of the beck and the modern automated device was on the other side, a belt and braces approach I assume.

The walk from there assumed a more run of the mill route, down the very frosty path next to the park, over the beck again by the little waterfall and alongside the river. We noticed that there was an official looking tree person there assessing the trees some of which already had the orange 'mark of doom'. It always makes me sad to see that as I love trees even the straggly looking ones.

As the ground was frozen solid there was no need for the playbridge today as we could just walk straight across the usually quite muddy grass at the edge of the park to the path. Then we took the usual route along the side of the second car park, through the church yard. As it is a relatively small community we knew quite a few of the people buried there and we always like to think of them as well as the other people we never met as we walk through.

As it was such a chilly walk my friend very kindly offered to buy me a coffee at our usual cafe which was very gratefully received.






Day 16

Monday 16th Jan
Well today I have passed the half way point of this challenge :-).   After yesterday's longer walk we decided to revert to our good old faithful circular one. The sky was a brilliant blue and the mountains topped with snow. The wind was icy cold but at least we were both well wrapped up. As the scenery looked so beautiful  we ambled at a fairly relaxed pace down the footpath next to the park trying to avoid any icy spots and with me taking a few photos to put on here (please see down at the bottom of the page). 

The river looked lovely with the water glistening in the sun and with the level now dropping we had a lovely sighting of a female Dipper. We had been a bit worried about them recently as the stones they usually use to enter the river have been submerged for a while. 

We walked along the river side, past the picnic area, over the ever so handy mud avoiding play bridge (again) past the car park and through the church yard and back to the cafe for soup.

Day 15

Sunday 15th Jan
Today I decided that we should have a change from our usual route, particularly as it was actually dry for once with even a suggestion of sunshine. One of our favourite walks is  up past our local full sized waterfall to a seat at the bottom of a well worn track up a steep local fell (the fell itself being too steep for us these days). From this seat we can see spectacular views across our valley all the way to the distant Coniston Fells and the famous Langdales.

My initial intention today was to just walk up part of the way to the top entrance to the falls then retrace our steps to a semi- secret and very quiet path between gardens, through a little back valley and then home.

So we set off up the little road, past some wonderful Beech trees which look lovely in the Spring and a tree stump into which people have hammered more and more one pence pieces for some reason only known to them.

We could see the beck down in the wooded gorge to our left and very lovely it looked too. We decided not to go through the gorge on the woodland path as it looked busy and would have been very muddy today. Instead we kept on up the road and took the more level path into the woods which leads directly to the viewing platform overlooking the waterfall. 

I must say it looked magnificent today after all the rain and I was able to take some photos although the fall has two drops and with that and the safety railing I couldn't get it all in one shot. My photos are at the bottom of the page.

Following that we returned to the road and my friend mentioned that it would be a shame not to continue up to the wonderful view. So we did. :-)

Then we walked back down to the aforementioned 'secret' path. We have previously encountered a deer there but sadly not today. I know gardners find them a nuisance but I still think it is amazing to see such large wild animals roaming freely in our countryside.

This path took us to a steep residential road where we turned right and right again past a holiday complex with incredible views, down another little pathway which is so steep it has a handrail back down to the road where we started our walk.

I hope you are enjoying reading my blog and if you are, please would you consider making a donation of any size to help support the wonderful Asthma and Lung UK helpline  Thank you. :-)







Day 14

Saturday 14th Jan
Today was a bit of a tired day so we decided to stick to our old faithful circular walk. After having a cup of tea together outside our favourite cafe, I nipped home for a few minutes and then we reconvened and immediately spotted one of the local Buzzards after hearing it 'mewing' overhead.

 Following that we turned left along the main road, past the little bridge house. It is rumoured that an entire family once lived in that tiny one up, one down house on a bridge. The house is now owned by the National Trust and a friend who used to work there said he was once asked whether the house was built first or the bridge! I'll leave you to figure out that one! 

Today there has been a very gusty, cold wind and it was interesting to see everyone simultaneously snuggling down into their coats and zipping them up as far as they would go after a particularly strong gust.

From the bridge house we continued past the college and then down past the fairly new college residences and football pitch on the path next to the park to the river. There I took some photos of the amazing intertwined Horse Chestnut tree roots and the lovely old stone footbridge. I also took another of the little waterfall because I just couldn't resist.

We continued along by the river and past the picnic area where the jackdaws were enjoying some rare sunshine, through the playground and braved a tiny bit of mud rather than using the play bridge to get onto the proper footpath.

We then returned via the churchyard (no sign of the mystery mammal) to the cafe for lunch.

Day 13

Friday 13th Jan
A bit of a longer walk today. We needed to call into the building society briefly so started off the opposite direction to our usual route. As we came out my walking companion suggested that we go down to the lake which is around a mile away from the centre of the village. It was a bit chillier than it has been lately and could be best summed up as a mixture of showers, sunshine and plenty of rainbows!

We decided to stick to the main road on the way down, past the last of the shops and the garden centre before turning right down a delightful lane which I think of as the lane that time (almost) forgot. I say almost because there are now two, quite tasteful housing developments on the right hand side which nessecitated the removal of a length of the ancient hedgerow. This narrow old lane leads from the main road at the 'top' to the main road at the 'bottom' but has a sunken lane feel due to the high and mossy walls on each side for part of the way.

At the end of the lane we turned left to go to the lakeside. Opposite the lake there is a large carpark which due to the recent rain is closed as it has developed a convincing lake of its own. There were also deep puddles on either side of the road by the crossing and had we used it we would have been covered from head to toe with the bow waves of the passing cars.

The lake looked quite dramatic today as the water came up to the pedestrian 'prom' and the suns rays were shining through holes in the heavy looking clouds. We decided to return the way we had come because there were ominous looking clouds heading our way but as we turned we saw the first of the lovely deep rainbows. I managed to photograph it and will put the photo with the others I took today at the bottom of the page.

A short while later my friend pointed out that there was actually another faint rainbow above the main one. This was a recurring theme for the rest of the walk home and, amazingly (counting the double rainbows as two) we had spotted six by the time we arrived home! Lets hope they are a sign of better things to come. Actually, I did manage to finally attain my hot chocolate this afternoon which is a better thing in itself :-) .

Day 12

Thursday 12th Jan
Today's walk was unusual in that I was alone (my usual walking companion needed a rest) and it was not actually raining (made up for it now though). It was however pretty windy. 
Out of force of habit I turned left at the main road and walked in the direction of the Little Bridge House. I couldn't continue any further along the pavement because a lorry was parked on it and so I decided to cut through the car park and across the ever more dilapidated bridge. The Council started to mend it a few years ago but work stopped due to some crucial pipes somewhere in the structure and it has been falling apart ever since.

I didn't see anything very exciting today but the lack of rain meant that at least I could take some photos including one I can use as a slightly more convincing 'outdoorsy' profile picture!

Having gone down the usual footpath I turned left alongside the river around the edge of the park. The wind had dried out the grass a fair bit so I was able to keep to the edge of the park this time by the trees bordering the Football Ground. From there I continued past the car park, through the chuchyard but this time turned right out of the churchyard, past the Recreation Ground and then left again past the row of old cottages and followed the side streets (past a hedge which contains so many sparrows it sounds like and aviary) back to the cafe on the corner. 

Sadly there wasn't time for hot chocolate today either. Such is the life of an online chorister. Maybe tomorrow as a treat for finishing my recordings. ;-)

Day 11

Wednesday 11th Jan
Today has been another rather soggy one, although not as bad as yesterday. We started off our walk by going down to the Health Centre just to drop something off. On the way we noticed that although the beck was still looking quite feisty it is lower than yesterday. As we were in the vicinity we then went down our usual footpath which runs alongside the beck. Fortunately the path was still there. As it was raining more lightly by the time we reached the river I used my phone to try and take some photos but had forgotten that the camera of my new (refurbed) phone does not line up with the hole in my old case! One photo was O.K. so I will try and upload it. It illustrates the current wetness quite well.

The beck waterfall looked distinctly shorter than usual today as the water came further up it (an unusual phenomenon- the beck struggles to get into the main river when it is running fast) and I did not linger on the footbridge. The path that runs along the river was fine so we took our usual route to the deserted playground and over the strategically placed play bridge to reach the reatively recent path which leads from the football club past the car park. It was deserted today apart from two cars, one right in the middle and the other which looked as if it was feeling insecure and so was nestling up to the raised platform with the parking machines. They have to be raised up because the whole car park can flood!

From there we took a sharp left through the beautiful new gates, under the lych gate and up through the churchyard. By the time reached the cafe I had to be really firm with myself not to go in for a hot chocolate. I may not be as firm with myself tomorrow!




Day 10

Tuesday 10th Jan
Well, today has been every bit as wet as predicted. We delayed our walk, hoping for a lull in the rain but, as it didn't really happen we ended up going just as it was starting to get dark. We decided not to go down the path near the park today as one section has looked as if it would quite like to join the beck for some time. However we couldn't stop ourselves from going a bit in that direction do go and look at the beck from the main road (a rainy weather local pastime). It looked pretty wild as it came down past the old mill and curved around under the Little Bridge House. We then retraced our steps down the main road, cutting through the churchyard in the gathering rainy gloom to go down to the park. The dampness then got to me a bit (hooray for Ventolin). The park was as wet as could be expected and both the beck and the river looked high and starting to overflow so we didn't go too close but from where we were standing we could see that the beck was starting to push against the side of the modern footbridge so we beat a hasty retreat back to the warm and dry.

Day 9

Monday 9th Jan
Today we started in a different part of the village and so started off walking past the oldest cottages in the lower part of the village. Most of them are holiday cottages now. We then crossed over the main road and walked down past the recreation ground (closed now). I noticed that near to what was the putting green there is a miniature model air ambulance. I hav never noticed that before. I wonder if they ever land near there as (sadly) they are often needed around here. Then we walked past the car park and into the park itself. There were lots of little birds flitting between the trees close to the river. The flock of long tailed tits were there again-they really are delightful. We also saw a tree creeper which is another one of our favourite birds and often seen near a nuthatch (one creeping up and the other creeping down) Spring definitely seems to have Sprung (at least temporarily) in this corner of the Lakes. Following that we (predictably) went up the path near the park which is the ideal spot to appreciate the first convincing snow of the winter up on the fell tops. Yellow weather warning for rain tomorrow but will go out (carefully) even if I need to wear wellies.

Day 8

Monday 9th Jan
Today the weather was pretty awful and so we did a bit of a 'basic' sort of walk. Down the path next to the park, around the outside of the park, past the car park and back through the graveyard which is a real haven for birdlife. Today we saw a nuthatch which is always a lovely bird to see. There was also a mystery mammal which ran across the path and disappeared near the base of a pine tree. It was quite a way in the distance and in all likelihood it was a grey squirrel but seemed rather dark for that so we will have to keep a lookout incase it is something more un usual.

Day 7

Saturday 7th Jan
Today's walk was a walk of two halves. We started off down the usual footpath but, feeling much better than yesterday  we went over the little footbridge and along the minor road beside the river. While going down the footpath we saw a flock of rooks interspersed with black-headed gulls and the odd jackdaw. They were all doing a good job of aerating the Uni. football pitch whist looking for juicy morsels. We also saw a delightful flock of long-tailed tits which was a bit of a relief after seeing the lonely one yesterday. 

The river was looking pretty high again despite a lull in the rain so we didn't linger on the next (wooden) footbridge which has seen better days. We sometimes walk across the meadows to the lake but today they were covered in glistening flood water. So we walked back into the village via the main road and churchyard which was full of birds flitting between the yews and pine trees. We even saw at least three Chaffinches which used to be very common but are sadly not any more.

The second half of the walk was after lunch when we needed to pop to the far end of the village to try and book a special little holiday. Unfortunately it needs to be done online now so no luck. However it did mean a bit more of a leg stretch so worth it for that and we made it into a bit of a circular walk for interest. :-)

Day 6

Friday 6th Jan
Rather a dull day today again. Just wandered down the path next to the park again where we say some Great Tits for the first time for ages (I don't know where the little birds have been hiding). Also saw a long-tailed Tit which, most unusually was alone-a bit of a worry. The beck and the river have dropped a bit so we could see the 'Dipper stones' again but no sign of the Dippers. Maybe tomorrow. Then we pottered along by the river and straight through the park as I was completely lacking any 'oomph' today for some reason.

Day 5

Thursday 5th Jan
Today was another walk in the rain alough not too heavy. At least it brought out the natural colours beautifully. It was delightful seeing the little rain drops glistening on the spikes of the blackthorn and the beautiful copper coloured beech leaves against the dark trunks. We started off by going down the footpath near the park and crossed over the little hump backed bridge then left along the minor road that runs along the river. There is an awful lot of water about (as you would expect) and it wouldn't take much more rain for the river to come over. We didn't go a particularly long way but it was nice to be in the fresh air and we noticed the work that was being done on an ex-hotel presumably to extend it and visited our usual first snowdrop spotting site-the leaves ar starting to come through and one looked as if it would be out before long. We then retraced our steps and back to the cafe for some soup-delicious.

Day 4

Wednesday 4th Jan
Today I had to go to an appointment that I knew would take a big chunk of the day and so I decided to do my walk before breakfast. It was a dull, wet and windy morning and so I just did the same circular walk as yesterday. I must admit it felt a real effort today but I am glad that I did it :-) .

Day 3

Tuesday 3rd Jan
Well today has been another very soggy one. So today's walk was a circular one down a footpath, through the park then via a strategically placed play bridge in the deserted play area to avoid a too deep puddle then past the car park and through the churchyard and back to our favourite cafe for a lovely soup.The river and the beck are coming up with all the rain, the little waterfall next to the park was looking magnificent and we saw a beautiful little Coal Tit who looked to be in full breeding plumage already! A good walk :-)

Well, I've started

Monday 2nd Jan
That's the first two days done. The first little womble was very, very local as the weather was not so good but today had a lovely walk to Waterhead and back in the sunshine.I know I was out for a bit longer than an hour today but could only really  claim an hour as I forgot to notice the time that I started. Tomorrow I will try to be a bit more organised about the whole thing!

Thank you to my Sponsors

£23.10

Nick Flood

£14

Laura Robinson

£10

Jane James

Lovely thing to do, well done

£10.50

Charlotte Scott-barrett

Such a good cause. Good luck with the walking.

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Carole Webster

Well done Lesley- such a brilliant advice line & well done for walking in January when the weather is not great. Thanks

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Jenifer Worden

Keep going!

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Miss L Flood

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