Tuesday 17 March 2020

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

53 comments:

  1. I think it's good to get away from it all, as much as we can, at the moment. The world seems to have gone mad and what lies ahead is uncertain, so it's nice to have our mind free of it all, if only for a little while. Those views are beautiful and it looks so peaceful. I think it can only be a matter of time now until they close the schools. Daniel and Jasmine have been asked to work from home, which is good as she's in a high risk group, Mick has been told to work from home as much as he's able to, but Eleanor, working in a hospital laboratory, will have to go in to work regardless.

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    1. The uncertainty is making people feel very apprehensive at the moment so it's important to maintain a sense of normality wherever we can. I have a feeling more schools may close here this week. Self isolation is causing staffing issues and high risk children are quite rightly staying at home anyway. Wishing you and your family well. X

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  2. It does feel odd at the moment, we're using walking to keep us sane too! Lovely photos x

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    1. I feel so very grateful to live in an area where this is possible. X

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  3. So happy to see you back here.
    I always look forward to your beautiful images and cozy words.
    Life is very uncertain here in Pennsylvania as well.
    We are home for the near future.
    I totally understand and support the decision, but it is hard not to be able to see my mother as she is in an assisted living facility and no visitors are allowed...for very good reason.
    I am calling her more often and filling her in on our days.
    Have a cozy afternoon!

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    1. Thank you, Billie Jo. With you being so close it will be hard for you not being able to see your mother. Being able to keep in touch with her by telephone must be a relief. X

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  4. Oh, what an incredible post! You are so talented, Jules. That setting takes my breath away. Chocolate is an extra special treat during times like these, isn't it?

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. We always take chocolate on our walks and eat it while enjoying the view. X

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  5. The world seems very surreal and strange at the moment doesn't it and I think it's important to hang on to the normality and beauty of life around us as best we can. Both Amy and Tom are off uni/school. Uni closed last week and school today. Of course Tom is loving it but then he doesn't have to track down the hefty amount of limited foods he munches his way through each week does he lol. Hope you all stay well. xx

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    1. I suspect it won't be long until our school closes. The Easter holiday is approaching anyway, so I won't be surprised if they bring the closure forward by a week. Either way we are taking it day by day and I'm checking my phone regularly just in case. I hear you with the limited foods. :) X

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  6. So glad to see people blog... Doing so, is especially good, at a time like this, I think.

    This is world wide. So we are all in this together. And we all have our own reactions, and ways of coping, and... Today I gave examples of Good things, happening in my city. People helping others. Even while following guidelines.

    From what you said, school is still being held in Scotland. Here, everything is shut down. Desperately trying to stop the progress of contagion. Everything, but grocery stores and pharmacies.

    From your always lovely photos, you seem to be out in the countryside, and not in a city, so you have that, for protection.

    Lots of hugs and love, to you and to yours...

    Stay wise, clam, safe.
    πŸƒπŸŒ·πŸŒ±πŸŒ·πŸƒ

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    1. Thank you, WoW. I intend to have a good blog catch up today, so I will be over for a read later.
      School is open for the moment but provisions have been put in place should they need to close, and I'm grateful to live in an area where I am still able to enjoy the outdoors. X

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  7. I too woke up at 5.30 today, not sure why, and I ended up having coffee much earlier than normal as well :)

    Your pictures do lift the spirits, and I am hoping to get out for a walk tomorrow or Wednesday, if the rain/wind ever ceases.

    Your words perfectly sum up the current unease and concerns which I think we all feel. Thinking of you both. xx

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    1. Sometimes I enjoy that early start to the day. Everything is so quiet then. I think Mog just decides that if she's awake then so should I be, if only just to keep her company. X

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  8. Thank you for taking us on your walk with you, Jules! I enjoyed the scenery! Hope things are well with you and Lily and continue to be so. Take care.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Bless. I will be over for a catch up later. X

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  9. Daffodils! Wonderful. The penultimate picture is stunning. I haven't had a hot chocolate for decades. You've made me suddenly think of my childhood.

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    1. Thank you, Graham. The hot chocolate was delicious. Not too sweet :)

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  10. With your wonderful photos I almost felt I was there with you. What a stunning part of the country. Schools are closed here for three weeks (and possibly longer) and also most activities but we can still get out for a hike on a nice day.

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    1. I'm relieved that I am still able to get outdoors and enjoy the countryside. I think I will be doing much more walking in the coming weeks. X

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  11. I think we all should take time to recharge once in a while.

    Take care Jules.

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    1. I think so too, Nil, and probably more often than I actually manage. X

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  12. It's still very chilly here just now and I think we are forecast some colder weather for the next week. Stay cosy. X

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  13. Lovely to see a post from you Jules :) Great photos, I love the first one and the daffodils - I think daffodils are such 'happy' flowers, they always make me smile. I've done the 'slipper throwing at the cat' thing myself in previous years :)

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    1. Thank you, Eunice, and I'll be sure to catch up with you later. I always think of daffodils as 'happy' flowers too. I have some on the mantel just beginning to open up. 5.30a.m. seems to be Mog's new time to wake in a morning (I think it coincides with the dawn chorus), so I expect I'll be throwing slippers more often. X

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  14. It's a good job they cannot ration fresh air isn't it. I do hope all your worries resolve themselves soon. Take care, Jackie.xx

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    1. Thank you, Jackie. You can't beat a good dose of fresh air can you? X

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  15. I can identify to your 5.30am start so much, that often happens here with a fluffy bed sharing kitty.

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    1. She doesn't even share my bed, Julie! She just chooses to come and wake me up :) X

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  16. Lovely to see your photos of Ullswater. We were due to holiday there this Easter but like many our plans have to change. Hopefully we will get there soon. B x

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    1. That must have been disappointing for you but, hopefully, once we're over the worst, you will be able to rearrange your visit. X

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  17. Looks a lovely stretch of the lake. Love those stone steps to the shore and of course the bonnie daffodils. X

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    1. I've never walked that stretch before so it was lovely to see the lake from the shoreline instead of the road. X

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  18. This reminds me that there is so much right in our world still. And this present day crisis and constant gloom and doom, will pass. But this beauty will remain. This is a lovely walk about. You must tell me more about the garlic (wild). We have it here in the US. I live in Ohio. It is considered an invasive in our park system. It's one of the rare things which you can pull from the park. I wonder if the wild garlic you have is the same which we have here? TakeCare, stay well.

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    1. That's just how I felt whilst out walking. In this uncertain world some things remain a constant.
      If you look under the labels on the side bar there will be some posts about wild garlic.
      Stay well my friend. X

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  19. My latest post....

    Gentle hugs,
    Stay safe,
    🌱 🌷 🌱

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  20. Such a lovely walk. Ullswater is my favourite lake, we spend a lot of time there. My husband lived in the a boat house on the shore for six months such an amazing place to live. Spending time outdoors is a good way to ensure some constancy in our lives right now.

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    1. It's beautiful isn't it, and so peaceful there. It must have been wonderful to live at the boathouse. The views from there must be stunning. X

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  21. Well this may be a duplicate. Something happened and poof my comment was gone. You can use plain old APF for that bread recipe if you can find it. No bread flour necessary. I hope you view the link I provided. Kate lives in Northumberland?. I found her quite accidentally, and I've been hooked. there are lots of videos. I think the first one I ever watched was about her beekeeping. An interest, I don't have bees. But would if I could. She is at least for me, quite interesting to view. I look forward to my visit with her everyday, especially now with everything topsy turvy. Stay well.

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    1. Thank you, Faith. I'm low on all flour so I'm not going to chance using it up at the moment. Bread is readily available, however, so I will just be grateful for that right now. X

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  22. Sorry Jules, I missed this post.
    Hope you and yours are keeping well and you're prepared for a few months of home schooling.
    The Ullswater Way made me very nostalgic, I remember staying there in 1977 - I was obsessed with Blondie at the time and most upset about being away from Radio One and dragged up and down hills but I absolutely loved it and enjoyed our annual half term trips to The Lakes for years to come. xxx

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    1. Day one of home schooling has gone well, thank you Vix. At the moment I have a very willing pupil but I'm not sure how long that will last :) X

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  23. I'm glad you shared your photos. Not only are they glorious as usual, but it feels like I've had a virtual walk out in the fresh air. I needed that.

    Thank you for your comment today Jules. Just know that you are so appreciated, you and all your colleagues. and so many others.

    Stay safe. xx

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sadie, it seems ages ago now. So much has changed in just a short time.
      For this week, at least, I am no longer required to work, although that could change if staffing levels fall. I'm thinking of and appreciating everyone who is, however. X

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  24. That is a beautiful walk, thanks for sharing, I enjoyed seeing your photos :)

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    1. Thank you, Louise. I really enjoyed it, although I expect it's even more beautiful on a bright sunny day. X

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  25. Earlier this year we were planning on visiting the Lake District in May … alas plans have been changed or should I say cancelled in these rather strange times we currently live in.
    It was a joy to see your photographs today, such a wonderful walk from the comfort of my armchair.
    Thank you.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Although it's for the greater good it must still be disappointing to miss out on your visit. I hope it will be something to look forward to once we finally get through this. Stay well. X

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