Field of flowers

During a detour from a local walk, we came across this field littered with the prettiest blue flowers. We later found out these were linseed flowers, planted by the farmer to harvest the oil.

We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to let Brooke get her feet down and explore.

Lockdown

It’s been a strange few months. Like most people, we’ve been focusing on remaining positive and staying safe. For all of the hardship lockdown has brought, there are also reasons to smile. Often tough situations bring clear perspective.

For us, time together as a family has been invaluable. We’ve had the chance to explore our local walks even further. Finding less trodden paths, hidden fields and stopping to enjoy the solitude and peacefulness they bring. Brooke started walking recently - how often is it that both parents would be there to see it? Some really important things are very often missed because of how ‘busy’ we are.

We are too ‘busy’ to stop, notice and take stock of what is important.

What matters.

What brings us joy and happiness.

It’s made us realise what is important again. Taking the time to catch up properly, chat to neighbours, saying good morning. All of these simple things we did before, perhaps more out of courtesy, but we’ve found true value and enjoyment in them.

We appreciate there are people less fortunate than us. We value the efforts of key workers; keeping us safe and well - especially with a young daughter. We think about the people who have been affected by or lost someone to this pandemic.

We’re hoping this can be a catalyst for change. We’d like to see more modern, open minded, forward thinking ways of working. Stronger communities and more togetherness. We’d like the simple things to be the more important things and for us to be, y’know, less ‘busy’.

Long Mynd

The Long Mynd is a place we have kept going back to. There is so much to explore. We usually start at Carding Mill Valley or Church Stretton but always with breakfast. A full English to fuel your way to the top seems essential.

There are plenty of well trodden, dusty, rocky paths to choose from. Some with a gradual, steady hike. Others with a scramble up sheer rock face. More where your feet will get a little wet and occasionally muddy. Sheep are dotted along the hills - some much closer than others. Water trickles down whichever route you take; the sound puts your mind at ease. You can decide whether to have a little splash or avoid it altogether.

Once on top the landscape changes. A blanket of heathers shake in the wind as it sweeps across the ground. It’s much flatter. Horses roam free. On a clear day you can see for miles. You are open to the elements but it makes for a refreshing experience in contrast to the effort of getting up there.

You could easily keep going and plan bigger walks from here, exploring the Shropshire Hills. Eventually you will want to go down and enjoy a coffee or an ice cream - depending on the weather!

Loughrigg Fell

Our mission on this one - to climb Brookes first fell. Loughrigg was the chosen destination. We had our route planned but not before coffee and pastries. We stocked up on sausage rolls then carried on.

We followed the road out of Grasmere town and toward the lake, meandering off into the woodland. It was bright but the shade from the trees and the rain from the night before made for a sunken landscape. The ground was soft. The light misty. We walked up and down, eventually joining the side of the lake. The boundaries are soft and blurred. The woodland merges into the water. There’s no obvious change. This is something we love about the Lake District. It feels natural and unchanged.

We skirted around the lake before splitting off to start making our way up Loughrigg itself. The dry, dusty path was well trodden and easy enough to follow. We gradually weaved upwards, overcoming a few steeper bits and sharing the baby carrying! Closer to the top it became rolling hills with soft, wet grass under foot. The wind was howling across us.

We found the top and a sheltered place to re fuel. The wind was still strong so we stayed just long enough to take in the views before heading down the other side. We splashed through sodden ground and brushed between the grass, stopping only to admire a water filled cave. We were out of the wind now so it was a straight shot to the lake and back the way we came.

Badge earned!

Easedale Tarn

One of our last days in the Lake District. We’d become besotted with Lucias in Grasmere. It was a dead cert to get our caffeine fix before heading out. Another cinnamon bun? Easy decision. Sausage roll for the road? Good choice.

We went on from there, crossing sodden bridges and cobbled paths. Stones so big you jump from one to the next. It was wet, but warm and crisp. Skeletons of trees overhang the path as you wind up the hill. There are great views in all directions. The air filling your lungs is pure.

As we got higher we heard the water more. Small streams flowing over and around the rocks to join the rest below. We found time to play near a waterfall before deciding it was too wet to carry on. We have Brooke to consider now, but to be honest - we were quite happy to head back.

The early descent left us enough time to visit a pub tucked away in the hill. Cosy. Warm. Dry. One of our best pints ever.

Mortimers Forest

Mortimers Forest is always worth the journey. Even on a damp, moody day. It adds to the atmosphere.

Winding roads with sky reaching trees either side guided us to the foothills. It was muddy under foot, but no match for our well travelled boots and all terrain pushchair.

The Forestry Commission do a great job of sustaining this site. Enough to enjoy it but not too much. It still feels real and rugged. 

The climb was steep in parts. Our eyes were drawn down misty corridors of trees and to dew drenched plants. 

The top was peaceful. We let the wind brush across us whilst we took in the views. Then we headed down, often chasing Willow as she leapt ahead. She's not a fan of getting wet. 

We took the time to grab a coffee on the way back. Then home. Fire on. Feet up.