At the start of Lockdown I vowed to walk every day. I think I had a morbid fear of turning into a lump of jelly.
Somewhere around day fourteen for a reason I can't remember one day I omitted to walk specifically. It was only after I realised I could be on target for beating my previous "record" of 77 days continuous walking when I plodded from Land's End to John 'oGroats in 2008 - no rest days. So I was niggled at missing that one day, but no matter, says he defensively, it is only a detail, so as you see above I will hopefully go beyond the 77 days within the next few days.
Going back several years I walked more locally when I had my springer, Barney and then my daughter's springer Jake. Since their departure I neglected those areas but since Lockdown I have combed them again finding many previously undiscovered paths and many newly formed, but now I seem to have more or less exhausted them . With the advent of relaxed mobility I have been driving a little bit further to do the same thing in areas slightly further away.
I visited Scout Hill during my OS sheet 97 trig point campaign on 5th November 2003. It was not a bright day and I retained a memory of something mundane.
Today the approach on medieval lanes leading up to open fellside was all delight. The views to Farleton Fell, Arnside Knott and the Kent estuary out to Morecambe Bay were stupendous. There were curlews wheeling about and a huge gathering of one of the corvid species making a raucous racket. I wouldn't have gained much by re-visiting the summit although I have now noticed a little tarn marked on the map just below that could be worth another trip.
The path below the summit had extensive skyline views of the Lake District hills to the north with particular clarity today and the Barbon Hills and Crag Hill ahead to the east.
A minor road followed. When I needed to branch off onto a footpath the field was full of cowboy cows - those with long only slightly curved horns and they were already eyeing me up for what purpose I was not prepared to find out. I walked further up the road to gain access to the next field. and was then locked into a field system with no exits for my direction which was guarded by an unusually high barbed-wire fence. Eventually I found a scoop of earth below the bottom wire of the fence that had been blocked by planks of wood. I removed camera, wallet and iPhone from my pockets, moved the planks and did a sort of ground based limbo on my back underneath the wire and after replacing the planks more effectively than how they were found I felt pretty proud of my problem solving - there is always a way!
I gained my proper path to finish the walk with a different version of the splendid view across the bay. I am so fortunate to live in this area with almost endless variations of such rewarding walks. My son W. deduced that the fence incident was something that I had masochistically revelled in and perhaps there was some truth in that?
CLICK FIRST PHOTO TO ENLARGE
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| Old lanes leading up into the hills |
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| Some kind of seagull, and below... |
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| ...considering the original was a zoom the enlargement here must be colossal. Further down you will see my other attempt for an entry to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. Beating the Bounds watch out - a rival is looming. |
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| End of Farleton Fell left and Arnside Knott right - my house nestles beneath somewhere |
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| Tarnhouse Tarn - private fishing |
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| I'm not sure whether to submit the seagull above or this great tit for Photographer of the Year |
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| Looking back at my escape from Stalag Luft Field after replacing the planks |
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| Farleton Fell |
You do have some interesting walks in your area Conrad and novel ways of dealing with fences which bar your progress!
ReplyDeleteI knew you were a previous limbo dance champion.
ReplyDeleteScout Hill is a new one for me.
I can't quite work out your maths in the first paragraph. If you missed walking on day 14 that means you have walked 60days in a row since then?
afoot - I have had some good experience with fence conquering in your part of the world where they come a bit higher than I find around here.
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BC - I was sort of turning a blind eye to that missed day, but I am fairly confident I can keep going for another eighteen days and even if I can't remember the specific date of the missed day I would then at least have set a new and superior record in my subjective judgement by walking continually for 92 days with only one rest day.
BC - I have done my sums starting from 23rd. March which was the first day of English lockdown when I know I resolved to walk every day, but looking back I had been daily walking for some time before that but can't be sure of every day.
ReplyDeleteAnother great walk with fantastic views. Although I live in a leafy area of South Manchester, with nearby extensive nature reserves, I confess I’m going stir crazy. So, I’m enjoying these virtual walks with you.
ReplyDeleteRuth - I hope I can keep them coming - if nothing else for another eighteen days as mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteSubmit the Great Tit, Conrad. The focus is better.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! You may need it!
Phreerunner. decisions decisions.
ReplyDelete(I found out I had the camera set on Macro Zoom.)
I meant to say in my original comment, distracted by days and birds, that the black metal gate is a waterboard one on the line of the Thirlmere Aqueduct, so it must pass through that area on its way to Manchester. Just out of interest.
ReplyDeleteBC - That is interesting. I seem to remember you doing the walk. I will do a bit of research. I do intend to go back up there to view the little tarn below the summit of Scout Hill.
ReplyDeleteI've been up there just the once, but ended up walking in a big loop to circle round a herd of cows which included a bull. I don't understand why it's not access land.
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