"Don't you know that it's worth every treasure on earth to be young at heart"

After exchanging comments for several years with fellow outdoor bloggers I was pleased to accept Martin’s invitation to join his 12 mile walking-by-numbers plod round my own Arnside/Silverdale territory.

It was good to meet Alan Sloman and Alan Rayner, and all. Thanks for making me so welcome. In particular I was given much sound advice about my knees by a lady, whose name, I am sorry to say, I did not obtain, but whose career as a nurse, obviously vocational, cheerful, and optimistic, must have benefited many.

Having lived in the area for eleven years I thought I knew every footpath, but Martin’s route took me on several I had not walked before, and when put to the route finding test on a few occasions I was embarrassingly unable to help. Finding The Pepper Pot was like discovering Atlantis, you never really believed it was going to be there.

And here is the best part, (for the Young at Heart), for years I have enviously read about The Chocolate Brownies (that confection is a favourite of mine), and up till now first prize was held by Lucy’s on a Plate at Ambleside, but Martin’s have taken over, especially with the added value of sampling them whilst admiring the view across the Kent Estuary from Arnside Knott, which after eleven years I have never, ever taken for granted. Surprise surprise, brownies were served for a second time to celebrate locating The Pepper Pot.

My knee replacement recovery from last May has been a matter of very gradual improvement, and I have only been walking about 6 miles before it becomes stiff, uncomfortable and to some extent painful, and I had intended to shortcut  this walk halfway round, but the good company carried me along. Although the symptoms were apparent at the finish, recovery is now much more rapid, and I was out again the next day doing another six miles down the canal, so things are improving.

Once again thanks to all and especially Martin for an excellent, well organised, quality walk.

The start at Leighton Moss car park

Lambert's Meadow

CBs