Life During Lockdown

From Nick Harmer:

"Last week, we walked the lane from Torver accompanied by the birdsong of Willow Warblers, as ‘scratching’ Whinchats sang from gorse. Cuckoos added their input to the ‘Country Chorus’, and to complete the scene, Buzzards were displaying.

The damp woods were still full of bluebells, primroses, garlic and sweet smelling hawthorn blossom.

Up and over the Knott, we walked through the green lanes past Woodland Church.

Further along we turned up the path towards High Kep, skirting the buildings at Spunham and Green Moor, to drop down to the streams at ‘Bloomeries Corner’. A strange ‘tapping’ seemed to come from the wood itself, but by standing quietly, we watched a Greater Spotted Woodpecker search the streamside trees.

The streams, usually running freely, had totally dried up, quite something for the western lakes.

Prior to our return leg over Knott, we looked at the chassis of an old agricultural implement’

(maybe now over 100 years old). It still carried the nameplate ‘Bamfords of Uttoxeter’. This company subsequently grew to develop the JCB digger, and are now working on industrial electrolyser plants to produce hydrogen, to power the fuel cells in town buses. (Quite a 100 year journey!).

Once back over the Knott, we walked the lanes back to Torver, with cuckoos again calling from all directions."

From Mike Moorby:

"My daily exercise is generally taking the dog on a walk. Occasionally I cycle round Walney or make a trip to the slag bank. I am also practicing Tai Chi each day.

Playing Fortnite with the grandchildren is great fun. I'm doing shopping for my daughter and mother-in-law.

I went on the Coniston fells just before lockdown and on Brim fell there was about six scrambler bikers causing issues for walkers. I reported the incident to the police but I've heard nothing.

My first walk when we can, will be Black Coombe because I've looked at it longingly for the last seven weeks!

Hope everyone is safe and well."

From Pat Pudsey:

"This fantastic weather is helping at this difficult time. The picture is from a socially distanced walk from home, over Kirkby Moor and on to Burney Fell, on 31st May."