Friday/Saturday!

Well Friday was a typical Lake District day dull and drizzly so we went into Bowness took a short walk to Windermere for lunch, if you are ever in Windermere look out for Charlies Cafe freindly service and good food. After lunch we walked back to Boness did some shopping for my future grandchild,  due in the next few days, then went back to the car.

Saturday was another grey day but dryer than yesterday to start with.
So off to Kirkby Lonsdaly for a walk.

Looking into town from the church

Georgian folly now in the church yard

Ruskin described this as the best view in England therefore the world 

Fence eating tree

The following photo shows a Church Brow Cottage which was originally built as a summer house and is now available as a one bed holiday cottage looking out across the Lune Valley

Devils Bridge

Stanley Bridge built in the 1930's to replace Devils Bridge

After the walk we had fish and chips for lunch in Jingle Lane Chippy then retired to The Ruskin Brewery for liquid refreshment!

Thursday

Waking to a bright sunny day we set of to Sedbergh for a gentle walk along the river, as we set off we came across this indication that spring is with us

We entered a small woodland and and came across what at first seemed to be  a folly

Trying to find the footpath we found it went through this odd cutting barely three feet wide odd!

Searching through the woods for the path we came across some lovely views 

interesting trees

and snow drops

Leaving the wood we found some new planting and this sign

and great views of the Howgills

Out on this hillside was this strange structure 

Alice at the 'Pepperpot' and Chris at the information board

The information board gives you some information about the building and former estate

That explains the ruins in the wood!

A couple of shots of inside the 'Pepperpot'

The 'Pepperpot' from the other side of the river

Wednesday

Wednesday started with a walk to Kendal with Sam and Alice to meet Julie for brunch, then a walk round to town to do some shopping only Alice was successful in this quest!
In the afternoon we went out with Chris parking near Helsington Church 

we took in the fantastic views across the Lyth valley before setting off walking along the ridge.

Part way along the ridge the views to the east opens up revealing Sizergh Castle and the Kent valley with some majestically striding wind turbines.

From here we dropped down through some woodland with shades of Wordsworth 

till we came to Park End Moss a newly formed wetland opened by The National Trust in December 2014 including a hide built from timbers harvested from the woodlands on the Sizergh Estate.

We took a break at the hide spending time in a little bird watching which I found interesting, a large flock of Curlew about 60 in all and 40 odd Widgeon plus of course Coot, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Crows and a lone Marsh Harrier. Setting off again it was a long slog back up the hill to the car but nice views down to the moss and a pair of Raven broke to journey.

 Back at Helsington a quick look round the Church showed that spring had reached the grave yard as well.