As the clocks change on Sunday we know that the wild daffodils in the
Duddon Valley will be at their peak and the blue skies promise a good day. Set off for Whistling Green near
Ulpha and park the car walking over the bridge and turning left past the house on the corner and on past the scattering of other houses in this hamlet and our first spectacular view of banks of daffodils. I have never ever been able to take a picture of this that does it justice and Sunday is not exception. On we walk down the road until coming to what was the Bobbin Mill (above) which is now a house and holiday cottages but the chimney is still there. Opposite here is the gate to the woods first following the stream on our left but leading to the woods.
These are not the sort of wood you will get lost in as the path is wide and a popular walk for people in the area.
Two thirds of the way through the woods when a gate is reached, the daffodils disappear and the path today is very muddy because this part is still harvested for its crop and the tractors have been in however after this bare patch daffodils appear at the other end just before the hamlet. The path leads out on to the Corney Fell road. Turn right up this nice steep road which gets the breathing going.
Looking down to the stream below there a lots more daffodils.
Eventually we come to the cattle grid and walk some yards before turning right and over the bridge to head towards
Frith Hall (below). This was
originally a hunting lodge but later was a stopping point for travellers and smugglers. It is now in ruins and
partly used by the local farmer. I took the photograph, below, because I liked the triangular cloud formation,
that's Frith Hall on the right.
We are now on our return journey where I always look at this tree which was blown over in March 2005 when there was a great storm in the area with winds reaching 100 mph and half a
million trees were uprooted. Despite its roots only being attached at one end it
still manges to leaf.
We
eventually come back to Bobbin bridge and back to the car. A beautiful day with a rather cool north westerly wind but warm in the sheltered woods.
Boots off we head for the
Manor Arms in
Broughton in
Furness a "mini beer festival each day" and drink
Stringers Old School Porter (a local seasonal beer) and
Copper Dragon which always reminds us of a holiday we had in the
Ribble Valley where there was lots of it.
A young oak tree, low enough to photograph the male flowers clusters hanging down while the fewer female flowers are upright above the catkins. They depend on the wind for pollination so this week must have been excellent for them as it has been blowing heartily. We will expect lots of little acorns in the autumn.
As the clocks change on Sunday we know that the wild daffodils in the Duddon Valley will be at their peak and the blue skies promise a good day. Set off for Whistling Green near Ulpha and park the car walking over the bridge and turning left past the house on the corner and on past the scattering of other houses in this hamlet and our first spectacular view of banks of daffodils. I have never ever been able to take a picture of this that does it justice and Sunday is not exception. On we walk down the road until coming to what was the Bobbin Mill (above) which is now a house and holiday cottages but the chimney is still there. Opposite here is the gate to the woods first following the stream on our left but leading to the woods.
These are not the sort of wood you will get lost in as the path is wide and a popular walk for people in the area.
Two thirds of the way through the woods when a gate is reached, the daffodils disappear and the path today is very muddy because this part is still harvested for its crop and the tractors have been in however after this bare patch daffodils appear at the other end just before the hamlet. The path leads out on to the Corney Fell road. Turn right up this nice steep road which gets the breathing going. Looking down to the stream below there a lots more daffodils.
Eventually we come to the cattle grid and walk some yards before turning right and over the bridge to head towards Frith Hall (below). This was originally a hunting lodge but later was a stopping point for travellers and smugglers. It is now in ruins and partly used by the local farmer. I took the photograph, below, because I liked the triangular cloud formation, that's Frith Hall on the right.
We are now on our return journey where I always look at this tree which was blown over in March 2005 when there was a great storm in the area with winds reaching 100 mph and half a million trees were uprooted. Despite its roots only being attached at one end it still manges to leaf.
We eventually come back to Bobbin bridge and back to the car. A beautiful day with a rather cool north westerly wind but warm in the sheltered woods. 
"I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Today, in common with the rest of the week, after a overcast start a brilliant blue sky and bright sunlight lifted our spirits. Celebrated the first day of spring with a walk through Levens Park and the avenue of oaks, emerging at the end to head towards the old disused canal towpath and Hincaster Tunnel.
Reaching the other side of the tunnel the sound of traffic from the A590 reminded why this canal is no longer. Still we walked away from noise and down the the pathway where we caught a brief sight of a pair of large butterflies.
Heading now for Heversham Head a tempting seat was placed in memory of a couple who loved the view and what a view. The sun was warm, sheltered from the breeze we gazed on the Kent Estuary. The day was very hazy but could see the Kent as sun glinted on it as it snaked its way out to the sea. We stopped here for some time taking in the rays but eventually made our way to the top and looked at the monument. Here is one side of it and its lovely depiction of sheep
We set off down hill to Heversham busy with cars as parents collected their children from school. We walked through and up the road to the bridleway through an avenue of trees emerging from which we could see Leven Hall in the distance. Walking down hill we eventually came down to High Barns Farm and down to where we had started.
The day was still warm so headed for Milnthorpe where looking for tea, nothing doings, so bought a couple of cakes (yellow Easter chicks) from Greggs to take home but were tempted into a glass of Everards in the pub instead. The chicks were eaten later (they were a sort of biscuity marshmallow).
