In Search of the Bluebells

When we decided to make a trip back to the Lake District, my first thoughts with all the sunny weather we'd been having was 'Oh great I'll be able to see the bluebells - fantastic!' We earmarked a sunny day to go and find them and decided on Muncaster Castle, where I know there is usually a fabulous display in the woodlands. 

I happened to check the website the evening before for the opening times and found out that the BBC were filming 'Flog It' there that day - we decided not to go there, as there would be crowds of people descending and I didn't fancy crowds and traffic jams when it was so lovely and sunny.  

Instead I decided on Rannadale as I'd never seen the bluebells there, although we'd visited Crummock Water and Buttermere on many occasions, we'd never been in late April or May. I'd remembered seeing some stunning pictures of it in a magazine last year - a stunning display of bluebells on an unusual site on the edge of a mountain fell with the stunning backdrop of Crummock Water. 

We checked out a map and found a circular walk of a few miles, which started in Buttermere village and took you up over the fells to them, then back by the lake to Buttermere. It stated there were stunning views along the way, so it all sounded perfect. 

The day was beautiful, our drive to Buttermere was amazing - we passed Windermere, Rydal Water, Grassmere, Thirlmere and Bassenthwaite lakes. It was only once we got there that I realised we hadn't brought the map. We decided it couldn't be that difficult to find and knew the way to Crummock Water and double checked in the village we were heading in the right direction. It felt safe enough to do without the map  - the day was clear and sunny and there wasn't much chance of bad weather setting in and with the stunning scenery it didn't really matter if we couldn't find them anyway.

We passed woodland - no sign of any bluebells there - and got to the hillside at Crummock Water and started heading up the pathway and hillside. I was beginning to get hot in the sunshine, but we had plenty of water with us. It was lunch time by now and Rob said we should stop for our picnic - I wanted to keep going a bit longer though as I felt we'd only just arrived. Onwards we went, we knew we were in the right vicinity, but there were still no signs of bluebells - only the Herdwick sheep so far and a few public footpath signs! 

We climbed the fell side higher and higher following the path, perhaps they were in the next vale over the hillside? Eventually it was time for a rest - we found a grassy headland with beautiful views of both Crummock Water and Buttermere - there probably isn't a more idyllic place to sit and have your lunch! 

With only two ways to go - climb higher or scuttle down a rocky pathway back to the road - it seemed the only way was to go up and see what the view was over the next hill - would the bluebells be there? Off we went, me now straggling behind and Rob leading the way. Where were they? Still nowhere in sight. Back down the path and we tried yet another hill. Hot and bothered by now I have to sit on a rock and have a long drink. 

Two hikers pass by, struggling away up the hill, 'You don't realise how out of condition you are until you do something like this,' puffs away one of the ladies. I smile to myself, but just agree, 'Yes, I've given up for now!' 'If she knew what 'condition' I'm in she'd have a fit!' I think quietly to myself. 

We know these bluebells are so near, but don't know which hill or pathway to go up or down next, so we grudgingly admit defeat and head back towards Buttermere ... we've walked miles by this time and most of it up the fells ... it is all down hill now, but I'm flagging and overheating. I've done too much and we have to stop in a shady glade out of the heat of the day while I try and cool. 

We make it back to the road, we hear a helicopter in the distance and then sirens. Two mountain rescue vans come flying down the road towards Buttermere. There must be someone in trouble.  I'm flagging now, but still a mile to go. I'm wondering if I'm being foolish and Rob suggests he carries on and brings the car, but I decide to keep on going. 

 I'm disappointed we didn't find the bluebells, but I cannot complain the journey was wasted, as the views have been amazing and totally breathtaking. I've also managed to achieve something I never could have done before my heart and double lung transplant - walking miles and mostly up hill. It was a challenge, but I did it thanks to my wonderful donor.

We arrive safely back in Buttermere and there is a lovely cafe where walkers and visitors can get refreshments. We enjoy a very welcome cup of tea sitting outside, relaxing and enjoying the late afternoon. I'm relieved I'm back all in one piece and taking a little comfort in the fact there is an ambulance sitting only a few hundred metres away waiting to see if they're needed for the emergency happenning on the fells above Buttermere. 

Refreshed and now revived, we set off on our drive back, we head along the road past Crummock Water and spot a National Trust sign for Rannadale. The path looks flat and I decide I'm up for another short walk to see if the bluebells are in sight - I know it has to be a dawdle type walk and strictly no hills - we wander on...

Then we come upon a sign, 'The bluebells are an historic feature of Rannadale. Please leave for others to enjoy, avoid trampling or picking the blooms.' Haha! At long last!' I shout in delight. But where are they? I remember we are in the north of the country and the north of the Lake District and on the fells too, where the weather is harsh ... the bluebells are there, but you have to look hard. Their foliage is aplenty, but the blooms have yet to come. There are a few sparse blooms scattered about. 

I try and visualise it as I dreamed off - a blue sea vista, sandwiched between the blue of the lake and the starkness of the mountains and fells and sky. 

Two weeks more and they will be splendid... but I will be back in the South by then and still searching! 

Click on the link for the walk we should have followed and to see the bluebells! We did more or less do it and would have seen them looking down from the hill where we had our picnic if they had have been out in full!

Rannadale Bluebells

Sea Mist, Smog and Spring at Felbrigg Hall

After our lovely day out at Titchwell Marsh Bird Reserve in Norfolk, on our way home the next day we went on to a National Trust place called Felbrigg Hall near Cromer. Rob and I have been members of the National Trust since we were in our twenties because we both love a bit of history, old buildings and houses, interesting gardens and nature. 

It was a very misty morning as we drove down there and the locals at the pub had told us it was a sea mist that had come in and would take a while to clear. When we arrived the sun was trying to burn through a little and we managed to enjoy lunch sitting outside in the courtyard. 

The dove house is spectacular! 

There were lots of spring flowers out, everything has started to burst into colour now we have had some warm, sunny weather. The magnolias were out in full. 

There is always a good chance to get practising with the camera in these beautiful places, something else we really enjoy. 

I loved this chicken house in the orchard garden  - very trendy chickens here at Felbrigg! 

There were plenty of houses for the bees too! 

Very exotic looking plants!

The sun didn't last for very long and we were soon enveloped back in the mist and after such a warm day the day before, it felt bitter cold. We weren't sure anymore whether it was sea mist or the much talked about smog that was on the news that had arrived. 

Delicate bluebells in flower.

There were lots of chucks roaming freely - I loved this one! 

More exotic plants making a spectacular show in the walled gardens. 

We had been lucky to avoid the smog the day before, we hadn't even been aware of it until we saw the news as we had fortunately been in the smallest tip of north Norfolk that had missed it entirely. 

The smog that had descended over the UK was a bit of a freak weather condition and was caused by the area of high pressure over the UK mixing with dust and sand blown over from the Sahara with our own pollution and that blown over from Europe. 

On the TV the experts we warning that people with heart and lung conditions were at high risk and people were being advised to stay indoors and do minimum excercise. A lot of my friends with PH, heart conditions and transplants were really suffering. 

I had a lucky escape on the worst day of it as we just happened to go away from home. Although I have a new heart and lungs that are working well, transplanted lungs are very vulnerable to pollution, which can cause infection as dust and fungi are inhaled. If infection sets in then this can cause the onset of unrepairable damage to my new lungs and the start of chronic rejection. 

I must admit I try and guard my new lungs like they are the crown jewels, they are just the most precious things to me, so I was relieved we had been away. As we drove on from Felbrigg Hall towards home, we encountered more lovely sunshine and then as we got further across Norfolk the smog descended and it was really bad. Once home it was a bit better, but still very overcast and evident. I stayed indoors the next day, just to be on the safe side. 

It has all gone now thank goodness and I think many of us are 'breathing' a sigh of relief!