I have a mile or so of road walking to do until I reach my car which I do under a hot afternoon sun. The roads aren't too busy and I'm able to walk beside the kerb where I can reflect on the highs of my return to fell walking which most definitely had to be the yomp over Smithills Moor while being accompanied by a cool breeze, the wind blowing through the wild grasses and the sound of lapwings. It's been a sudden jump when on my last fell walk I was recording a -3 windchill and winds in excess of 50mph while today I'm mopping a gooey layer from my lips.
The feeling of missing the transition between Winter and Spring is real and one where the Lakeland fells enjoyed unbroken days of sunshine whilst we stayed in our homes in lockdown enjoying what we could under the circumstances, some of us lost loved ones and some stayed safe. I will be the first to say that lock-down wasn't easy, I too lost friends and family but as today demonstrated, the fells will always be there for us in our hour of need no matter the county. |