Day 2
Apart from a noisy teen, I slept much better, and what a beautiful morning to wake up to. The sun was streaming through my window when I fastened one of my curtains back and I nipped downstairs to put the washing machine on. My plan had been to complete a Big Issue commission today, this had been agreed before this crisis, but as it involves a funeral director I totally agreed with her that this was not the time to write the story.
So… as far as I knew that was it work wise. I pegged the washing out and, having done my vocal exercises, FaceTimed Liz Hall. I restocked my bird feeder, and I planned a bird watching session. After pulling faces to 
entertain Liz’s daughter, professional photographer Liz offered to give me tips on setting the aperture and shutter speed on my camera to try to capture better photos. So most of my morning was spent watching the birdie (s) a blackbird, coal tit, blue tit and goldfinch; my daily robin visitor had been seen scoffing before I pegged out the washing and sadly didn’t reappear.
I felt better today, although I still also felt odd as my days usually revolve around work commitments and that also included some weekends when I can find myself doing ad hoc jobs so no work is strange.
On checking my emails, I discovered one had come in from Ian Barber, he is the Project Lead at Lancashire’s Armed Forces Covenant Hub where I produce a newsletter on how the funding is being spent across the county.
A few amendments to the latest publication, which is now being sent by email rather than as a hard copy, and tick – another job concluded. “Speak to you again once we get away from the dark side,” I quipped.
By 1.30pm I was going stir crazy and decided to take my daily exercise and headed out for a walk, I knew where I wanted to go, to Lee Quarry, so made sure that I took a bottle of water with me. It was such a beautiful day, how could I remain stuck inside my house? Boots on, bottle filled, camera ready – I was off!
I wasn’t alone in heading for the quarry and as I ascended Deansgreave Road there was a sporty looking young 
couple ahead of me and behind me a family with young children, at all times there was a large distance between us all. I decided to visit the cairns that can be seen standing proudly on the hilltop, although I had seen them before I had never been up close and they are amazing. Beautiful works of art. Never pass a cairn without adding to it and as there is a smaller one that is ‘under construction’ I added three stones, for my two sons and one for myself.
The last time I visited the quarry was with my former neighbour Steve and friends and it was freezing, misty, rainy, hailstones and then sunshine. Paths had become feeder streams for the large pools and gigantic new waterfalls cascaded into the ‘big dip’ Bacup’s Grand Canyon.
What a contrast today, the soggy paths are now dusty, the grass is worryingly tinder dry and the water in the bottom of the big dip is now separated into its separate pools. I spotted many birds, but as they also spotted me I never got a clear photo. There were loads of bees and butterflies, but they refused to settle long enough for me to photograph them. Although there were several people and mountain bike riders, all stayed a safe distance.
I want to add some frogspawn to my garden pond and was delighted to find the frogs had been busy in a small 
pool, the same one that last year I spotted spawn; frogs are creatures of habit. However, I only had my water bottle and I couldn’t sacrifice it. I hunted high and low for litter, and although I was delighted that in the quarry I couldn’t find any, it does mean I have to make a return trip. Back home after two hours and approx 4 to 5 miles and ouch I knew I had walked the distance, but I hope I have escaped a blister! The quarry is a lovely place to wander around with so much to see. How lucky are we to have this on our doorstep?
While we are in such uncertain times we all need to look after our mental health and what better way than to enjoy good weather in safety. A note of warning though – snow is threatened for Bacup on Sunday.
Thank you to Pat Smith from Bacup Pride for dropping off litter pickers… tomorrow’s walk will involve making good use of them.
Writing… it’s what I do…