Go With the Flow

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When I made the transition into retirement I was captivated by the knowledge that I could plan excursions to avoid peak traffic, bad weather or whatever else might intervene to impede my journey. Presumably it is now a sign of maturity that, almost ten years on, I am simply ready to accept and go with the flow. It's not that I actively seek to join a queue of traffic but I'm probably not quite so diligent in my avoidance planning.


Take mid-week for example when Mister E and I squeezed in a cheeky two nights away in a country house hotel on Lake Ullswater. Of course I knew Appleby Horse Fair was in the offing but no, I didn't think to check the exact dates. The net effect of that was, of course, that we crossed the Pennines on the A66 amidst a wave of horses and ponies tugging carts and caravans. One horse, in particular was struggling to trot in a straight line, regularly crossing the white lines down the middle of the road, causing mayhem and delay on both sides of the carriageway as we moved sedately along in the line behind it. Did we care? No. Were we frustrated? No.

 


It is many years since we last visited Ullswater, our natural destination these days in the Lake District being Langdale with its higher fells. Of course, many describe Ullswater as the most beautiful of all the large lakes and it did not disappoint. 

Six weeks away from our own home, we are missing waking up to green fields and the tranquility of the countryside. By the lake, we were once again enveloped in nature. Birds and wildflowers were abundant and the sights, sounds and smells of the surroundings provided a full sensory experience.  Immerse your exterior in the natural world and feel immediately better within. That may, of course, be the theory behind the hotel's offering of wild swimming, including by moonlight but, well-being levels replenished by the views, we had no temptation to choose that option!  

It was only three days, but we both feel uplifted as a result and prepared once again for suburban living. Mind in our brief absence a pied wagtail appears to have adopted our small lawn as a canteen from which to feed its young, providing us with personalised entertainment from the natural world despite our residential surroundings.

 


Comments

Treaders said…
It's been years and years since I went to the Lake District but isn't it lovely! And I'm with you on traffic not bothering me much these days - but I can feel the tension in those who are still working and need to get somewhere quickly because ....! That's probably the biggest thing I don't miss!
9 June 2024 at 10:27
Caree Risover said…
I always forget how green the Lake District is, helped by all the rain of course! I know what you mean by tension too; it was emanating from any number of vehicles- the ones that sped off immediately we passed Appleby.
9 June 2024 at 11:35
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