Lancashire Lass

"And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils."  

William Wordsworth

It was a bitter sweet return to Lancashire, sweet because we had one last week to spend with Granma and Pops, bitter because in 7 short days we would leave for the Caribbean.  These trips to England are just long enough for my imagination see the life I could live there, but not long enough to get truly sick of all that rain.   The pull of the family seems to get ever stronger as the kids slide into the extended embrace of their relatives.

"A sort of national property in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy".  

William Wordsworth

The Lake District is one of the world's most beautiful natural arenas, it inspired poets such as William Wordsworth and authors like Beatrix Potter.  I grew up seeing incredible scenery, with peaks and valleys so picturesque it took your breath away.  As a kid, I didn't even notice I just saw the rain.  It has taken me 4 continents and several decades to appreciate the majestic grandeur of the lakes, forests and fells.  In 1951 the Lake District became the second largest National Park in the UK and within its borders lies England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike and the deepest Lake at Wasswater.  

“The place is changed now, and many familiar faces are gone, but the greatest change is myself. I was a child then…"

Beatrix Potter

Almost 10 years ago to the day, Dad and I took baby Jasmin in a backpack for a walk along the Langdale Valley.  Along the way we took some photos with the Langdale Pikes in the background.  Jasmin and Pops decided they would like to recreate the photos and so we found ourselves back in the countryside which is littered with peaks called, Crinkle Crags, Pavey Ark and Pike o'Stickle.  The word Pike and Stickle both mean steep rocky summit, needless to say we were never going to be able to persuade the kids to climb up anything close too steep or rocky.  So we parked the car at Dungeon Ghyll and took the flat valley walk which meanders along side of the river for most of the way.  Pops had cleverly brought with him the original photo and we managed to find the exact spot from a decade ago.  Pops looked the same and the scenery was almost identical, perhaps a smidgen more moss had grown on the dry stone wall.  The only evidence of the passage of time was Jasmin. From baby to young woman in just a few short years.

"I wander'd lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,"

William Wordsworth

Of course the reason there are so many lakes here is because there is so much rain.  I live in a coastal desert so I didn't complain when we were caught in the sweet soft rain, I knew to simply enjoy it. I closed my eyes and inhaled the perfume of the wet grass and glanced upwards to where the mist swirled around the peaks.  The opaque skies caused the greenery below to refract differently, making every verdant hue easy on the eye.

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." 

Anthony Brandt

Its easy to see how the poets were inspired by the beauty of their natural surrounds.  We were merely motivated to make it to the pub for lunch.  Our destination was "Wainwrights" an worthy establishment in the tiny village of Langdale.  It is the quintessential hikers haven with slate floors and wooden beams.  A cheery fireplace is a central point to dry off wellies and boots before ordering from the surprisingly sophisticated menu.  Best of all the beers were traditional hand pump ales and bitters, some were even brewed locally.   We were fat and lazy by the time we made our way back to the car.

"Cracking good job Gromit"

Wallace

Ahh England, my England the land of fish and chips and Brass Bands at summer fetes, good old fashioned seaside fun and double decker buses.  These nostalgic trips allow me to have moments where the culture is just part of me and I have an easy understanding of the order of things.  

“Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away.”

 Sir Thomas Beecham

 "coloring the world one smile at a time" 

Unknown

"What you lose on the swings you win on the roundabouts"
Unknown

"Love is a many splendored thing, Gromit, but it dosen't half tire you out!" Wallace and Gromit

"The best lesson we could learn from our grandparents is to cherish every moment we have with them."

Carin Weier

Leaving is always an emotional wrench and the only solace is the knowledge that for every good bye there will be another hello.  Of course good old Lancashire common sense helps to shake off the blues.  A hardy attitude forces a smile back on your face and makes you move purposefully forward. In true Lancs style I have to remember on my way out to "Put wood in thole" = Put the wood in the hole = put the door in the doorframe = close the door.