Monday, 22 September 2014

Not an Epic but a Grand day out - Coniston Water, the Lake District


This is one of the first of what I hope is many Blog's from a few of Coastal Spirit's early and active clients.   Providing an insight to the depth and breath of what individuals are up to.  A core element of Coastal Spirit is enabling and facilitating individuals, to be able progress and move towards independence.   BIG thanks to Keith for this.  

The plan was to paddle the length of Coniston and back, I had done it a couple of years ago and Debs had decided that she wanted to do it. This would provide some time in a boat and a chance to paddle an area with splendid scenery and wildlife.

We set off from the car park at the northern corner of the lake reasoning that if the prevailing south westerly wind picked up in the afternoon it would be behind us. We paddled on a mirror smooth lake with the surface being  ruffled by the gentle morning breezes.

We stopped for a break and to rescue a shield bug Debs found floating in the lake but were soon rock hoping by the island which stars in the 1974 film of the Swallows and Amazons book by Arthur Ramsome, first published in 1930. It looks a little smaller in real life!

A short paddle took us to the end of the lake where we watched the dragon files in the reed beds and some of the bird life. We saw a small flock of goosander, great crested grebes, common sandpipers as well swallows and house martins preparing for migration to warmer places.

On our way back we made quick stop on the island to brew some tea. The gentle paddle back to the car gave us time to admire the view of the mountains in the late afternoon sunshine.

It’s a shame some Muppet didn’t take the camera!

By Keith Wilbraham

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