Today was glorious. I deposited Richard at Furness General Hospital at about noon for his carpal tunnel operation and decided to go on an exploration of the local footpaths. I walked for about a mile along a road to the Golf Club and turned at the finger post down a track to a farm. I had to ask the farmer which way to go and he pointed across the fields. The first field had cows in and I was a bit wary. The second field had a piece fenced off and there were some delightful pigs who really wanted to be my friends. I wish I had taken pictures of them.
This first picture is looking back towards where I had seen the pigs.
At the top of the field was a stile and beyond was very overgrown.
I made my way along and eventually came to a gate that led across a field of wheat.
This track had been cut back a bit and was lovely. I could hear the birds in the bushes too.
Across the country lane and onwards.
Those lovely wild orchids that are in flower at the moment.
The path crossed over another road and led down towards the Ulverston to Barrow railway line.
This was an interesting metal gate. It was the equivalent of a revolving door.
I walked down a fair way and then along. The path then took a turn back up and I ended up emerging on to the road less than 25 yards from where the revolving gate was. I crossed the main Ulverston to Barrow road and took the turning which was signed "Abbey Approach". There was a beautifully manicured garden.
This is Furness Abbey and it came into view very quickly. It nestles in the valley bottom.
My daughter in law works here but it was her day off so I had to pay £4 to get in. Worth every penny. I seemed to be the only person visiting it today.
In one of the buildings there were lots of swallows all with nests. They were flying in and out through the window openings and door openings, screeching and chittering as they went. They flew within inches of my face. You can just see one of them perched in this post hole.
The Abbey dates back to before the 12th century and unfortunately is in need of huge repair just to keep it upright. I don't think this is 12th century scaffolding.
After I had eaten my sandwiches and been disturbed by a large group of school children I returned along the road to the lovely garden I had seen and spotted this Edelweiss. Another two weeks and we will be in the Alps, whoop, whoop!
I turned off the road along the railway path and through a tunnel. It was pretty small but there were mountain bike tracks going through.
At the end of the tunnel I was back into sunshine. This walk would have made a good off road run, but it's a bit far from home for me. I reckon I had walked about 5 miles.
It was nearly 2 o'clock and I had to be back at the hospital for 3 o'clock so headed back along the main road to see if the English Patient was ready to be taken home.
