Pandemic Peregrinations: Stainbank Green, Kendal, Cumbria, Spring
Happy 75th Anniversary of VE Day, that is, “Victory In Europe” Day, when the Allies triumphed over the fascist Nazis. Never forget the sacrifice of those who fought to retain our freedoms and liberties over authoritarian fascists.
It’s a weird time to celebrate VE Day. The UK is still on Lockdown, and so people are still largely staying in their homes, except for Once Per Day Exercise and shopping for essential supplies. So celebrations, if any, are somewhat subdued.
Nevertheless, on our Government Permitted Outdoor Exercise session today, we did spot a few Union Jack flags around and a little bit of bunting.
We took the Brigsteer Road out west of Kendal today, rounded up and through Stainbank Green, and back through Kendal town, stopping briefly for a Socially Distanced takeaway flat white.
In other news
As of 9am on 8th May, 211,364 people in the UK have tested positive for COVID-19 from the Coronavirus. As of 5pm on 7th May, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, 31,241 have sadly died, the highest number of deaths in Europe, and a death rate of 14.78%.
May all those suffering find peace.
And I hope these photos help you to, too.
No British celebration is complete without bunting.
Superb gardening skills going on here.
Kendal has some gorgeous houses.
This is honeysuckle, or Lonicera periclymenum.
A sort of “portal” found in the wooded lanes of Stainbank Green.
Over the stile and out to Stainbank Green.
Google reckons this is Melastoma malabathricum, otherwise known as “Indian rhododendron”.
And Google thinks this is Solanum trilobatum, a herb usually cooked in the Indian subcontinent.
Nether Bridge in Kendal, probably Kendal’s prettiest bridge. Dates from the 17th century.
The view from Nether Bridge is pretty lovely too.
The current parched condition of the River Kent allows wonderful reflections.
The way to a decent flat white.
I can’t remember the last time I had a flat white…
Stramongate Bridge and its weir. Can never resist a shot of this view.
The meadows off the River Kent’s east bank near Mintsfeet has exploded in wild flowers.
A lovely horse enjoying the shade. I mean, it might have been. It was hard to tell, because the horse barely moved and almost seemed catatonic. It accepted nose stroking from Lisabet and I but eventually flinched from me, which alarmed me. So we left it alone and went back the way we came. I hope it’s OK.
My lovely Lisabet enjoying the wild flowers along the river bank.