Pokémon Go - Level 39

In case you don't know Pokémon Go is a smartphone game that enables you to hunt down Pokémon in the real world and take part in virtual battles. Pokémon began as a video game on Game Boys in 1995. Since then trading cads, cartoons and films have made it the highest grossing media franchise of all time. It has been a while since I blogged about one of our Pokémon Go walks or raids. My son had lost interest over the last few years so I hadn't played quite so much. However, lockdown and daily walks got him back in and I have finally hit the 2nd highest level:

I started playing 3 years ago and it is amazing how far I have walked and places I have been to in that time:

The motto of the game is gotta catch 'em all and I have been doing my best to fill up my Pokédex. New regions get released which match up with the video games and cartoon series. I have also been making my Pokémon as powerful as possible to do better in battle and raids:

Derby Arms, Witherslack

Going to the pub since lockdown eased has not been at the top of my priority list as they seem to be places that potentially cause outbreaks. Also I didn't go to the pub much before lockdown! However, as we had parked next to The Derby Arms for our walk to Halecat House, it was the obvious choice for a late lunch.

It was very reassuring to see all the COVID-19 safety procedures with a one way system into the pub and hand cleaning as you came in:

One person had to register our group for track and trace. There was only table service able, only max 2 households at a table, and the menu was on the wall and not as one you held. We were verbally told the sandwich options:

All over the floor there were markers to show the one way system and lines to keep everyone socially distanced. Luckily for Sherlock the rules don't apply to dogs and he made a new friend:

Number challenge week 3

I have to say that the Number challenge is getting harder now we are in more unusual numbers! In week 1 and week 2 I made much more progress... Any way here are the 8 numbers I captured whilst out and about in week 3:

• 25 - the % nationally of A grade or better at A level in 2019 on a banner at Queen Katherine School
• 26 - the date in March we should have been able to watch Kendal Gilbert & Sullivan Society
• 27 - one of the sculptures at Halecat House
• 28 - a date on a calendar at the soon to be relocated La Pekora Nera Italian restaurant

• 29 - an update to a shop's COVID-19 opening
• 30 - the distance to Keswick from Kendal
• 31 - a map of architect George Webster's buildings with Colin Croft, Beast Banks
• 32 - a map of Kendal's streets showing Yard 32

Hope other folks are playing along?

Reasons to be cheerful: family time #r2bc

I will be the first to admit that this hasn't been the easiest of weeks. It is at times like this that it is so important to find things that have made you smile. I look forward to seeing what that has been for you. For anyone new to the linky we have a few relaxed instructions: 

What do you have to do? Easy: 

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy 

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to 

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too? 

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. 

Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week: 

1) Art Outdoors

Our trip to Halecat House combined several things that make me happy:

• being with loved ones
• a walk in beautiful countryside
• discovering wonderful sculptures

2) Running with my son

I may not be any where near as fast as him but my son asked to run with me twice this week. He pushes me to run faster and keeps encouraging me when I am finding it tough:

3) Hair Dye

To celebrate the end of the school year I decided to do something wacky to my hair. As I was virtually all grey I have gone for a very bold colour which I had never been brave enough to do before:

Halecat House Sculpture Trail

My mum invited us to join her on a walk to Halecat House to check out their new sculpture trail. We were half an hour behind them, due to tutoring, when we parked up near The Derby Arms and set off along the old A590 towards the public bridleway we needed:  

The bridleway took us through Latterbarrow nature reserve and then across the fields. We had views of Whitbarrow one way and the Lakeland fells the other:

Briefly, we were on the road before taking a steep and narrow pathway down towards our destination. We are planning to visit Whitbarrow Scar for a hike over the summer: