Lakes

Living in a world of memories. I remember our holidays in the Lake District in my auntie's cottage. Going to mountain warplane crashes, visiting the lakes, climbing real mountains and seeing quaint villages and towns.

Driving there in my dad's Avenger and later on, his Lada. Seeing RAF jets fly low in the valleys. For a while, thinking I'd do that one day. Eating Kendal Mint Cake, hard on the teeth, great on the gut! Give me some more.

Collecting all manner of stones; pebbles off St Bee's beach, minerals from Goldscope mines, slate from Whinlatter quarry and a dozen other things from the Mother Earth. Was this where my love of the natural world started?

Those meaningful 70s and 80s holidays faded into my youth. My 20s, 30s and early 40s passed. Decades stealing my memories, eroding their sharpness. But not taking the feeling in my heart. One day I will day return.