So I wasn't going to do a blog today. It is the last day and we've basically spent the last day getting home (very slowly). However, a few spontaneous things have happened today that (there is no better way to say this) have made me feel so bloody grateful for the life I live, I can hardly find the words to tell you....but I will try.

The day started pretty standard (well standard for us laissez faire holiday types 🤣)- nice lie in, breakfast in bed, shower, packed and out of hostel by 10.30...nice. Our pre-booked train wasn't till 1 so we had a bit of time to mooch. Not wanting to stray too far from the station, we decided to just walk across the road to Windermere Library, mainly because it's set on quite pretty grounds and looked quite lovely in the sunshine (yes!... The rain had finally relented!). After a quick foray around the grounds we ventured inside (well, it was an open door- they always beckon to be walked through, right?😊)- I'm so glad we did! Ground floor is basically just your bog standard local library (shame on me for under-selling this- let me try again). Downstairs is your usual brilliant, informative, worthwhile, free education, what would we do without, community hub, pillar of knowledge, local refuge and warm place, library (that's better). But upstairs was even better (if that's possible). There were 2 free expeditions, one based on the Waterboat planes (I'm not sure I'm saying that right) that used Windermere for their test ground (only 4 left in the world btw- go seek one out while you can!) and the second exhibition was about 'The Windermere Children' (the holocaust refugees that were relocated to the Calgarth Estate, just down the road after the second world war ended). Apparently, there was a film made about the material exhibited, which unfortunately passed me by (a fact that will be remedied as soon as I'm home). The exhibition featured video footage of the survivors speaking about their experience and artifacts they brought with them. Now I know that this blog is starting to sound like a run down of all the things I cry at (I make no apologies .. I'm a sensitive guy) but this got me going...I mean TBF, they were all crying too and my mirror neurones are programmed to respond (when I allow myself) but Jesus Christ!.... The hell that they went through... And the joy in their faces when they were freed to a place they called 'Paradise' was enough to overwhelm anyone .... On waking from his slumber, one refugee talked for over an hour about how it felt to sleep in linen sheets ...think about that for a minute???...the best thing that has happened to a child so far in his lifetime is the fact he slept in a bed that was off the floor and had sheets... If that doesn't move you ..you are a cold hearted bastard and make no mistake. Anyway, out of respect, I will not post the photos of the survivors on here (go see it if your in Windermere) but I will give you the film poster in case you wanna check it out like me. X

After an emotive start to the day, we continued by visiting the local Queens park for some more outdoor fun, a lovely park with good facilities and overlooked by rolling countryside- we are getting so spoilt by lovely parks at this point that underwhelm is setting in (I need to return to urban parks to reset my appreciation threshold 😊). We have lunch in the local Christian cafe complete with church paraphernalia and warm smiles (I don't know if the water was blessed but their chocolate brownies definitely were 🤤) and then return to the train station.

After a short sunny train ride we alight at Lancaster as I have arranged to meet an old University friend who lives nearby. He meets us at the train station and kindly whisks us away to the nearby Williamson park. This is a lovely place and we spend the next few hours chatting away and touring the splendid park complete with massive monuments, butterfly house and several parks. Nick made light work of the hundred plus steps he had to get up for me to take this shot...extra points for anyone that can spot him!🤣

Incidentally, the friend I was meeting got married inside this beast of a building....how cool! In fact, he's generally a pretty cool dude and despite not having the easiest life (for reasons I don't need to expand on), he takes this adversity in his stride, and in fact thrives because of it, a sentiment that he expresses to me during our conversation.

And then it hits me!...  A full circle moment...and a way to wrap up this blogging adventure 😊. I opened with the Marvel theme music- super heroes that were so, because they did the impossible and went where others dared not to....it seemed a fitting opening sentiment for an adventure. But perhaps the real adventure in life, is to keep going, to keep plodding, despite not knowing what will follow, only the desire to survive, to continue. Whether it's your first 12 mile walk in a torrential downpour or a lifetime of struggle at the hands of a fascist dictator and eventual reprisal or a father working his arse off all his life because his family needs him to....it might be a different ship but the same storm....adversity presents an opportunity to succeed... every step is a chance to get better, stronger, wiser....every step is a chance for us all to become real life 'heroes'. Xxx❤️