eden valley, walks, wildlife

All along the Lonning.

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There’s a Lonning that runs between the villages of Melmerby and Gamblesby in the Eden Valley. Lonning is a word for Lane in the Cumbrian dialect, I rather like the name.

This Lonning gives off a rosy hue. Wellies at most times of year become caked in a clay coloured mud. The stone walls look almost pink and in Summer resting butterflies bask in their warmth

Here’s a recent outing in early Spring. The sun was shining, though the morning was a cold one. A soundtrack of chirping tree sparrows and chatty yellowhammers filled the air.

Along the Lonning.
Still a wintery tree.
Distant view of a Lakeland mountain ‘ Blencathra’ aka Saddleback.
Blackthorn in blossom.
Intriguing sign. ❤️
The lane becomes a stream.
Yellowhammer singing.
Beautiful horses.
A camp is set up.
Heading back.
Daffydowndillies.
Waiting for me?

Apparently there are many lonnings criss crossing the Cumbrian countryside. Do you know of any ?

31 thoughts on “All along the Lonning.”

  1. Don’t know of any specific ones, but they are lined by hedges or walls and can run out from farms up to fields or moorland or from village to village. I think in the north east they are called lonnen

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  3. I like that the stone wall has multiple purposes during different seasons, especially as a resting spot for butterflies. I think those horses are called Clydesdales. Gorgeous whatever they’re called. We’re a few months off gumboot weather, though way down south as in the Sth Is, is nearly there Different beanie to follow 😉

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      1. I’m sure it will be Shazza, it’s looking like a wet Easter for us. Will have to walk off a hot cross bun in the rain 🙂

  9. Looks like a wonderful spring day to spend outside 🙂 I always love seeing daffodils and Blackthorns blossom as they signify a new dawn and an end to a relentless winter. In Ireland, the Blackthorn has been considered a special tree for millennia. It is the bearer of good news, of hope. It says hang on, Spring is coming.

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    1. I think Blencathra, also known as Saddleback , is the only mountain fell I can pick out of a line-up.
      I can never resist taking a photo of the caravan.

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  12. A lovely stroll down a lovely lane / lonning. As someone else observes, there are lonnens in NE England – don’t know any country ones but the word appears in some Newcastle street names eg Silver Lonnen and Two Ball Lonnen (yes, really).

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