Lake District, April 2024. Day 11, Squalls on The Kent

The dipper flew out of the bank of the river from under my feet and settled on a rock on the far side. Turning to face me it dipped up and down, it's brilliant white breast contrasting with the brown plumage and helping to camouflage it against the white of the rapids. It was one of several we saw along the river between Bowston and Staveley, the most exciting occasion being when we watched one busily feeding chicks in a nest tucked underneath a farm bridge.

We had walked down to the river at Bowston from our Ashes Lane site, revelling in the rich greens of the cushions of moss tumbling over the stone walls in Rather Heath Plantation and coating the trees which sprouted growths of epiphytes such as ferns, mosses and lichens. On the way through Bowston Farm we had a very interesting chat with the farmer who has given up his sheep and replaced them with shorthorn cattle as they crop the grass less short making the land better for birds and other wildlife. As always the walk along the river was delightful; we always enjoy the sound of running water. The first bluebells were coming into flower along with wild garlic. Wood anemones or windflowers are already in full bloom as are wood sorrel and drifts of ladies smock.

The tea and stickies at Wilf's in Staveley was welcome before our last couple of miles across the fields back to the site.