American author Bill Bryson once stated in his book 'Notes from a small island' that the countryside of the British Isles is ‘unutterably beautiful’. Never was a truer word spoken and I'm sure ramblers on this year's Active with Diabetes Walking Holiday, which took place in the Lake District, would thoroughly agree.
Arriving at Beatrix Potter's Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel in Bowness on Windermere on Sunday 10th May, we embarked on a week of exploration, walking and discussion about our diabetes in the safe and comfortable company of friends.
During the week our guide Michael Collins from Ramblers Countrywide led us on three different walks which took in local sites such as Bowness, High Wray Church, Hawkshead, Skelwith Bridge, Elterwater, Ambleside and Windermere.
The walks were long and challenging and fulfilled our aims of showing how important activity is as part of managing diabetes. One walk included a trip across the lake on the ferry and the icing on the cake was the incredible view from Orrest Head after a long and windy ascent on our final day.
Many thanks go to the staff at the Lindeth Howe for making our stay so memorable and to our intrepid and dedicated Diabetes Specialist Nurse, Angela Sealeaf. Without her help the walks would not have been possible. Thank you also to all contributors who gave products to us for the delegate bags.