thank god for Furness road diversion
It's not often you will find a motorist praising a road closure which results in 20-minute road diversion over narrow moorland roads. But that's exactly what I did this weekend after a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
We may have been cursing the A595 road closure for the last seven days with the Barrow to Millom road closed north of Askam causing diversions around back lanes near Dalton, Ulverston and all points in between.
But late last night driving over the moor road between St Peter's School at Ireleth and Marton what ran out straight in front of the car clear as day in the headlights - an otter!
At least I think it was an otter - you might tell me different!
Only this week we'd been reading about how prevalent otters now are in the UK after previous years of decline.
But I didn't expect one of the notoriously elusive creatures to run straight out in front of my car! It got safely across the road I'm glad to say.
Despite previously living in Shetland where such renowned wildlife experts as Simon King have set up base to see these beautiful creatures up close I have never seen one before - except the new impressive giant otter (which is almost mini Loch Ness monster style in its scale) at nearby South Lakes Wild Animal Park at Dalton.
Yesterday's specimen was certainly smaller than that, but way bigger than the weasel type encounters we've had just the other side of Ireleth.
In fact it was a day of animal encounters yesterday - because on a nearby road - again on the diversion - this time on the other side of Marton I came face to face with a bull on the road, standing facing me, looking every bit as if it was about to charge.
I was a stone's throw from Paradise (the Ireleth one!) - not Pamplona - and in my wife's car at the time I was wondering how on earth I was going to explain to her that her beloved car had been rammed by a bull when it turned and walked away. Spain 0-Italy (or at least Fiat) 1.
Unfortunately by the time I had alerted our head of photography (my camera having been in my own car, damn!) - the bull was back in its field sidling up to some Friesians - or I think that's what they were. I'm no Johnny Morris, let alone Simon King, so if any animal experts in the Askam area want to put me right about any of the above, or tell me what other wildlife I might expect to see during the current diversion, please feel free!
Published: October 24, 2010
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Blog history
More Millom news
- Anger over lorries near houses
- Bootle children thank God their school is safe
- Millom teacher head of two schools (1 comment)
- Welcome to My Millom...
- Millom Recreation Centre’s £600k revamp the tip of the iceberg
- Power station may hold key to rail users group campaign
- Pupils showcase dance skills in national competition
- Young people at the heart of theatre’s success
- Range of opportunities on QinetiQ apprentice scheme
- Brewers find recipe for success
- Homes, sweet homes
- Carnival spirit returns to Millom
- Reserve still a draw despite pipe work disruption
- Sew far, so good for Fiona’s firm
- Drumming up support for our ‘secret’ beauty spot
- Students take health to heart
- The decision makers
- Group leading the way with transformation plan
- Council gives children chance to take the lead
- ‘Shop doctor’ back to look at improvements in Millom
- Nuclear repository result looms
- Dog attack led to Millom cat’s death (2 comments)
- Two beaches praised in awards
- £17,500 boost for cultural activities
- Student Jack could be up for national award
Evening Mail homepage
ENERGY FOR LIFE 5.1k WALNEY FAMILY FUN RUN
Did you enjoy the Energy For Life 5.1k Walney Family Fun Run?
• Click here to pledge to take part in next year's event on September 2, 2012
Handy links
Vote
Quick links
- Five-and-a-half years for violent sex attacker
- Welcome to My Millom...
- Millom Recreation Centre’s £600k revamp the tip of the iceberg
- Power station may hold key to rail users group campaign
- Anger over lorries near houses
- Range of opportunities on QinetiQ apprentice scheme
- MILLOM & DISTRICT ANGLING ASSOCIATION
- Millom teacher head of two schools (1 comment)
- Sew far, so good for Fiona’s firm
- Proud to be Victoria Hyde
- Millom man threatened to stab police officer
- Dog attack led to Millom cat’s death (2 comments)
- Hundreds of people turn up to Millom fun day (1 comment)
- Student Jack could be up for national award
- Windfarm traffic chaos: debate
- Two beaches praised in awards
- Homecoming as Millom residents settle in new properties
- Welcome to My Millom...
- Millom Recreation Centre’s £600k revamp the tip of the iceberg
- Power station may hold key to rail users group campaign
 | ||||||
|
Have your say
Be the first to comment on this article!
Make your comment