Goodbye

Right after much deliberation I've decided to call time on Life in the NN Lane. 

I first started the blog as a creative outlet as I worked with data in an office. I no longer do that job and now work more hours.

Since my blog began more & more people are doing the same/similar things & I don't really feel like my ideas/posts/pictures etc are needed anymore.

Things never grew as I'd hoped and I no longer have the time or desire to move it forward.

I know coronavirus has exasperated this as I don't really feel I have much to say anymore. I'm feeling quite negative about coronavirus now & the limitations this is putting on our lifestyles. The rules no longer make sense to me. I work in a room with 28 people but can't have more than 2 people in my house as we are a family of 4! I don't want to pass this frustration or worry or negativity on so I'm constantly censoring myself. I actually wrote a poem back in April I never shared & it still rings true (I have been debating this decision for a while).

I feel I have nothing to say.

No contribution to make.

I have no words of comfort.

I do not wish to share my worries.

So many questions.

So few answers.

My voice is getting quieter each day.

The world is of it's centre.

We are drifting in the sea.

We watch.

We wait.

We sit.

We listen.

We stay.

I'm not sure there's anything to say.

I've also disliked social media more since coronavirus began & as a blogger I need this for information and sharing my posts so a but of an awkward catch 22. I hate twitter, can take or leave Facebook & love Instagram but would prefer to have it private.

I'm obviously no longer visiting as many places due to covid and as my children are getting older park trips are decreasing.

However, I'm immensely proud of my park guide & the blog will remain for a while. I've already deleted Twitter and Pinterest and the rest will follow.  I have begun deleting posts & haven't decided whether to just leave the park guides up.

As a parting gesture I would love it if you could all sign the lido petition. Tell your friends, kids football team, brownies, scouts, school mums etc and sign & share some more. I really do believe it would be a positive for the town. The petition will remain as it's in my real name & not the blog. This is something I'd love to happen at some point in the future blog or no blog.

http://chng.it/gkWtNM7sCr

P.s remember to sign the petition!!!

Northampton's Missing Lido

**Updated the petition is LIVE.  Please sign & Share**

http://chng.it/gkWtNM7sCr

#northamptonlidopetition

If you follow me on Facebook you will have seen I'm currently a little obsessed with water.  I have been enjoying many River Nene walks with the kids, which are lovely, but the kids want to swim! Every summer I get frustrated by the lack of swimming/splash park venues in Northampton (Northamptonshire). For such a large shire (we have a population of 750,000) and being so far from the sea we have very little in the way of outdoor swimming establishments. I love the idea of resurrecting a lido and putting Northampton back on the outdoor swimming map!

I have googled like a demon and we have nothing! We have the lovely Wellingborough Embankment Splash park and that is it.  There are obviously some private outdoor pools such as Overstone but nothing available to the public.

I honestly believe a Northampton Lido would be a huge benefit to the town.  With careful placement could also entice people to other places and create jobs.  There are 130 lidos in Great Britain which are surviving and some are absolutely thriving. I know it would need a huge cash investment but it could then be a real gem for the town.  Community events could be held, swimming lessons for kids and health benefits for all. Am I selling it to you? Would you be a local customer? 

In my hours of research I found that Midsummer Meadow had a Lido from 1908 to 1983 when it was emptied and demolished.  The old site is now a car park. It would be an amazing place to have a new Northampton Lido.  People could be encouraged to walk into town via the River Nene.  In my wildest thoughts what about the old bus station plot? It would be accessible to all (as obviously not everyone drives).  Wouldn't be the prettiest location but could boost town footfall and actually use the current dustbowl. Another possibility is out of Northampton itself and to Daventry which used to have a popular outdoor pool and was also turned into a car park! Maybe one of our existing venues such as Wicksteed Park or Billing Aquadrome would like to invest and open an outdoor pool.  Billing Aquadrome used to have one and Wicksteed used to have a paddle pool both have sadly been demolished.

A heated pool would secure the most revenue as would be used even on colder days but obviously has a higher running cost.  Most are open from March to October but many, especially in London, operate all year.

I checked the Northamptonshire County Council website and you can petition but you need to be very clear. A full council debate would happen if you get 2.5% of the population to sign (based on 2001 census).  I couldn't find the 2001 population figure and no idea why they base it on those records but based on the current population of 750,000 it would need 18,750 signatures. Do we think we could get that many people interested in a Northampton Lido?

For now with no outdoor swimming pools available I'll leave you with a list of our nearest.  Obviously in the current climate not all are open.

Eversholt Swimming Pool, MK17 9DS. Volunteer run, heated, seasonal, parking on site and snack kiosk.  Approx 29 miles

Woburn Lido, MK17 9QG.  Independent trust, heated, seasonal, parking opposite at village hall and snack kiosk. Approx 29 miles

Credit Woburn Lido

Woodgreen Leisure Centre, OX16 0HS.  Corporate run on behalf of council, heated, seasonal, parking on site and snack kiosk. Approx 33 miles

Hitchin Swimming Centre, SG5 1HA.  Corporate run on behalf of council, heated, seasonal, parking on site and cafe. Approx 43 miles

Chipping Norton Lido, OX7 5BZ.  Volunteer run, heated, seasonal, limited on site parking but several free public car parks in town and cafe. Approx 44 miles.

Peterborough Lido, PE1 1YY.  Corporate run on behalf of the council, heated, seasonal, parking on site and cafe. Approx 43 miles.

Walks & Open Spaces in Northamptonshire

For years I have focused on parks with play equipment as my children love a swing & zip wire! However with coronavirus and lockdown play areas have become out of bounds & many people have stayed closer to home. As we are now able to drive & lockdown is easing I thought I'd share some walks & open spaces in Northamptonshire.

I've been trying to find lesser known quieter spots for our family walks & much needed PlayStation/YouTube breaks.  Often these lesser known places have no cafes/toilets etc so are not recommended for lengthy stays.  Obviously the country parks are great & we all know & love Sywell, Brixworth, and Irchester etc (and they have toilets!) but I've tried to focus elsewhere as there have been reports these places have been very busy.

Northampton Washlands (behind Riverside) is a vast open space with the River Nene flowing along side it.  There's a small marina and often horses, sheep and ducks/swans/geese.

River Nene (Brackmills) further up from the washlands you can walk along the Nene.  We walked in a loop going past Northampton Active.  You can walk all the way to Midsummer Meadow but the 9 year old wasn't quite up to that!

Upton Country Park can be busy but is a big space and the lesser known area away from the car park/football pitch is much quieter. There are currently sheep in one of the fields and is flat & perfect for buggies and bikes. There is a car park available.

Brampton Valley Way. This is a 14 mile stretch taking you all the way to Market Harborough.  We have only visited a small section but loved it.  I can recommend Draughton Crossing car park to Kelmarsh Tunnels.  Last year we also walked from The Windhover for a couple of miles & then had a break at The Brampton Halt which will be open again later in the summer (hopefully!) Several free car parks are dotted long the walk.  

Bradlaugh Fields which is not really so unknown anymore but depending on the day/time can be very quiet. 

Irthingborough Lakes is a lovely quiet spot & you can walk all the way to Rushden Lakes quite easily and grab a takeaway drink & sit on the boardwalk before your return journey (top tip from my sister).

Harlestone Firs is one of my personal favourites grower in popularity you can still easily find pockets of complete solitude and perfect on a hot day as lots of shade from the trees. Free parking is opposite.

Villages we have some beautiful villages in Northamptonshire which are perfect for a stroll away from the hustle and bustle. We visited one yesterday and found a stream for the kids to paddle in & very few people.

A few of these places do not have specific car parks so take care parking, make sure you read the signs and don't obstruct roads/paths etc.

Have fun, take care & stay safe in this crazy new world.

Emma xxx