Our Man in the Lake District Eleanor Broaders' ode to social media sensation, Kerry Irving, who posts videos of his dog walks in the Lakes every day: "I saw a feature on the BBC about Kerry Irving and his three springer spaniels, Max, Paddy and Harry, who have raised thousands of pounds for the vet charity the PDSA and mental health charities. I found he live streams his dog walks twice a day from in and around Keswick where they live, which means that every day, twice a day I can take a virtual walk with Kerry and his dogs. "Kerry and his dogs walk along mountain paths, by lakesides, through forest and river paths in and around Blencathra, Cat Bells and Manesty Woods, and I can honestly say the scenery is breath taking. I’ve been writing poetry for 50 years this year and was inspired by one of Kerry’s live streams near Blencathra to write this poem." Eleanor Broaders Our Man in the Lake District He live streams at 6:04amHis jagged breath mistingIn the cool morning air.He reels off the names of mountainsLike a roll call in a classOf unruly children, lined upShoulder to shoulderIn his Lake District playground. The shadow of his phone gimbolGhosts along dry-stone walls,Hawthorn hedges white with blossomAnd fields crisp with morning frost.The cries of sheep carry on the wind.The rhythmic crunch of his bootsA percussive drumbeat above whichThe dawn chorus rises and falls. And I think how lucky he isTo walk his dogs down country lanes,Through ancient woods, by lake shores,Where mountain reflectionsPyramid on the water’s surface.And I am glad he chooses to shareHis sheer joy of solitude,With a locked down townie like me. © Eleanor Broaders – 18/04/21 Pictured: Kerry, Max and Paddy braved the weather and came along to support us at our Thirlmere Rally in 2018 Manage Cookie Preferences