An Amble In Ambleside
Last week I took a break from eye testing and headed off to Ambleside with Hannah and Patrick.
I’d guess most of you have visited the Lake District before, although it took me until I was around 30 to make my first trip. If you haven’t been, I can highly recommend it – though of course our own North East coastline is hard to beat!
Walking has so many benefits. It’s what our bodies were designed to do. There’s something deeply therapeutic about the steady rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other, feeling the ground beneath you, and being surrounded by nature – flowing rivers, wide lakes, and dramatic mountain skylines. It’s both calming and awe-inspiring.
It rained (a lot!) but that just added to the charm. One of my favourite memories is sitting inside, hearing the pitter-patter of rain on the window, settling down with a good book and a cuppa.
And speaking of walking – did you know it’s not just good for your general health, but for your eyes too? Research suggests regular walking can help lower the risk of conditions such as macular degeneration and glaucoma. Plus, walking lowers stress, which is another big one – because stress has been linked to an eye condition called central serous retinopathy (CSR). I’ve written about CSR before – essentially it can blur or distort vision, and stress is one of its biggest triggers.
While I was away, I picked up a book called The Hike. It’s a novel set in the Norwegian wilderness, all about hiking and camping. It might sound dull – but trust me, it was anything but. In fact, it was pretty intense (or should I say… in-tents? Sorry, bad joke!). If you enjoy reading and want a bit of dramatic escapism, I’d recommend it.
Which brings me back to reading. It’s something so simple, something we often take for granted – yet it brings so much pleasure. Of course, reading relies on good vision, and that’s why regular eye tests are so important. Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Even if your sight feels fine, an eye test can pick up on things early.
Take my dad as an example. For years he bought pound-shop readers – dozens of scratched pairs scattered around the house. Back then I was still a student, and he refused to see an optician until I was fully qualified. He waited four years for me to test his eyes properly!
At my practice, we’ve used many different lenses over the years, but we’ve found ZEISS lenses to be the best balance of quality and durability. They are a little more expensive, but as my mother-in-law always says: “When you buy something expensive, you’ll only regret it twice – once when you hand over the money, and once if it wears out.”
That saying came to mind in Ambleside. I’d been eyeing up a winter jacket in a Swedish shop called Fjällräven. On the last day I finally tried it on… then saw the price tag – gulp! But the salesman was good. He showed me how it’s double-stitched, windproof, waterproof, and built to last for years. I caved, bought it, and after a day or two of buyer’s guilt, I’m now very glad I did. It feels fantastic to wear, and I know it’ll last.
Sometimes buying quality really is more economical in the long run – not to mention the way it makes you feel.
And I hope that’s how you feel about your glasses – especially if they’re from me!
Anyway, enough rambling about my ambling.
Enjoy the rest of your week, and until next time,
Yours sincerely,
John Prouse
Loftus: 01287 644211
Skelton: 01287 650655
