OVER the last 15 years, my wife and I have stayed at Coniston over the Easter break. It arose purely by chance from surfing the internet for a Lake District location.

We were not disappointed - from our first visit in 2004, we were hooked.

However, this year's trip was in serious jeopardy. Having had a back operation on the April 2 I was unable to drive as normal and still needed time to recover. Not to be daunted, we travelled by train cross country, staying two nights in York and arriving in Coniston on Easter Saturday.

What a tonic it was. The weather was excellent and we easily managed to travel around by bus to Hawkshead, Ambleside Bowness and Grasmere.

The Windermere Jetty Museum was an easy walk from Bowness (how fantastic to see this finally completed); the open-top bus ride from Bowness to Grasmere wonderfully scenic.

I managed to walk several times from the holiday home to Coniston Water, the Bluebird Café and also for a long overdue trip on the Steam Yacht Gondola. Instead of driving everywhere, we found other more interesting trips.

We enjoyed even more than usual our immersion in the Coniston community, receiving also tremendous help from the owners of Coniston Holidays. It was a major step in my recovery, which led to no need for any further care from my hospital consultant from today (May 21).

The curative effects of the Lake District, and for me in particular Coniston, are recommended. Thank you indeed.

Graham Day

Stowmarket