'Build, build, build' read the sign on the Prime Ministers' lectern as he announced the first stage in the plan to get the UK moving again and the economy back to life.

Building, of course, means different things to different people. There's infrastructure - roads, rail, broadband - and then there is support for industries who need it right now.

In Parliament this week I've been lobbying for significant infrastructure spending to reach Furness. This pandemic has been devastating for so many, but it should also be an opportunity for us to change some of our ways for the better.

We have been promised a green recovery and I want to see that vow delivered. Cumbria will receive the best part of £1.3million for cycling and walking routes and I want it to be used to create a lasting legacy that will shift people from their cars and onto bikes. The first step is stitching together a route from beyond Ulverston, down the A590 and over to Walney. The second is getting Network Rail, our Councils, and Highways England to pull together so that we end up with a coherent and safe scheme rather than a collection of disjointed projects. I asked the Transport Secretary about just this on Thursday and will sit down with him soon to move it forwards.

A green recovery was only one of the topics I discussed in the virtual town-hall meeting with the 'Time is Now' lobby group on Friday. We talked about climate change, the natural environment, cycling, electric vehicles, newts and a whole lot more. I was genuinely taken by the passion and ideas from the dozen or so who joined in, and I hope we can repeat it again soon.

One other thing that I want to see built up again is our tourism industry. We're often forgotten about by those who travel to the Lakes, but we have a significant tourism sector in Furness which I very much plan to support and grow over the next four years.

The sector has been hit very badly by Coronavirus, losing some of its best months and having to adapt to social distancing in a way that will often hit their profits.

This weekend I've been out with Cumbria Tourism highlighting five of our best examples of Furness' tourism sector, and also the huge amount of work that they've put in to getting themselves 'COVID-secure' and ready to open back up again.

Led by Carl Bevan, we visited West Point House and saw a top-notch self-catering premises that, through the hard work of Health and John, has made itself safe and ready to welcome guests back.

The Holiday Inn Express in Barrow have also put a tremendous amount of work in with Paul and Mark promoting 'the Great British Staycation' and actively selling Barrow to the world as a place to visit.

Sandscale Haws have been open throughout the pandemic and those who have visited have been lucky enough to see the Natterjack Toads hatching and wild orchids blooming while the world shut down around them. It's a beautiful spot and just one of many that is right under our nose in Furness and easy to forget about.

A short drive to Ulverston and it was good to see the familiar site of the Laurel and Hardy Museum back open. Mark has put his COVID-secure measures in place and is ready to welcome back the crowds.

Our final stop was to the Shed 1 Gin distillery and visitor centre on North Lonsdale Road. I've mentioned in this column before the huge efforts Shed 1 have put in to producing hand sanitiser for local charities like St Mary's Hospice, and meeting Andy and Zoe their passion for the area shines through. They are planning to welcome social bubbles to their premises from August.

The tagline from Cumbria Tourism is 'the place to be' and, travelling across Furness, visiting local businesses and tourist spots, I think it is spot on. We are blessed to live in this fantastic place and we all have a responsibility to support the people and places that make it so special.