We thought we’d seen the last of the sunshine when it became overcast and grey around lunchtime – but as the sun went down, the sky cleared. It was still pretty cold though. Nevertheless, a pleasant afternoon for a wander through Linley Brook, up to Willey and back past Lower Pool and the Smithies.
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Late afternoon: it’s stopped snowing and the day’s looking brighter – but not for long. We’re walking down the lower lane at Shirlett, and as we walk back, though the sky is clearing, the light is going. It’s too cold to stand and watch the sunset. Instead, turn through 180° and see the last full moon of the year rising.
The weather’s continuing with its bleak midwinter theme – today it’s the snow’s turn. We open the curtains this morning to whiteness, and soon it’s snowing again – snow on snow.
After lunch things are looking more encouraging. There’s a couple of inches on the car, but that’s not a problem: we’re walking. It may be familiar ground, but the snowfall has given it a different perspective.
It’s the ‘Tally-Ho‘ walk again – in reverse. We walked this way on late October, on a day when we were doing our best to dodge the showers. Today, after storm Bella has passed, it’s beautiful weather – the wind’s dropped and it’s cold, bright and clear.
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Before Bella – a boxing day stroll along Shirlett Lane. It’s windy, and there’s rain on the way.
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Christmas morning – there’s been quite a frost. It’s not every day you can trip over the mud on the roads. The frost has added interest to the puddles and the dead leaves. It’s not a bleak midwinter though – the sunshine is warming and welcome.
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A walk down to the river, partly to see how high the waters have risen, and partly to make the most of a cold but beautifully-sunny morning. Yes, it’s high – but not on the Wharfage yet. Yes, there are others about down there, but not too many – they’re easily avoided. The bridge has been a deep red since its recent renovation, but today it resembles silver filigree.
Nearing home, a hour or so later, the sunshine has gone – it’s a grey day. Tomorrow it’s – Merry Christmas everyone!
More rain? It looks like being wet at 3pm – we’ll get out straight after lunch, following familiar ways. It may be grey, but it’s dry and still. Much of the interest now lies in the detail – the tips of bracken fronds, some lichen in the hedge, moss on old wood – and the inevitable puddles.
We’re home well before the rain – it’s almost 4pm now, and it’s still dry. We needn’t have hurried.
It’s a familiar route – out past Lower Pool, down Britons Lane, up Bould Lane and back along the short avenue. Other than a couple walking a dog, there’s no-one about. Perhaps the forecast deterred them – 40% chance of a shower at 2pm? We’ll chance it. I don’t think we’re going to have any significant rain – just enough for a brief rainbow… When the sun shines, it’s pleasantly warm, and there’s barely a breeze – most enjoyable!
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We’re on a mission today – there’s a wayside shop (cakes and other goodies) in the middle of nowhere, which coincidentally is near the end of this walk. We won’t hang about, partly because the daylight hours are very short now, and partly because the weather forecast says there’s an 80% (or was it 90%?) chance of rain at 4pm. It was pleasantly sunny earlier, but by the time we’re back at the car (mission accomplished) the weather is looking distinctly threatening. Within a minute or two of driving away, the first fat drops hit the windscreen. How’s that for timing!
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