First outing of the new year (blame the weather!). It continues to be cold, but at least it’s dry today. Last week’s snow still lies on the (slightly) higher ground around Church Preen, which adds a little something to the photos.  The light certainly isn’t going to help today, though for a few moments the sun tries to break through. By 3pm the light’s gone, and soon after, we’re heading for home.

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A local walk and few photos to mark 2020’s last gasp – next time the sun clears the horizon it will be 2021. If it’s past midnight when you read this: Happy New Year! (“Let’s hope it’s a good one”)

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.

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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