Like yesterday, we’re out in the morning – for the same reason. Rain’s forecast for the afternoon (once again, accurately). Some early mist is lingering, clearing only slowly, and there are some splendid sunbeams along the lane. No shortage of interesting fungi either – some old friends and some new surprises!
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The forecast said it would rain this afternoon (it did!) so we’re out in the morning, following a route that wasn’t our first choice (but a road was closed – we’d forgotten). Partly on very quiet roads, and partly on even quieter field tracks, it’s an enjoyable amble in the autumn landscape.
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Sounds great, doesn’t it? Catherton Common, then Silvington Common, but first, Cramer Gutter, appropriately the low point of a wander around this strange area to the north-east of Magpie Hill. Remains of old bell pits abound, and there are former squatters’ cottages everywhere. The paths are not always obvious, but the sheep seem to know where they’re going. Perfect for a cool, bright and sometimes sunny October afternoon!
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They’re not always obvious, well hidden in the dark undergrowth beneath the trees along Shirlett Lane. But see one, then look around, and there are dozens more! They must like it here – I do!
A short wander on a bright autumn afternoon. There may be some sunshine; with luck it will stay dry. No shortage of berries – mostly red, mostly inedible – in and around Red Lane.
We walked about 11.5 miles today – that’s roughly twice the usual distance, and we had two lunch breaks (plus an intermediate stop on a comfortable bench in St Giles’ churchyard at Barrow), so perhaps it works out at two good walks. I’m putting my feet up (metaphorically) this evening anyway. We’ve got to make the most of fine weather in this unsettled period – as I write, the rain is coming down yet again.
It could stay dry for an hour or so later in the afternoon – we’d better make the most of it. There have been heavy showers all day, with one or two brief sunny intervals. Once again, we’ve been lucky – an hour or so after we got home, it was raining again.
Following two thoroughly wet days, the clouds are lifting and we’re stretching our legs on the circuit around Willey and Linley Brook. We’re really into autumn now.
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Saturday 19 September: Two weeks ago we were in Dunbar. Thursday and Friday were gloriously sunny; today’s a greyer, more subdued kind of day. We’re visiting – briefly – the coast just a little to the west, around Tyninghame, an area that will repay further further exploration on another occasion. Later, we’re back in Dunbar, for a last look before heading south again in the morning.
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1st October: there will be showers this afternoon – perhaps we can dodge them? The next couple of days look like being rather wet, so we’d better make the most of today. We’ll hedge our bets with a route where there’s plenty of shelter… Sure enough, there are a few drops getting past the trees down Ned’s Lane, and a few more, with the sun behind them, along the Smithies lane. Otherwise, our luck’s still with us.
There are some truly splendid toadstools amongst the trees – some fine colonies of smaller specimens, and later we find some huge things like seriously-warped dinner plates. Some people would be able to put a name to them. Some would even eat them, I suspect. Not me!
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