Crunch! What was that? A minute later, we’re passing a flooded field corner. The water is draining away from under a thin sheet of ice. Crack! Another piece has broken. Other than ice breaking, it’s pretty quiet up here. There are one or two others about, but there’s plenty of room, and once we’ve been walking for a few minutes, we’ve forgotten how cold it was when we set out – just 1°C and a cold east wind.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120

… and down to Willey. It’s a simple out-and-back walk, the only hazards being the short roadside stretch to the little toll cottage, and the mud beyond. Despite the mud, the sunken lane is a delight as we ascend to the top of the ridge; beyond, it’s downhill beside the parkland to Willey village. The old hall stands guard in a scene that, without parked cars, would be medieval. The pool behind the estate offices marks our turning point – after chocolate rations, we’re homeward bound.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367555&Y=300185&A=Y&Z=120

Quite a drop of rain overnight – streamlets flow along the road, and everywhere there’s the sound of running water. We were last here eleven days ago: since then, hundreds, maybe thousands of snowdrops have popped up, and (look closely) there are buds on hawthorn and hazel, signs of the spring to come in another month or so.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367620&Y=297945&A=Y&Z=120

Wednesday 27 January: It’s much warmer today (that’s a relative description: we’re still well-wrapped); there’s barely a breeze and it’s rather grey. The snow of two days ago has almost all gone, just a few spots remaining here and there. We’ll walk up Shirlett Lane to the gate near the top of Ned’s Lane, partake of chocolate, then retrace our steps. The distant views are hazy at best, so we’ll focus on what’s close at hand (or close to our feet).

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120

 

Different again, despite following the same route as yesterday and Saturday. We’re out in the morning – it’s cold, but the sunshine from a clear blue sky feels warm. It will soon melt the snow from the trees.

…as my grandfather would have said, pretty steadily all morning. Now we’ve had our lunch, and the snow has stopped – but there’ll be more later, according to the Met. Office. We’d better get out there and make the most of it. Same route as yesterday, but what a difference!

The showers are wintry, but happily they’re few and far between. When they come, the snow falls in curtains across the horizon. On this cold afternoon, barely above freezing, it’s good to be out in truly fresh air.

That’s how they were this morning – once again, it’s cold and clear, and the air is still. Watching the forecast has proved its worth – it’s 3pm now, and raining again!

We’ve had two damp, dismal days, and a lot of rain, thanks to storm Cristoph. He’s gone now, leaving us with a sprinkling of snow, clearer fresher air and a fine sunny morning. We’ll try to make the most of it with a walk along Shirlett Lane

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365660&Y=298545&A=Y&Z=120

… but it’s all downhill from here: lots of rain to come during the next few days. It’s also mostly – and gently – downhill to the sheep field, a couple of miles along the lane. Beyond, it would be steeply downhill to the river (and we’d have to come back up again!), so we’ll pay our respects to the sheep, then turn back. As we return, the clouds are gathering – much more grey than blue now.