There’s a storm coming… We’re not likely to be out and about again until Sunday or Monday. A short morning walk could be good – the sun’s shining when we leave home, but only minutes later the cloud is spilling across from the west.
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Making the most of a dry and reasonably bright afternoon
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Rowe Lane: not what we’d intended! Starting from Tigger’s Ickle Shop (port and lemon marmalade, cakes…), we’d intended to walk the circuit through Holdgate, but (we were half-expecting it) there’s a stretch of road that tends to flood. Sometimes it’s passable, but today we decided we didn’t want wet feet. So we retrace our steps to the start and continue for about half a mile the other way along the lane, turning back where it descends to the ford (and then becomes very muddy). Fortunately, there’s some truth in the saying that things look different in the other direction…
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I’ll have a bit longer than that really, but then the title would be too long. The sky has cleared after lunch, and it’s too good for staying indoors. Got to be back by 3.45 though (it’s getting dark by then anyway)
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We’re enjoying a very pleasant walk in the country below the Wenlock Edge. Our route takes us along along quiet lanes, which rise gently all the way to Plaish, before a steeper descent back to the start. The views are great; the low angle of the sun brings out the colours, which turn increasing towards a golden red as the sun gradually drops to the horizon. The days are very short now.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=353520&Y=295320&A=Y&Z=120
The usual short leg-stretch – and yes, it’s very pleasant, especially in the morning sunshine. There’s not a cloud in the sky! Not many leaves on the trees either, but the winter wheat (or barley) is greening the fields like velvet.
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The Tern’s flood plain is well filled today! ‘Lake’ is fair description of the temporary expanse of water, the outcome of Bert’s downpours and the rapid melting of snow. The ground’s rather soggy too, in places, but mostly the walking is good underfoot. Once again, we’re following a different route around the extensive parkland – the deer are out and about, and we won’t get a good view of them if we stay in the woods. We won’t be able to enjoy the sunshine there either.
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The snow and the leaves… There are still a few little patches of white, but most of the ground is bare, and though a few leaves remain, the trees are mostly skeletal. Ten days ago, it was autumn around Willey; now it’s winter.
View OS map in Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367470&Y=298250&A=Y&Z=120
A less-exciting day today (can’t push my luck too often) – less snowy too. The white stuff is melting steadily in the sunshine – and we need the sunshine, as it’s still very cold in the shade. We’re walking along the lane past Hurst Farm pools, turning back when onward path passes into the shadow of the trees. It’s very pleasant up here – and fields are remarkably stripy today.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=366865&Y=296250&A=Y&Z=115
Wednesday 20 November: It’s icy cold out, but also dry and sunny, under a clear blue sky. To stay indoors would be unforgiveable! So we’re enjoying a short (and fairly slow) walk on the Hope Bowdler hills – over the main ridge to the Battle Stones, and back across the moor. It’s wonderful up here – the snow has drifted a little, carving some interesting shapes; it’s deep in places. The (invisible) path isn’t always easy, as we step in and out of the (deep!) few footprints left by others, but it’s fun! And there’s no-one else about – just one young woman descending with a dog, in the first half-mile. After that, the hills are ours for the afternoon!
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