It seems as though the snow will never go and with parts of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England struggling with upto 20ft drifts (no joke) it seems like the new year is keeping up with the dismal weather of 2012.......
Even our houses have not escaped the harshness of winter.
The path to the old Orchard covered in the white stuff.
The suffering sheep.
With some 4000 lost due to the bad weather, farmers face another harsh year....
And, when the snow isn`t falling, its the cold frosty nights that greet everyone.
Oh well, spring will arrive soon, we live in hope!
What a glorious day for a walk!
Dark angry skies were now replaced by a sunny winters day.
Our walk started from Paignton and we would continue onto Brixham which was roughly 10 mile away, up and down the Jurassic Coastal Path, which was rugged, muddy and unpredictable.
The Beaches at this time of year are a doggy heaven, stretching over excited paws that have been restricted during the summer months.
The Coastal rail path, that goes to Brixham and in bright sunshine the walk was pleasant.
Many of the bridges are victorian, all built by hand and not machines.
The gateway into Brixham, which was heavily fortified and the old barracks and artillery can be seen in Brixham`s museum.
A full sized replica of The Golden Hind is available for all to visit aswell as the chance to read about the Spanish Armada and Sir Francis Drake.
Then, when you`ve exhausted yourself with the walk here and visiting there (there is plenty to see) why not treat yourself to good old fashioned fish and chips! I highly recommend them!!
I don`t think Sir Francis Drake would argue with you!
Our journey finished here and we caught the bus back to Paignton, which runs very regularly and easy to find.
With so many areas surrounded by water, I wasn`t sure we would get away for our holiday, but we did!
Early December proved to be quite a time to travel, hoping we could still get to our destination following the news reports and footage of the deluges that had fallen (and not abated) around the country.
We came through somerset and witnessed swollen and drenched fields and rivers that no one seemed to know where one began and the other ended and I was almost certain that the trains had dingy`s for the rest of the journey!
But we needn`t have worried.
Arriving late on a damp, cold evening so it was a pleasure to reach the Marine Hotel in Paignton, where Willow and myself had stayed 3 years before.
It was nice to see some of the old staff that had stayed and fond memories returned.
The next day was a world away from the water drenched fields we had passed, but the weather was still true to form, cold and occasionally wet!
Taking an early morning walk still showed the moody sky in all its glory.
The smell of the sea air refreshing, but a question still remained - will we ever see the sun shine again and give us that little cheer we all crave?
Answer : It is an enigma and one we cannot forecast!
But alas, as dawn turned to daylight, a glimmer and the rainbow shone through the dark clouds, lighting up the dreary skyline that we were all fed up.
We walked from Paignton peer and onto Torquay which was only 5 miles away.
Armed with a good brolly in tow for the odd sharp downpoor, the walk along the beach is pleasant and you don`t notice the mileage until it starts to rain!
We went on into Torquay and walked across the harbour bridge, dodging the threateningly dark skies, passing the sealion centre.
This old victorian town boasts all victorian mod cons, such as the glass house building below...
Torquay pier shines forboding in the stormy skies, defying rough tides that lash against its walls...
Its high street, though quiet on this wet day, but during the summer is a hive of activity, showing of its unusual building structures and old town traditions.
And below, a walk back from Torquay with sun finally shining, a refreshing stroll would at last be our reward...
In the heart of Rural Lincolnshire is a small village called Barrowden.
We have done many a walk around this area, so we decided to come back for bonfire night in November last year and it was a sight to see.
Where did all the people come? It is only a tiny village - but had been well advertised as it hosted its fireworks a week later to others.
The ground was boggy with many a person in their wellies, but no-one cared, at least it was dry when other events had been called of due to bad weather the week before.
But little Barrowden showed what the meaning of country spirit was and they held their buckets up for people to put what they wanted in (donations are made to keep things like the fireworks and community going) with amples of warm mulled wine with their own (quite literally)2 inch thick beefburgers, sausages (cheap as chips they were!) with just as big baps going down well, it was time to get on with the show.
With a good burning guy upon the heaped up mound of burning wood, it was the place where people wished to keep warm.
And with some of the noisy bangers and spectacular lights lighting up the night sky, it was enjoyable to watch.
The catherine wheel takes a little time to whizz its way round.
It had been a while since we were last at a firework show, and it was worth it.
Ten minutes later and it was over, all too soon...
But! There is a good Pub where everyone seemed to be making their way to, so we followed the crowd and to the pub we went for a decent pint, but declined the home made food that was on offer - One burger too many me thinks!!
We last came to Burghley Park a couple of years ago, not much has changed.
Its grand splendour in building design still stands proudly awaiting visitors from around the world to explore its vast park and even vast interior of the building.
It is a short walk from stamford town centre, though you may wish to drive to the car park!
Every July it houses the Burghley Proms in the park, which is fantastic to see with its fireworks, live music and finishing with its 200 canon blast to the 1812 overture.
Take a walk around the extensive grounds and see how many different deer you can see, but don`t expect to get too close!!
Here`s a little one that became very inquisitive and didn`t seem to mind any four legged friend that came on by.
And this one was laughing at its own joke!!
What d`you call a deer with no eyes?
I don`t no, what do you call a deer with no eyes?
No Idea Ha haha!!!
Burghley Park (like so much of the area) is stooped in history and the majority of the grounds have various trees which are over 400years olds and some are supported by stakes because of its branch thickness, but have a good old look around, take a picnic (preferably with a big brolly with the good old British weather!) and enjoy a good day out.
My apologies but I have a couple of posts to catch up, so this walk actually took place late October 2012, but I still want to share it with you, because it was a really good time to take what I call "moody pictures" and how the sun can play a good roll in the photos we take...
It was a cold, foggy and frosty morning with a never ending site to the foul weather we have had for nearly a year, but somehow all that doesn`t matter when you can have a good clear walk and take cool pictures!
Our journey started at Top Lodge car park, Fineshade and with several routes to follow, we decided none of them! but walked south of the car park towards the Abbey, on the site of St. Mary`s Priory (Augustinian) and with the fog slowly clearing, the area showed a beauty waiting to be discovered and following the Jurassic Way, we were a little disappointed that we couldn't`t walk to the trig point as fences barred our entry as the Abby area is privately owned, but with the sheep for company and the eerie sounds of dear rushing away, it took on a new meaning of loneliness......
Cobwebs make for stunning pix with the frost.
The sheep and the trig point (triangulation pillar)
The remains of the Abby
Our friends followed us everywhere!
The glowing abby and trig point
A walk along the jurassic way is very well signposted and there are good places to go for food, although the route we went was only 4 miles on undulating ground, so good footwear required and route map of Rutland Water 234 is excellent to showing you the many routes that we have taken, and if ever your this way, your always welcome to drop in for a cup of tea and a mighty walkers tale!
