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!
After what seems to be an eternity away, I can honestly say it is good to be back.
My journey will continue with new friends in tow and a determined attitude to deliver some justice, where it has been eating me away for 6 months and has to be told.
I shall be giving that information freely, and very soon as a former carer, people need to know what has been going on and the need to voice an opinion is not going to be stifled, what happens to me is irrelevant, the needs of others must come first and if it goes to press, then I shall be pleased because it means other people have faced the same situation and had no one to turn to or have been afraid to take on the bureaucrats, slipping into the background for a quieter life.
There is a saying, Justice is worth fighting for and people without a conscience will not give a damn about the consequences, I have a conscience and I do give a damn and I won`t be slipping quietly into the background.
I hope you`ll continue to come on my journey and if your in trouble, don`t hesitate to call on me, I`ll be there to back you.
But yes, alot has changed over the last year and majority of it good - surprisingly!
But where would we be without our ups and downs and our trivialities of life? They say life isn`t easy but it is a wondrous journey and at least in a blog you can write as little or as much as you wish!
I am, however, still having a few issues with my photos, but as soon as i`ve sussed it, I shall endeavour to post a whole new lot on, so all in all, nice to return!!
We have been companions for 10 years, you rescuing me and me you, but now sadly it looks like our journey together is nearly over and it breaks my heart to have to tell people that.......
I haven`t been on-line or walking anywhere recently due to Willows sudden decline in health.
We have been travelling companions for a long time, trusting each other to get the other one home!
Even as a carer, Willow was one too, providing comfort to those who were terminally ill or those that just missed their pets and to see vacant eyes suddenly shine is a comfort even for her.
But as I write this knowing that she was only lent to me and that behind those sparkling big brown eyes she knew what I was saying and hung on every word.
I hope I have given her a good life and I hope she and you will be with me for maybe one last journey, going back to where we enjoyed our time the most, Weymouth and Paignton, walking small distances along the South West Coast in a couple of weeks.
I hope she will join me, it won`t be the same otherwise.............
Snow.
It makes for wonderful pictures but causes havoc to transport and health.
But whilst the 8 mile trek to work is good exercise, and not a sole about, I often think of the sausage sandwiches I once gave out to a group of homeless people during a worse time than this and wonder if they ever made it of the streets (like myself) or whether they are still out there waiting for someone else to give them a helping hand.
Even when I lived rough, I still somehow managed to appreciate the little things around - even now - and I still don`t feel the cold and there are days when I long to return to the open road, and go exploring again, but I work with people who need me and, more importantly, I need them, but for now I enjoy walks with Willow and the challenges that are ahead, but in my heart and mind when things get tough, I can switch of and go back to those days of walking and not knowing where we`ll end up or who we`ll meet.
Even now I`ll walk places many would not tread, for I don`t feel afraid, life is a journey.........
Willow enjoying a run around
The road that is normally busy is devoid of vehicles and its tracks, only animal tracks walking down the centre down of a dark and isolated lane.
No lights show the way and moonlight is different because of its orange colour and another planet dances its way around in the foreground of the moon (below, just to left)
The air frost (or whore frost as it is properly called) makes for the brightness of the trees from green to brilliant white.
Willow showing the way of playing in the snow!
After an untimely rest and the middle a spreading,
It was time to get out and start the shedding!
With Willow in tow, and leading the way
We headed out on a glorious winters day....
They were paths we had previously taken
Five miles of hard breathing and shaking!
As Willow strolled without a care in the world,
I observed with eyes pleasantly open,
remembering why I had enjoyed the many fields and undiscovered paths,
Where had I been this winters last?
Sadly not well, that is true,
My body recovering from winter blues,
But now the time for recovery and healing,
With faithful friend following and feeling.
If I am slow, She does not stray,
But watches and waits come what may.
She gently nudges her nose at my body pushing me on,
Willing me to play and make the journey home.
But I won`t let her down, it is good to get out,
I walk gingerly, there is no doubt,
But with faithful by my side
I no another year ahead with plenty of walking to be done,
I no i`ll get stronger and not feel sad,
Life is a journey and one to be had........
With some snow that has fallen,
It made for pleasant pictures
And with the shadows of Willow and me doing our sand impression,
It made me smile and a good walk was complete.
Happy New Year to one and all and lets have a good one with good cheer and friends galore!
Speaking which, we must be a faithful lot,
Watching our football team go from the top, to near bottom.
But we are proud black country lads and lassies travelling from near and far to watch our team play in Old Gold and Black, but we aim for days of glory, but for now a happy end to a seasonal story.
As we sit in a stand not yet built with pouring rain lashing down on us, we watch with great anticipation at the way they play. But we are not disheartened with the pouring rain as cheery songs ring around the ground, "We`re all getting wet over here!" And "Our spirits will not be dampened for we shall not be moved!"
We must all be mad, but do the Wolves Players and management know what support they have? They have the support and believe in us all, so come on lads give us some cheer, `cos were all here in our bin bags in good spirits, all us grannies and grandads!
"I`m not that daft, I`m sat at home by a warm fire, waiting for the wet ones to arrive and I can dream of long walks ahead and as it is my Birthday, I`ll enjoy a good drink and bring in the New Year!"
It is that time of year once again and guess who`s looking forward to the Christmas Dinner - Yep Willow!!
But for now she`s content with sitting by the fire on a cold Autumn evening (Winter doesn`t officially start until the 22nd of this month) dreaming of long walks and pleasant things to eat.
I know she would join me in wishing everyone a good and happy and safe Christmas xx
