Finally, Spring has arrived with shorts and T-shirts!
Wansford in Lincolnshire is another of the old, thatched villages with a colourful history that still comes through - even today.
We decided that we would follow part of the Nene Valley Way, which start a long way from here, Kings Lyn to be exact!
The route would take us to Yarwell where we would catch the steam train which would take us back to Wansford and then the final section of the walk would take us back to the village.
One of the many markers that point the way
Wansford Village hidden by the trees and the old Bridge that goes over the River Nene
Coming into the caravan park, the lock and the River being well used
No swimming here!
Going through the Lock, one of many that travel along the River
Meet Thomas` A welcome sight for those that were travelling along the Nene Valley Railway, which goes from this station all the way to Peterborough and back again, although Thomas would only be going to Wansford.
A wonderful nostalgic journey which was £3.00 per adult to Wansford.
The Nene Valley Railway is run by volunteers and they are always after people to lend a hand, I`m hoping to join them soon!
Wansford Station is a hive of activity of which there are other carraiges which has a memorabilia car, a post office carraige, below, giving details about the great train robbery and even a small train exhibition and an opportunity to see the work volunteers are currently doing and the various challenges that they face.
Rejoining the route takes you down various quaintly named roads and tracks, this one being Lovers Lane!
And at the end of the walk, a well earned fish and chips with home made mushy peas and tartare sauce!
Not forgetting you are not far from the local parachute and flying centre.
We watched many a person jump out of this plane and the chutes open safely under glorious sunshine with intermittent cloud!
Set in the heart of Shropshire is The Wrekin a Hill with many a tall tale to tell! In Shropshire it is one of the tallest hills around with magnificent views of the Malvern Hills and areas of Shropshire, but to get there can be challenging as there is a steady uphill climb.
There is also a folk tale of two feueding giants who are said to have had a fight with one crashing down the hill and whose groans can still be heard to this day!
Having parked the car on the side of the road (the car park is small and generally full) we made our way onto the road/track that would take us to the top.
This signpost, which is just passed a good cafe place which is run by the local farmer, actually says this way and that way!
Nearing the top the views beginning to reveal itself.
The notice board telling you about life on the Wrekin and the importance it once played as a hill fort.
Near the top is this unusual circular dome of place and how far they are from the Wrekin.
The top, the triangulation pillar. And below one of the views await you, but you`ll have to see for yourself when you visit!
Having been a carer, I have seen the best and worst in people, even ourselves, so when I first became one, I wasn`t sure what to expect, we all go into a job thinking we know it, but we don`t and are somewhat blinkered, believing things we have done is the norm and correct.
So, when the CQC first came to the place I worked at, I thought whats going on, we`ve not done anything wrong - have we?
It wasn`t until I found out someone who knew the rules more than those who had done the job for 20 years that suddenly questions grew and I no longer new, or lacked the instinct, of what I was doing.
I had only been in the job 4 months and suddenly I was questioning myself.
Had I done everything right?
Which direction do I take?
What is right and what is wrong?
When I saw the colleague who had whistleblown, I wasn`t sure what to do, but I heard others berating that person for doing what was best, suddenly I felt embarrassed because of their attitude towards that person, it was then that I decided to see what the outcome of the CQC report was and how much would change and the people within.
I kept records of incidents etc for the following 2 years, keeping "secret diaries" so to speak.
I wanted to make sure that what happened to this person would not be repeated, but it was, several times.......
As this is quite a long article, it will take several pages, but no names or places will be published to protect those that are continuing to do the work I have started, as for myself, like I said before I have a conscience and people have a right to know.
I care, like the thousands of others that do to.
The following Articles are about understanding and making people aware of what to look for when checking places out, even people, if necessary and that generally the places and its people are fantastic, doing a job, which at times stretches the most caring of people to breaking point, making split second decisions that can mean the difference between life/death, violence and diplomacy etc,
These writings will take time to write, so bare with me, it is not the easiest of articles to write and to write them well and see both sides takes time, it cannot be seen as one sided, that is not the way I write.
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!!
