A Winter Walk Around Wrest

We took a visit to Wrest Park recently - an English Heritage site and one of our regular local haunts throughout the year. It always looks different each time we visit - even if it's the same season. The weather and the sky always help to determine the landscape. 

This day was one of those cold and crisp winter days. It had been glorious when we started off from home, then we drove into mist and fog. When we arrived at Wrest, the fog was still lingering, but the sun was breaking through and came out whilst we were wandering around. 

We explored the beautiful grounds and walked around the moat. The water was icy in places, the plants were resting, but somehow the bare branches of the trees and the remains of the reeds looked spectacular. The birds were out in force as usual. We heard woodpeckers and blackbirds, spotted robins, wrens and thrushes and as always the swans, ducks and geese were enjoying themselves out on the waters. 

It was a bracing walk and afterwards we sat out by the cafe still wrapped up in our coats and scarves and gloves and warmed ourselves up with hot pulled pork sandwiches and lattes. I love to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air even in winter, but even Ted needed to be kept cosy in his coat. 

Festive Weather and a Brand New Year

The very last week of December and 2016 and the weather was quite dramatic bringing us freezing fog and more heavy frosts. Not ideal for anyone travelling during the festive season, but somehow eerily beautiful weather to wake up to if you don't have to travel anywhere. 

There's been something magical about walking outside with the dog on most days of the year this last year and really seeing and feeling all types of weathers and the seasons come and go. The recent heavy fog brought a whole new dimension to how the garden and countryside looked - or maybe didn't look -  as it was a struggle see anything except shrouds of mist and fog on some days. Everything was a stark black or white walking in the countryside during the fog. And then, another day it would lift to reveal the trees, plants, hedgerows and fields covered in white frost and the sun would be out in full, casting its deep orange glows at sunrise and sunset and giving us some spectacular contrasting scenery to the fog. 

The bright Christmas lights were a welcome sight during late afternoon walks in the fog - twinkling and glimmering in the distant murkiness; the vibrant sunrises and sunsets gave amazing starts and ends to the bitter cold winter days during the festivities. 

Then New Year's Day dawned and somehow fittingly to reflect a brand new start, brought brilliant sunshine and a cloudless sky. An uplifting and refreshing start to a brand new year. Hopefully, a year full of new beginnings, new adventures, making dreams happen and creating many more new memories.  

A very 'Happy New Year' to all my readers and followers. I hope it's a good one for you. 

Changing Landscapes

We've had our cocker spaniel Ted for a whole year now. It's always amazing each day on our daily walks how the weather and landscapes look so different. We're usually out a few times a day and even during the day the landscapes and weather can change so much depending on the time of day and what's happening weatherwise. 

It's always a pleasure to be out walking whatever the weather, there always seems to be something new to see or hear. A new plant growing or flowering indicating a new season. Changing skylines as the sun reaches higher in summer, dips low in the winter or even just moves around in it's daily rotation from east to west, from dawn until sunset. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The warm sunshine, howling winds and wet rain on your face. The bird song varying from season to season and from bird to bird... The list is endless. Walking Ted is always my favourite part of the day, enjoying special time with him and time with nature. 

Here's a few pics from each month we've been walking together...

January and a puppy enjoying snow for the first time.

February and the trees are stark and bare, the woodland is wet and muddy, but the sky is blue and the clouds are high above the trees. 

Blue skies in March, the paths are dryer and the farmer's field is brown and dying back, rapeseed is shooting up in the neighbouring field. 

April and the daffodils have arrived, spring is here. 

May and the woodland has changed from mud, puddles and bare trees to a sweeping carpet of bluebells, unfurling buds on the tree canopy and fresh green foliage on the shrubs. 

June and the arrival of poppy time, wildflower meadows and fields full of yellow rapeseed. 

July, high clouds, crops in full growth. 

August and the golden fields as the crops are harvested. 

September and time to seed new crops once more, the fields harvested and ploughed in readiness.  

Beautiful October. Golden, yellows and reds! 

Late October and the fallen leaves hide the grass. 

Early November and the new crops start to grow.

Mid November and the first crunchy frosts of autumn. 

Late November and the days are drawing in, but the late afternoon walk is a treat when there's a beautiful sunset.

December and misty and foggy days descend, but still some stunning scenery as the park gains a whole new look. 

Time to cosy up and do those last minute preparations for Christmas! Wishing all my readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.