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.