Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Friday 30 October 2009

Blowing in the Wind

Rushes on the south coast near LymingtonQuite often, at this time of year, we can be found luxuriating near Lymington, doing a bit of bird watching and country walking in view of the Isle of Wight.

The snap of rushes, blowing in the wind, was taken on 27 October 2005.  It seems a distant memory, as we spent today taking Susan to the airport for her flight to Boston, and then catching up with an assortment of ‘house admin’ on an overcast autumn day.

Leaves for tram, slavering at the prospect of a fine Thai meal…

Thursday 29 October 2009

Dunham Massey in Autumn (2)

Dunham Massey - the hall, from the entrance path

For Susan’s last day in the UK…

…what better than a trip to Dunham Massey?

Where the Canada Geese were gorging themselves on the half-term holiday offerings, and the beech leaves were turning quite coppery.

Beech leaves at Dunham Massey

A walk around the park saw Sue and Susan admiring the autumn colours.

Sue and Susan in Dunham Massey Park

But the privacy of the rutting deer was respected, and we didn’t get close enough to photograph a fine fellow with his nubile hareem.

Sadly we won’t be consuming any venison tonight, as a ‘third party dietary issue’ has dictated ‘Market Gardener’s Pie’ rather than our more usual carnivorous fare.

I’m sure we’ll survive!

Wednesday 28 October 2009

Wednesday 28 October 2009 – A Stroll in the Arnside/Silverdale AONB

View towards the Kent estuary from near the summit of Arnside Knott

Today’s 10 mile stroll with Susan brought us to this point for lunch.  Normally the Lake District’s peaks would be laid out before us, but today we sat on the bench with a couple who had escaped from Windermere.

“Torrential rain and huge traffic jams” they reported.

Susan and I reflected on the luck of our easy journey to Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve, from where this pleasant country stroll had started.

(To be continued.)

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Tuesday 27 October 2009 – A Café Somewhere in Wales

A cafe somewhere in Wales

They stopped serving at 12.20, so we enjoyed our own butties inside this café with no view.

Perhaps on a mountain

Outside, the visibility wasn’t much better, but at least Susan could smile from the highest point she will reach on this trip to the UK.

Susan tries to spot the Lake District, allegedly 100 miles away

Later, we could look back to the vanquished pimple from which the cloud had now dissipated.

Mountain rescue training in progress

Monday 26 October 2009

This, That, and The Other

Just a quick entry as life is acceptably busy this week, after a hectic weekend, with Susan over from Connecticut and trying to make the best of our Autumn weather.  More detailed entries will perhaps follow in due course.

This (below) is an image from Saturday afternoon, on the descent to Ingleton from Gragareth, after my six companions for the day had elected to turn back towards our starting point in Dent.

The view towards Ingleton from Gragareth

A view from near Thwaite Lane, by Clapham

That (above) is Sunday morning’s view south, over fields of the Yorkshire Dales, from near Thwaite Lane – by Clapham, where a group of 24 of us fumbled our way across the moorland, eventually emerging from the road to Ingleborough Cave in rather showery  weather.

Most of the 24 strong group

The Other recent activity was today’s ascent of The Matterhorn of the Peak – Shutlingsloe, with Susan, who posed on the misty summit with her posh new gaiters before the flask came out.

Susan on the summit of Shutlingsloe

Next: A visit to a café in Wales?