Under January Skies

There are plenty of reasons not to be here; I have a warm house, a comfortable armchair and I really could have done with another cup of tea. The view from the window looked bleak and the weather forecast was less than inspiring. But here I am trudging along a muddy field path as dawn breaks with the idea that there might be photographs just waiting to be taken. Somewhere.

Some people take dogs for walks at this unholy hour but I take my camera. Like a dog it makes me linger in places where I otherwise wouldn't. Sometimes it takes control and leads me where I hadn't intended going. Occasionally it bothers other people but at least it doesn't bite!

What was I expecting to find? Well, not this. A bunch of roses wired to the corrugated-iron fence of a scrapyard. It must have been in memory of someone's passing, I suppose. The rain and frost have made short work of the blooms but have left instead a strange melancholy beauty. But here comes the sun.....
  

.... burning through the bare branches. I squelched and side-slipped across a muddy field, crossed the railway track and picked up the old road, which is now just a half-forgotten path through the trees.

Sheep in a field suggests spring is around the corner, even if there are no lambs yet. The camera always takes an interest in sheep but, unlike some dogs, it doesn't chase them!

I love the muted colours and weather-beaten appearance of this old cottage door with its rusty letter-box.

Suddenly I'm aware that the sky is putting on a show - a mackerel sky, often the precursor of a band of rain. That's Melbourn church in silhouette.

This modernistic shelter has recently appeared in the corner of a local playing field. A rather skilful graffiti artist has decorated it, though I don't suppose it'll be long before less artistic persons add their marks to it.

Down by the little chalk stream in Melwood the first snowdrop of the year has put in an early appearance. It must be blessed with a remarkable micro-climate here because it's way ahead of other snowdrops which have barely poked their heads above ground.

Nearly home and the sky is playing its tricks again causing another slight diversion to find an appropriate viewpoint. And while I'm there I notice these fungi.

And now at last I'm nearing my back door. The camera has had its exercise. The kettle will soon be on.

Take care.