Thursday 4 January 2018

Thwarted

Yesterday I thought I'd repeat the local walk I undertook back in October and wrote about in the post Familiar Ground. So once again I set out from my back door..... 


The familiar and reliable clump of snowdrops was flowering near the little River Mel in Melwood. The floor of the wood will eventually be sprinkled with snowdrops but so far there's just the two clusters showing.


The tiny stream whispered its way beneath the little bridges, a Grey Wagtail flickered downstream and further along a Little Egret silently rose on snow-white wings. Despite the stormy night the river was at its usual level and there was nothing more than a few twiggy branches littering the footpath.


As I emerged on the roadside the church looked very fine in the winter sunshine. I turned right along the village road, past the field with the horses, down the lane to Malton, then picked up the little-known path to Shepreth.


A muddy path followed the edge of the field. I added some big boot prints to the dainty tracks of a Muntjac Deer that must have passed by earlier.


Wood Pigeons clattered up through the branches as my steps threaded through the strip of woodland.

The tightly confined track narrows the vision down on to the details - the lichens, mosses and fungi - on the fallen trees and branches.


Not many people pass this way as can be seen by the way the grasses encroach upon the path, seen here from the height that a passing fox might view his way ahead.


Aha! The realities of winter walks in the English countryside!


We're in Shepreth Meadow now, where there's this neat little pond to provide water for the cattle that are kept here during the summer months. It's probably fed by the River Cam which is just behind those bushes.


The proud but battered willows alongside the river defy the passing years.


It was becoming clear that the water was no longer confining its activities to the course of the river but was beginning to spread its wings and invade the meadow. Aided by determination and waterproof boots I negotiated this bit but was later brought to a halt by an impassable flood. Thwarted. Nothing for it but to turn around and retrace my steps.



Take care.



25 comments:

  1. This time of year Floods can thwart a lot of walks especially if you want to walk along the Thames though even in the countryside you can find very flooded fields

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your poetic descriptions, John. How fortunate you are to have winter without tons of snow!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I enjoyed your walk, even if your planned route was impassable. In years past on familiar turf I've attempted to cross soggy bits--often regretting my determination. One slip of a foot, muddy water over the top of a boot and the return walk home is a chilly experience.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love walking this 'familiar ground' with you John. I enjoy your words as much as the images.. have we done this walk in autumn?

    ReplyDelete
  5. So lovely! Walking along with you through the photos it's as if Spring is around the corner.. a bit early for that though ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. So pretty. It almost looks like spring instead of January.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am amazed by the green--and the flowers! We are all gray and white with snow here.

    ReplyDelete
  8. How frustrating.... Plenty of mud on my last walk but I did manage to get all the way round, despite the river level being very high.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for taking us along on your winter walk. Love the snowdrops!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so pleased to see the snowdrops as we have none appearing as yet! I most enjoyable walk & no wet feet! Oh well I hope you take us when the weather dries up.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's always the same clump that goes flowers first every year - it is in the cemetery near me

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think your only option might have been a raft!! Some beautiful photos captured, despite being thwarted. Love the shot of the old bridge crossing the stream.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for taking us along! I love the snowdrops. They are always a great sight in winter.

    ReplyDelete
  14. A beautiful walk, I think. Love that big old tree...I believe you called it a willow!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a comforting familiar walk. But I can never believe how early the Snowdrops bloom in England when we have two feet of snow! And yet you're 7 degrees of latitude north of us!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Snowdrops! A beautiful post. Temperatures here below freeezing for more than a week-- I needed a walk in the woods.

    ReplyDelete
  17. It does look an awfully muddy walk but the sky seemed nice to you. nice shots on the way. When you get down low to get that super photo of the snowdrops can you get up easily? I can't.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I just love plants that bloom in the winter! The willow is pretty amazing! I have a similar willow near my house that I've been trying to figure out how to photograph. It fell over several years ago, and yet manages to leaf out each spring.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Another beautiful winter walk there. Nice that you got some sunshine.

    ReplyDelete
  20. A delightful post John with some lovely photos - especially those snowdrops - 'if winter comes can spring be far behind

    ReplyDelete
  21. A beautiful walk, John. Your photos are spectacular especially the one with the old bridge. Must be an incredibly nice and quiet walk. Those are the best ones.
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The weaher looked good for your walk and how wonderful to see those snowdrops:)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Lovely photos. Snowdrops are so pretty. My dogs get filthy on our walks, a quick hose down doesn’t work, I have to shampoo them!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Even lovelier than last time :) Great to see some snowdrops, they'll be another few weeks around here!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'll try to answer any questions via a comment or e-mail within the next day or two (no hard questions, please!).