It is a truth universally acknowledged that if Ian decides to drag the binoculars round on a walk, no birds or wildlife will be seen.
We awoke to a bright but chilly day and debated what to do. We settled on a walk we had seen in the information room, with a pub half way. Lunchtime food meant porridge for breakfast to leave some room for later. “I think I’ll take the binoculars”, Ian said before we departed. I turned away before he could see me roll my eyes and smirk. Looking at the OS map, the walk appeared to be downhill all the way there, and uphill all the way back. Never mind.
Leaving Dame Shirl for the day
The first half mile or so was along the motorway we went along yesterday, before we turned off onto a quiet lane. The sky was so clear and blue I had to put my sunglasses on. Soon we left the road and crossed a field. We proceeded to go downhill over several undog friendly styles. Ian would have had to lift any of our dogs over. Good job we didn’t take them. Eventually we came to a lovely Norman church in the village of Dethick.
Up one field
Down another
Any birds out there?
Lovely Dethick church
We continued on our downhill way, descending through a wood and crossing a stream before arriving in the village of Lea where the Jug and Glass awaited us.
Through the woods
Ian got some beer In and we ordered food. Ham, egg and chips for me, and steak for him. There was a nice fire going and we passed the time discussing all the jobs Ian has left to do now he is retired.
Beer
And food
After we were sated I took a look at the map and decided there was a nice way back we could go, through the woods to a different road. We set off that way following a nice wide path. Eventually we came to a locked gate with barbed wire on top, leading into a field of sheep. Across the field was another gate, then the road we were heading for. “We can easily climb over this barbed wire topped gate into the field the farmer dosen’t want us in”, Ian declared. “No way am I scaling a barbed wire fence” I declared back. Looking at the map there appeared to be a footbridge over the river below, then we could take a roundabout route to the road. We set off in that direction, Ian having to haul me across many little streams, fast flowing due to the rain. We took another look at the map. Nope. We were nowhere near the footbridge. So we headed back the way we had come, up the hill to the church. From there we turned left and arrived by the same field of sheep we had been about an hour before.
I crossed this!
At this point we picked up the bridleway up the hill. This was, in essence, a small stream. Luckily we had our boots on and it was easily dealt with. It came out on the small road, then eventually the motorway. The sun was setting as we neared the campsite. It was a glorious evening, and we had had a glorious walk. Perfect weather for the time of year.
The bridleway river
Sunset
Back at Dame Shirl we had a cup of coffee before I went for a shower. Push button. Great! I could use my birthday pressie from Vicky. Sadly, the pipes were not conducive and the device did not work to keep the button pushed in. I continue my quest to find a chance to use it. By this time the sun was almost down and
the sky was spectacular.
Amazing skys
It was sandwiches and carrot cake for tea, then we settled down for quizzy Monday. Unfortunately the internet, which had been amazing yesterday, was playing up and Ian had to try all sorts before we could watch. There was a question about football promotion/relegation on Only Connect that we got immediately. That cheered us up. Then it was off to bed in snug Dame Shirley.
A wizened old hag (Trademark Ian!)
From Ian’s Strava
From my OS maps
Notable events
The thin blue line on my OS map is where we went wrong. It must not be a footpath as OS dosen’t even recognise it.
We have discovered a new feature on Dame Shirley’s App where you can set a timer for the heating to come on. It’s a life changer.
We discovered that Florence Nightingale was a frequent visitor to Lea. Maybe even to the Jug and Glass.
Ian saw two buzzards which he spent ages watching through his binoculars!
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