Winter wonderland

Hello. After staying in all day yesterday, I was ready for going out today. It is nice to walk the same route in different seasons, so off I went down the track across the fields. 

I knew there would be mud, ice, and snow to contend with so I got an old pair of boots out. I used to wear them a lot when I first started walking, before I could afford a proper pair of walking boots. They are very heavy, thick soles, and waterproof. I headed off towards the bench. It was a slow trudge, the sun was shining, and I felt good. The left boot felt a little tight, and my foot was beginning feel sore where it was rubbing my bunion. 

I got to the bench and sat for a while. I was well wrapped up, it was pleasant to sit and watch the clouds. They turned from fluffy white to dark grey. The blue sky was gone and I could see a storm approaching. I decided then that I would turn round and go back. My foot was sore. Part of the walk goes along a road, and some of them haven't been gritted. There was a chance that there would be compacted ice so I didn't want to risk falling over. It was slow progress walking along the tracks, it would have taken me a lot longer to complete the full route. It made sense to go back. 

The boots I will have to give away. Perhaps someone who doesn't have bunions could make use of them. Luckily the storm blew over and it didn't snow until after I arrived back home. I took a few photo's. Even a winter wonderland is beautiful. 

This tree is quite some distance away so I zoomed in. I think the clouds behind it make the perfect frame. 

I like the way the sideways blowing snow has stuck to the trunks. 

This is my favourite. The stark skeletal trees against the atmospheric sky. I wonder how David Hockney would paint this. 

Four quite difficult miles walked. As soon as I got home I prepped a pan of stew, adding a packet of macaroni cheese. It was lovely. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona