Snow...my favourite...NOT!

Swans on The Dove

I suppose it's still an adventure if you don't go far or do much, especially when there's wet snow falling, the streets are slushy and the spinney across the way is a skating rink... a mud rink that is. I've never encountered such slippery mud. I am happy and proud to report...I did NOT fall down! Wouldn't that have been a treat! Autumn & I did a small new-direction walk and I discovered it came out on a familiar street. Oh,such adventure! Reluctantly,I admit there's a beauty in big fat snowflakes falling and in seeing how they change the landscape. The pictures today look as though they're black & white.After we returned from our walk, the sun burst forth(just like on the Coast) and we enjoyed brilliant sunshine for the short afternoon.Yes, there's always joy to be found...even in snowy January!

How far is 2 miles, anyway?

The walk
Another perfect day. Cool. No wind. Streaky cirrus  clouds painted on the watery-blue winter sky." Let's walk to Tutbury," I said to Autumn & she, ever ready to walk anywhere, agreed. It's a 20 minute walk they told me. After what seemed like much longer than 20 minutes we weren't even out of Rolleston... at least I didn't think so. I spoke with a couple en route who assured me I was going in the right direction but cautioned me there would soon be no 'pavement' ( sidewalk) and to be mindful. We walked and we walked  and still no signpost for Tutbury but never mind, its still lovely and I'm enjoying the views, the weather and the canine company.
"Ah, there's the turn and the sign for Tutbury."
I pick up the pace, envisioning by this time a pint and a bite of lunch at the local pub. "Sitting for a bit will be most welcome," I said to myself , "and I'm getting peckish." 

  

I'm not jumping into that!

Along the way
After another 1000 miles, we encountered a couple walking briskly out of Tutbury. "Oh, it's about another mile," they said. "No, there's no short way back to Rolleston. You have to re-trace your steps."
That did it!
About face. March!
I may look happy in this picture but  I can assure you, the earlier euphoria had long since evaporated and my feet were now yelling at me.
"Up and at 'em, kid,"  I said sternly to self and so, up and at 'em I got.

Just a wee rest...
The sight of the church spire in Rolleston energized my feet and shortly thereafter, I was back 'home' with feet happily elevated. It seems an hour and a half is a tad too long for me to walk. More training required. Meantime, "What time is the bus?"

Aaahhh... the joy!
 

Another perfect day. Cool. No wind. Streaky cirrus clouds painted on the watery-blue winter sky. Just the day to walk to Tutbury... a 20 minute walk they said.

I'm Not Eating Today

Do you know what this is?

Typical countryside

At least I found the direction to Stretton on this walk but still haven't managed to get there. No worries... it's all about the exploration and enjoying the countryside.

The mucky bit...

Autumn and I managed the mucky bits, asked for directions...the woman looked a little puzzled when I said, "If I knew where I was, where would I be?" (that was possibly a bit 'Irish' for her) but she gave me directions with good grace and a smile.
We passed a small herd of shaggy coated cattle standing in muck at their hay feeder and several winter-coated ponies in another field.
I'm surprised to hear so many birds singing from the hedgerows. Do they think it's spring?

The River Dove

Upon my return home, I dried Autumn's feet, left here with the others and walked beside The Dove to get my reward!

The reward!

More eating...

Harbinger of Spring

Sustained by a breakfast of smoked salmon (a gift from my friend, Jeremy) and cream cheese on toast , I'm ready to get the day underway. Patchy cloud in a blue sky and a temperature hovering at freezing indicate a good day for a walk. After I've taken all three dogs for their morning constitutional, I think I'll find the public footpath and walk to Stretton.

The Local Butcher's

Friend Jeremy also brought these gorgeous daffodils. He knows how much I love them!

The gaps in the meat tray in the photo are where the butterflied lamb chops lived before we whisked them away for a lovely lunch before Jeremy and Del headed back to London yesterday. Butcher Dave in Sechelt has reason to be proud of his shop.  It's certainly on a par with this one. Here though, the lamb is local. Is his?
 These agreeable dogs make no complaint as they snooze while I write, but I bet they'd enjoy an outing!

Friends...

Jeremy, Del & Me

Missed the morning coffee at the church. Forgot entirely about the fish & chip van that rolls into the village at 6 on a Thursday. Those potential delights paled by comparison in having friends from London come for an overnight visit. They arrived at mid day and we visited all afternoon after taking the dogs for a stroll. Del even helped me sort out my camera settings ( I knew the Universe would provide!)
Eventually we set off to The Spread Eagle pub which is just around the corner where we enjoyed more chat, draught ale, red wine for Jeremy, and a delightful meal. I had calamari, Jeremy the scallops and Del started with a prawn cocktail. These were beautifully presented by a chipper young server so it all started well. Fish pie and roast chicken, the mains, were delicious and who could then resist the large profiterole (cream puff) which I had and the raspberry sorbet chosen by Jeremy? Del was too full for dessert... I can't even imagine being too full for dessert!  The Spread Eagle is a delightful spot. I shall surely return.
Just a short walk home in the cold, damp fog where we ended the evening with tea.
I am so pleased they drove up from London to visit and wish they were staying longer. However, duties beckon in London.
Jeremy & I realized we have now known one another for over 40 years and we do manage to see one another at intervals. In the interim, thank goodness for emails!
I am so very grateful for old friends!  

A Local Lunch

Local residents

I see these beauties every morning on the dog walk. They are better viewed from a bit of a distance. Their beauty belies their nasty personalities!

The homeowners left yesterday morning  so after walking the dogs I decided to go and find a bite of lunch. I had passed a group walking earlier and one of them commented on Autumn, the lovely standard poodle. Another dog walker had told me the day before that the Rolleston Club serves sandwiches and lunchy things so I hopped across the road and went in. A group of about 20 people  (seniors, I'm guessing) were hanging out and chatting in the corner and I recognized them as the walking group I had seen earlier. As I stood in the lineup at the bar waiting to order my lunch and deciding what kind of half pint I would have, the lady behind me struck up a conversation. When I sat  at a nearby table, she invited me to join them. Of course, I did and now I can walk with a group as many days in the week as I choose.  Someone gave me directions to walk to two nearby villages as well. Of the three people I had actual conversations with, all had a connection to Canada. I do love this small world!

Set off to find the butcher shop after lunch to do a little reccy in case I decide to cook dinner for my friends who arrive from London today. Although I had been there before, it doesn't take much to muddle me, so I had to ask directions before I found it.  Steak and mushroom pie? ( Alas, no more kidney) A quiche? Gammon? Really, I can never see past the lamb in this country as it is always local and very good. Bought nothing but came away with a plan... it will be a rolled lamb shoulder roast, if I cook. I think they would call this a 'joint' as opposed to a 'roast'.

The route home took me past this building. It has stood the test of time well, huh? There are lots of similar buildings, and of the same vintage around here. Many were former farmer houses converted now to private homes, pubs, and hotels.

Glorious sunshine yesterday and a heavy frost overnight... beats the heck out of rain!

Note the date

A village stroll...

No front gardens.

The other side of the road

Much to her owner's surprise, Autumn, the standard poodle, voiced no objections to a solo walk with me yesterday. We wandered past this area and then I decided to venture on to one of the clearly indicated public footpaths that led across the fields. It was a bit mucky at the beginning but easy walking in the grass after the start. We crossed a couple of field and I whipped out my iPhone to capture a typical English field but I learned later it had frozen.  Stay with me though. There will be more pictures as soon as I find an adaptor plug which will accept my camera battery charger. We passed a glorious 5 ft forsythia in full bloom. I had to check and make sure it was real!
I had really set off to find the butcher shop and was one street too far over. Since I had no camera, I obviously  wasn't meant to get there yesterday. I do want to share with you the joys of an English butcher shop!
Morning coffee in the church basement tomorrow and the fish & chips van at 6 pm. A lot of excitement for one day!