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07/09/2020

Chasing adventure

On a whim, we went out, we had planned to stay home this weekend, do a few chores, bit of gardening, keep the cats and the house company. But the cats went out, the garden promised to wait and Zeb was calling.
We packed light, only intending it to be a day's walking, taking food and warm clothing and (on a just-in-case basis) I slipped our toothbrushes and a change of clothing into the van. If the evening turned out to be beautiful and wild, we may just linger longer and find somewhere to stay.
The forecast had it for sunny all day with the very occasional and probably miles away showers. So we just jumped into the cab and pointed Zeb to the hills, following his nose and stopping where he took us. There was light rain on the windscreen, but it did not matter, we were off on a micro-adventure with a bit of a devil may care feel in the air!
As we parked up, the heavy clouds massing slowly above our heads could no longer hold their load. We only just managed to close the door behind us as a sharp shower thundered down. It did not matter - we had the kettle on, we were warm and dry and while we curled our fingers around far too hot mugs, we watched as the view slowly began to clear.
Boots and coats, hats and scarves firmly attached, we stepped out of a dripping wet van into the most sublime lemon yellow light with scudding grey and white clouds. Moss could not be more excited, leaning forward into her lead, nose forward and ears alert.
Our trail, one we have walked for years, brings back so many memories. The one that is the most vivid is of a walk before Youngest was born although he was there with us. Eldest was barely two and a half and we'd not been living in the uk for long.  I was sorely missing my African home and very uncomfortably and heavily pregnant. We walked up the drovers track, into the woodland and through the small but beautiful wildflower meadow. A small Eldest ran ahead, his face beaming and his blonde hair ruffling in the breeze. We sat, the three (four) of us, Eldest sharing an orange with me as we looked over the view. Seems such a long time ago - yet with a blink it was only yesterday.
 Our present walk took us through the  same woodland, we had been watching the horizon with one eye as the sky was darkening and seemed to be rolling towards us again. We sheltered in the trees, listening to the rain dashing against the leaves while we were just lightly spattered. It was a rather special feeling, listening to the deluge around us, watching through the branches as the sky changed colour, hearing the wind tearing through the leaves whilst we were dry and protected.
Then, as quickly as it arrived, the rain left and for one glorious moment or two, a rich flash of sunshine. The rainbow, fleeting, was beautiful as was it's softer pastel shaded second bow.
Our return to the van was a mix of gentle sun slipping through the heavy grey wash of clouds, the colours muted with spots of brilliance. Stripping off the wet coats and boots, rubbing Moss dry and feeding her we decided that as much as we would love to stay, the call of the house, a warm and crackling fire with the cats was greater. So we jumped into the cab, drove Zeb to another spot with a far reaching view and ate whilst we watched shower after shower race across the distant valley and surrounding hills before setting off for home.
Often the not planned-plans are the best. The simple pleasure of walking, good company, a dilly dog and the delight of returning to the van, putting on the kettle and wrapping chilled hands around a steaming mug - bliss.
Sunday will be the day for gardening and the cats - I promise!

21 comments:

  1. Lovely post again. Thanks for sharing your magical day. ๐Ÿ™€☕๐ŸŒˆxx

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    1. Thank you, simple days like these are precious x

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  2. A delight to read. I was there with you cradling my hands round that hot mug. Lovely family memories too. The skies are glorious at this time of year. All change. B x

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    1. Thank you ๐Ÿ˜Š you are correct about autumnal skies, they are the most active this time of year.

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  3. What a wonderful adventure. It sounds like you had the same forecast as me for my recent adventure. It was supposed to be dry with a little sun and I got rain too! Sometimes those adventures that are not quite planned are the best aren't they, a slight bit of spontaneity. Yours sounds wonderful, thank you for sharing your words and photos.

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    1. Yes, there is a certain delight that comes with spontaneity๐Ÿ˜

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  4. I love seeing the difference that Zeb has made to your adventures :-).
    Just think, if G. had not been at home on furlough, the build might not have been completed so swiftly . . .

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    1. Definitely, am loving the adventures we are having!... he is in the process of redesigning the interior....๐Ÿ˜

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  5. If it feeds your soul it should be a priority. There will always be jobs to be done and another day to do them on. We too took advantage of the lovely weather and walked locally with friendsx
    Arilx

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    1. I totally agree, it certainly makes doing the normal stuff easier having come back refreshed by adventure!

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  6. Sounds heavenly. If I were fitter I would be Moss!

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    1. She does love her walks, we get such pleasure seeing her delight. ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿพ

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  7. Heavenly!!!! Loved photos of your mini adventure & the memories it sparked for you to write about. Thank you.........take care, stay safe & huggles.

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  8. Loving your adventures. It must feel great for you 3 to just set off. I bet Moss wishes she could drive.

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    1. It is lovely setting off and I'm glad Moss can't drive otherwise she'd be off!

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  9. Lovely to have a Zeb - it must make walks even more of an adventure.

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  10. Aw that sounds a heavenly thing to do. Permeability keep some toothbrushes and a change of clothes on hand so your always good to go. Is it something you have ever tried in the winter? Or will it be far to cold being out in Zeb then? I know you have written how winter does get you down sometimes but maybe Zeb can help with day trips maybe on a cold frosty or even rainy day, just as long as you are cosy. X

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