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14/10/2020

Mud maketh the walk (muddy!)

Dawn brought respite after the all night rain. We'd parked beneath a deciduous tree and all through the night the rain drops landed on the roof making our van as musical at a kettle drum. A lovely metallic sound...all..night..long.............all......... night........looooooong.......

I managed to get a fairly good night's sleep however Himself was very groggy and tired and needed a good strong brew first thing before he felt anyway human!
Moss dragged us out after breakfast  as we stepped into the woods. There were several other vans quietly hidden between the trees, most of the occupants seemed still asleep, although there was one sleepy eyed vanlifer clutching a steaming mug whilst he sat on the step, we nodded a mutual silent greeting almost like a secret club as we walked by. 
The air was filled with bird song accompanied by the steady crunch of our boots on the woodland paths. Moss bounded ahead, following invisible trails of scent as they pulled her along.
The path suddenly reached the edge of the trees and left us against the side of a vast open moorland with mounds of flowering heather and silver birch trees. A weathered abandoned fence post looked for all as a small wooden Easter Island statue, making us both smile at the incongruous sight. 
We re-entered the trees and began to head downwards along a puddle riddled track - Moss was delighted and threw herself into the mud and pretended to be a wallowing warthog, grinning and wagging as we walked towards her.
Along our route, we chanced across an abandoned hamlet so we explored and imagined who lived there and what the buildings were. We even found the old orchard with an apple tree weighed down with glossy red apples - unfortunately despite the urge to attempt a little scrumping - we were unable to penetrate the thorny scrub that protected the tree.
We walked for most of the day, through farmland, over moors, along tracks, through woods, by villages and alongside roads. We stopped and sat next to a fast flowing small brook for a break, giving time for Moss to swim while we drank tea and rested. A long section of the path had been hard going, mud filled, slippery and boot eating. We were tired. 
 On the return journey, the air cooled and the sky faded to a gentle blue, bird song turned from the daylight chittering and twittering to the garrulous evening chorus as they jostled for roosting space in the trees. The blackbirds being the most argumentative of them all. 
The last stretch to the van was the hardest - uphill with a section along the road - but it meant we were nearly 'home' or is that nearly 'van'?!
As we turned into the trees we discovered a small memorial viewing platform, so we stopped, breathed in the cooled air filled with the scent of autumnal decay and trees' breath. 
As we turned away from gazing at the valley we'd spent most of the day walking up one side and back down the other - we saw we were being watched!
It was bliss to take my boots off, to put the kettle on and to sit down. Moss had been fed and was fast asleep on her bed and our food was quietly cooking. That mug of tea was like nectar!


Then, after we'd eaten, I curled up in the bed, with the back door open and watched the woods gradually darken whilst I caught up with a bit of slow sew and Himself read his book.

Another good wild day - despite the mud - it was really good.

xxx

16 comments:

  1. Love, love, love the bird you are sewing. A good walk too! Looks like you've worn Moss out or is that impossible? Keep walking! x

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    1. Thank you - chuffed that you like the bird - it destined to be a journal cover :) Moss recovers after a short nap where as we need a little (ok a lot) longer!

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  2. What beautiful stitching!
    Moss is just gorgeous, she looks so happy. x

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    1. Moss make each day a special one because she absolutely brings such joy to everything :) Glad you like my slow-sew!

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  3. Once again I have to add I love your narrative writing. Along with the amazing photos you paint the picture so well for the readers that I can practically smell the rain ,the damp undergrowth...and the woods. Wonderful walk!! Thanks for sharing :-) Moss as always adorable!! keep well Amanda x

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    1. Thank you Amanda :) Yes Moss gives such pleasure and makes us laugh with her antics - a brilliant walking companion (if a little muddy on most occasions!)

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  4. Thank you for taking me on that tour of a part of the country so different to here in Suffolk

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    1. Thank you Sue - yes quite a different terrain to Suffolk :)

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  5. Wonderful. There's nothing more restorative than a long walk in the great outdoors. I love the feeling of complete tiredness that comes from fresh air and exercise. X

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  6. The slow sewing is very therapeutic isn't it. Arilx

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  7. You've done it again!!! Lovely photos & evocative words, so a big thank you from me. I was hoping Moss would find somewhere to wash off after her mud wallowing. I love the old stone barn & the one eyed monster tree (giggle). Thanks again, take care, stay safe & huggles.

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  8. Again thank you for sharing your walk with us all. Such glorious views and walks through the woodlands. I too wondered where Moss would find to wash off the mud then felt sure she would find a clean stream somewhere. xxx

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  9. PS. Love your slow sew bird. xx

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  10. I love Moss's ears. They are so upright and make her look so inquisitive. Glad you had a wonderful day.

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