Now we are back in full lockdown I took a walk along Christchurch Road to the
field leading to Honeylake Wood.
So far so good. I was not quite the only walker leaving footprints on the muddy track leading to
the leaf-laden undulating path down to the bridge
over the fast running stream. Reaching the bridge was the trickiest bit. As I slithered down the muddy slopes I grasped at branches rather too flexible in order to keep my balance, hoping they would hold and not dump me in the morass.
On the way down I was able to take in the surrounding woodland.
Soon I was on the upward, firmer, track,
bordered by undergrowth containing mossy logs, a discarded welly,
and bracken-covered woodland.
At the top of this slope I turned for home – just carrying myself and the camera was all I could manage, let alone use it, as, head down and gasping, I retraced my steps and staggered home, aware that I had seriously overdone it. I collapsed into a chair and rested for quite a while.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy pasta arrabbiata with which she drank more of the Rosé and I drank more of the Malbec.
The walk looks very nice, Derrick, lovely countryside. I hope you are OK, I have a compromised heart, so I can’t walk or hike like I used to. Rest and be well. 😊🇬🇧
I’m OK thanks very much, John.
Happy New Year, Derrick! So glad you made it home safe and sound. I do wonder about the owner of that left behind wellie. Did he or she slog homeward with one soggy foot and one dry foot? Or, did some malicious enemy just toss the wellie into the woods unbeknownst to the owner. I expect we will never know.
I guess not. But there may be a story there, Laurie. Thanks very much X
You certainly got some beautiful photos during your long walk. I like that pale winter sun, and the shadows and light on the leafy path. I hope you’ve recovered–I think a rest and dinner must have helped. 😀
I’m fine. Merril. No harm done. Thanks very much.
A wonderful walk where you captured the beauty!
I love how the sunlight plays into so many of your photos…bright, warm, hopeful, joyful!
Sorry to hear you overdid. 🙁 Hope your rest brought you back to shipshape. Bet Jackie’s delicious meal pepped you right up again! 🙂
HUGS and Happy New Year!!!
🎆 🎇 🥳 🎆 🎇
A HUGE Thank You to you and Jackie! You two, your garden, and all of your photos added much needed joy to 2020!!! 🙂
Thank you so much from us both, Carolyn. X
you’d better take care; we need this blog… Happy New year to you both!!
Thanks a lot, Geoff. I’m OK. And to you both
Wishing you a very happy and peaceful New Year Derrick and Jackie.
Take good care.
x
And to you both, Melanie X
Thank you.
x
Wow.. wonderful photos Derrick, and I’m tired just clicking onto each one, let alone attempt that arduous muddy walk through the bush…
Thank you so much, Ivor 🙂
My gosh, Derrick, what an experience. Damn our brains that don’t listen to the messages from our bodies. I’m very familiar with this phenomenon. Take care, Derrick. We need you healthy and uninjured in 2021.
Thank you so much, Sue. I’m OK now.
A happy new year to you both. I felt your pain when i looked at the muddy walk. You did well to get back.
Thank you very much, Tootlepedal. When I reached the road again I was very close to asking Jackie to come and get me. Happy New Year to you both, too
I am glad that you made it under your own steam. Kudos for that.
🙂
Beautiful and interesting image captures, Derrick. That overextending can sneak up on you: it has me too on occasion. I must admit I chuckled and tried to picture you slithering down the muddy slopes as you grabbed for a sturdy bough for support. May you and Jackie have a Happy New Year.
Thank you very much, Maj. 🙂 The same to you and Sher
It looks like you had a beautiful sunny but cold day to see out 2020, Derrick. Our best to you and Jackie for a better 2021. Be careful, and stay safe!
Thank you so much, Lavinia. You are right, it was around 0C. The same to you and Rick.
Happy New Year to you and the Chief of Every Darn Thing.
May your year be full of liver and lamb! <3 <3
Thank you so much, Yvonne, from me and the Chief. 🙂 XX
You need to rest that finger, Derrick. Thanks for all of the photos you’ve shared in 2020. Wishing you, Jackie and your family a peaceful new year! xo
Thanks very much, Jill. The same to you and Derek.
Derrick, my best wishes to you and Jackie in this New Year <3
Thanks very much. The same to you, Rosaliene X
It happens to me from time to time; I get halfway along a path, and suddenly realize that heading back from whence I came is going to be as problematic as going forward. I know that “head down, gasping” business. It’s still better than sitting in front of the telly, wondering where the biscuits have gone off to!
🙂 Thank you very much, Linda
I hope you’re all right Derrick.
I particuarly like the sillouetted trees on the edge of the Honeylake Wood. They immediately brought to mind Winnie the Pooh.
Thank you very much, Liz. I am OK.
You’re welcome, Derrick. I’m glad to hear you’re okay.
I’m glad you made it home safe and got some rest. We need to be careful on those slippery slopes. Sometimes I think sitting down on a log to rest would help, but I rarely do. I love the bracken in the woodland with tree shadows. Best wishes in the new year!
Thank you very much, JoAnna. The same to you.
Beautiful pictures. Hope 2021 is a year full of blessings.
Thank you very much, Mrs W. You, too
Thank you.
Happy New Year. Hoping you won’t be affected by that new variant of Covid 19 Derrick. May God keep you in his care always. Keep safe.
Many. thanks, Arlene. You, too
Happy New Year to you and your family. Stay healthy! I am sorry to read about your new lockdown.
Thanks very much, Bridget. The same to you. It had to come
Happy New Year ! And this one is going to be better than the last one!
Yep. And to you, John. Thanks very much
It looks muddy and treacherous underfoot.
It really was, Sheree. I’ll stick to the flat next time. Thanks very much
Happy new year Derrick and Jackie! The photos are beautiful. Mossy trees always make me feel cosy, no matter how cold the weather. Hope you are fully recovered for another ramble through the woods.
Thanks very much, Sam. I am fully recovered, but I won’t be taking that particular walk any time soon. Your good wishes reciprocated
Oh dear Derrick hope you are okay. Wishing you and Jackie a Happy New Year x
And to you and yours, June. I am fine – just don’t know when to stop 🙂 X
More walks in 2021. Happy New Year to you both!
And to you and Kim, Andrew
Your walks seem to have made your knee rehab go by more smoothly. But we’re the ones who have benefited from all the fantastic posts!
Thank you so much, GP
Take care of yourself, Derrick. Lovely views, though!
While watching the photographs of the wild and the stream flowing silently besides the description annotated, I reminisce the days in my own village and walking in the jungle.
Wishing you happy, peaceful and prosperous NEW YEAR – 2021.😊 😊
The same to you and your wife, Harbans
I reciprocate the sentiments Derrick sir.😊😊
Goh …, moet de kuierlatten ook maar eens uitproberen …, daar zou mijn huisarts Jesse de Feyter echt gelukkig mee zijn: wandelen is gezond & je wordt er niet zo schitzo van! Maar, we zitten in een lockdown en Amsterdam is een drukke stad … >Kutwijf woont in de mooiste stad van de hele wereld . . . , zit te verpieteren achter de geraniums … <
U bent de eerste aan wie ik zal bloggen, dat ik naar buiten ben geweest … , ja … Beloofd!
Blijf gezond in 2021 & Stacey ook … , euch … JACKIE ook een gezond en een héél gelukkig 2021!!!
* Amsterdam, 1 – 1 – 2021, 16.10 uur … Hollandse Wintertijd * http://www.friedabblog.wordpress.com *
Heel erg bedankt, Frieda
beautiful pictures as always! so easy to get carried away in the midst of nature, Derrick. glad you’re okay. Happy New Year to you and Jackie! 💛
And to you and yours, Lola. Thanks very much. X
Take care of yourself, Derrick – I’m reading these posts in reverse order so I’m glad to see that you’re up and about again. Happy New Year!
You, too, Barbara. Thanks very much.
Even though it took a bit out of you, it says good things about the state of your knees. 😀 … well done.
Thank you so much, Widders. You would know. X
Oh dear. It sounds as if your mind made an appointment your body couldn’t keep. I know you are now recovered, but there must have been a moment in that walk you were ready to phone for the domestic goddess to collect you.
More than one, Gwen, but I had to get to the road first 🙂 Thanks very much.
A long and difficult walk but so well worth it! That rains of sunshine makes everything looks prettier ☀️
Thank you very much, Ribana
Happy, healthy, and safe 2021, Derrick and family! You have shared marvelous, very moody photos here, but please do rest up and feel better!
I’m fine, now, Dolly. Thanks very much – and the same to you and your husband
Thank you for your kind wishes, Derrick. I was MIA for a few days; we had escaped to Key Largo. I am catching up with WP reading material, yours being one of the first on my list.
🙂
Glad you didn’t bite it! Gorgeous scenery here, even with all that mud. I wondered at the state of your shoes at the end of that day. Hope you rested first and cleaned them the next day.
I wasn’t about to do anything when I got back 🙂
That looks like a beautiful place to walk! I hope you are doing well now, Derrick! Happy New Year. 😁
Thanks very much, Patsy. Fully recovered 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick! Yay! 😀