23rd February 2026, and after weeks of heavy rain and dismal skies we’re looking for somewhere that’s likely to be dry underfoot. So this week we’re keeping it local. A short bus ride to outskirts of town from where we’ll be stepping over the county border. Woods, flowers 🤞 and water are on the agenda. Please join us
23rd February 2026
A belt of trees hug close to a commercial estate on the edge of town. 🔼Here amongst the younsters are older trees 🔽 and carpets of snowdrops in their season
23rd February 2026
23rd February 2026
🔼 Beyond the trees the fields begin. The sky doesn’t promise a bright day, but neither is it raining 🔽 At last the white blossoms are brightening the hedges (flowers before leaves = blackthorn)
23rd February 2026
23rd February 2026
A short stretch of road-walking lies ahead as we cross the border, though it’s never busy 🔼 but first, here be those puddles! 🔽 Beyond the hedge we can see the sky reflected in the puddles that linger in the tractor’s tracks. All that rain is helping those cereal plants to grow
23rd February 2026
23rd February 2026
Lound Lakes comes in two parts 🔼 The first, anciently cut into a steep hillside, is used as a water reservoir by the local water company 🔽 The second, a former decoy and duck-hunter’s delight, is now a nature reserve
23rd February 2026
23rd February 2026
Flowers! 🔼 Leaves before flowers = cherry-plums 🔽 Gorse flowers autumn through to late spring as if to brighten those dismal days we’ve been having!
23rd February 2026
23rd February 2026
Lound Lake #2. What needs saying? 🔼 You know I love reeds. 🔽Come the summer I’ll stand on this bridge and focus on dragonflies. For now, yes there are ducks and other water fowl, but none within an easy sight
23rd February 2026
That’s all for now, folks. Hope you enjoyed the walk. We’ve still a mile or two to go where a pub lunch awaits. Till next week…and don’t forget Tuesday Treats
crispina kemp 
Loved these glimpses of your walk.
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I wish I could show you more. But too many pics can deter the reader. I try to limit it to 12, then to select the most representative
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Wonderful stroll- I love the trees especially, there is something so special about the different textures of bark I always have to touch a tree’s bark when I’m passing- when I’m not being watched 😂
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Who cares if you’re being watched. Touch that tree, feel its strength and pliancy.
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How nice to see the first blossoms of spring! I am longing for mud right this moment as that means the snow has melted and the warm weather is on its way!
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To long for mud. Wow! Though I do get what you mean. I can’t imagine living through so many months of snow
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Just like a day in the countryside, each set of photos, a breath of fresh air.
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Thank you, Bobby. And you know I love our countryside
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Ahh, delightful… and puddles!
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Amazing they’re the only puddles for we have had rather a lot of rain!
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Beautiful photos. I love the moss on the trees; it looks iridescent. And of course, the ubiquitous mud. It’s good to know some things never change! Happy Sunday, dear Crispina! Thanks for the stroll. 🌳
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