Wednesday 12 January 2011

A wet and wintry walk.



The drugs that I now have to take are notorious for causing depression apparently and today I do feel a little low. Determind not to let it get the better of me I decide after lunch that Tess and I will go for a walk. It is a dismal, grey day, although much warmer "into double figures" the weather man said yesterday, as though this was a miraculous happening.

Not only is it dismal and grey it is also very wet underfoot. Great muddy puddles in all the gateways and the possibility that unthawed ice lurks in the bottom of some of them. Tess doesn't seem to notice as we tramp across the fields to see friends in our nearest village.

We pass two little woods on the way - I have photographed both of them for you. How dark and wintry they look, without the least sign of Spring yet. And the beck, which flows close to both of them, is very full.

Joy of joys, the friends are in. Coincidentally, they have just called to see me only to find me out! I bring them eggs from my hens and they bring me a welcome cup of coffee. The farmer had seen them and told them I was on my way.

We have a lovely chat for an hour and a half, Tess lying on sheets of newspaper as she is pretty-well covered in mud. Then we set off back, refusing their kind offer of a ride round by the road.

We know which bits of the fields to avoid on our return journey, where the driest spots are and where one's wellies can easily get stuck in the mud, so the return journey is much easier. A sudden sound causes me to look up - a huge skein of geese is passing over - maybe sixty or so, chatting as they go and flying North. The farmer always says that geese flying North in winter is a sign of a few days warm weather to come, so let's all make the most of it.

Paul Simons Weathereye in the Times today talks of activity in the stratosphere over the Arctic and suggests it might cause another spell of wintry weather - oh dear. Apparently a sign that it is coming our way will be very spectacular sunsets in advance, so much as I love pretty sunsets I am hoping they never arrive.

today's aros: geese flying North predict a spell of warm weather.

23 comments:

Raph G. Neckmann said...

I'm sorry to hear you were feeling low today, Weaver. I wish you could pop over to Necky Knoll House and have giraffitude cake, tea and songs with us!

Your walk sounds lovely - I do love the muddy days of January, when one can smell the soil and grass again after being covered in snow.

Pondside said...

I'm glad to read that a good tramp with your dog and a visit with friends helped ward off the low period.

kate i said...

Hello, I live on the west coast of Canada but my husband is from Halifax in Yorkshire so I've heard many tales of Yorkshire and the dales. I hope you're feeling better soon...we have wet and dreary winters here too and they can drag on far too long!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Good for you for not letting it get the best of you. Going out into nature and sharing laughs with friends, perfect for uplifting the spirit. I'd love to take one of those walks with you and Tess.

mrsnesbitt said...

Oh no - not more horrible weather! Sorry to hear you are feeling low Pat - I am on the end of the phone Dxxxx

Heather said...

Sorry to hear about the side-effects of your drugs Pat - it's not the time of year for extra low feelings. How lovely to have a friend visit with new-laid eggs from her own hens. I love hearing lowflying geese calling to eachother. Your walk sounded very pleasant inspite of the mud and rain. Hopefully another wintry spell wont be as severe as the previous ones. We must make the most of the milder days.

Helen said...

Be careful walking out there in that spongy earth. You are certainly on the right track ... walking, getting your endorphins in 'up' mode! Hang in there, Pat.

Rusty said...

Perhaps noticing the daylight hours are on the increase will help give you a lift. Spring *is* on the way, or so I'm told.

Oddly enough the latest storm to hit the eastern NA coast is going to miss us completely - again.

Hang in there, groundhog day is coming... Grin. ATB!

Jo said...

A good long walk in nature always helps the body, but a little more sunshine would help to lift your spirits.

It's a good thing that visiting friends trumps both in making us feel better!

Thanks for taking us along on your visit, Weaver.

angryparsnip said...

What a lovely walk and you have a great friend in Tess.
Trying to teach a new trick to the dogs is always a spirit lifter in my home.
I love that the geese where chatting as they flew by !

cheers, parsnip

MorningAJ said...

It's ancient advice but it works - fresh air and exercise is the best thing for depression. And a dog makes that even better.
Take care - and know you have friends here.

Dartford Warbler said...

A good, brisk walk always helps, even on the greyest day.

The evenings really are getting lighter. I notice it when I am outside feeding animals. It is such a relief not to be swamped by darkness at four o`clock.

I found spears of snowdrop leaves breaking through today. Yours will not be far behind. Wishing you and the Farmer an early spring, with no more Arctic weather!

Penny said...

I think winter can make us feel a bit depressed. The terrible floods in Queensland have been distressing, and unfortunately all forms of media are hammering it. One just wants a little time away from it and some light releif.I think a walk is just what I need.

Totalfeckineejit said...

I envy your friends.

Titus said...

Best wishes weaver, we were swathed in mists here all day and the garden is under one inch of ice where the endless rain has just frozen. Easy time of year to feel below par emotionally, and I'm sure the light levels and lack of colour have something to do with it.
I often feel like we must be on a geese flight-path here, but none today. Usually for us it's just around the darkest bit of dusk, so I can just see them in formation. And the noise! I can never make up my mind just what they sound like, but it's never anything avian that I first think of!
Love, better weather and good friends to you.

steven said...

you get to cross fields, walk by streams and pass woods on your way to visit friends!!! steven

Hildred said...

The sight of geese flying, and the sound of geese calling always makes me smile and drift along with them in imagination. Hope your spirits lift, Pat.

Jenn Jilks said...

Take care. I need my wellies in my forest in some parts.
Hope things improve. Good to have friends.

Dave King said...

What you need is a blogger like you to cheer you up each day. Your posts do me the world of good. Hang on for the spring, eh? Every blessing.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Your comments have cheered me up greatly - thank you for continuing to read my blog.

Mary said...

I love your posts but this one especially reminds me so much of home. As a young person living in the Devon countryside, Winter walks such as yours were a daily event despite the wet and cold. Drag on the wellies and a warm coat and off we went into the healthy fresh air - the kids today are so spoiled, most not ever experiencing outings like this.

Hope you are feeling better and looking forward to Spring days.......and drier walks!

Golden West said...

Being outdoors always lifts my spirits. I'm sure wee Tess and her antics keep you either smiling or shaking your head, depending on the level of mischief!

All that snow you've had will make for extra lovely fields and blossoms this spring.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"geese flying North predict a spell of warm weather."

Odd, I stayed in today as the day was grey and I, acccompanied by a tad of depression, couldn't muster a walk. Watched a movie entitled Sweetland. There, quite a significant moment when the geese flew south at the wrong time of year.

Geese? North/South? Grey day. I'll think of you when I have my coffee in the morning. Must mean tomorrow will be better. Yes?