After visiting Ashbourne on Wednesday (see my last post) we spent Thursday at home with friends who had come over from Nottingham to visit. We had a lovely day chatting, eating, catching up on news and exchanging presents. On Friday we drove out to Bridgemere Garden World as I had some vouchers that needed to be used before the end of the month and a broken bird feeder tray to replace - I think the winter- plump squirrels must have been too heavy for it! Saturday we had a stroll around the lake at Trentham and Sunday was spent mostly indoors as the weather was awful but not, I have to say, as bad as it is this morning when knocking at the front door woke us at 6a.m. - nothing to do with visitors but the Christmas spray on the door, which was fastened to the door knocker, being tossed around in the wind.
In complete contrast to today, the weather yesterday morning was cold and sunny. We set out to take a walk at Tittesworth Reservoir just beyond Leek.
The snow on the hills looked just like an over-generous dusting of icing sugar on top of a cake. This just made me smile as I made a lemon sponge on Wednesday evening, ready for Thursday's visitors and I dusted over a little too much icing sugar but I didn't, unlike Kirsty Allsop on Kirsty's Homemade Christmas, blow the excess off as she did from her chocolate log just before the judges had to taste it!!
In the distance the rocky outcrop of The Roaches glistened in the low, bright winter sun.
It was firm and crisp underfoot
and it was cold enough to wear the hat again!
I thought that the water levels at Tittesworth were much higher than those we'd seen at Carsington last week.
As we were heading towards the car park there was a great cacophony of sound as dozens of geese flew over with a honking, swirling, flourish some landing on the water and some on its grassy bank. This one was watching us closely to see if we might have anything to offer in the way of sustenance. Sorry goosey!
Hope everyone had a super New Year's weekend.
Water levels were well up when we drove over the Trent yesterday. It's been raining a lot.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've had more snow than us too.
In Leics. we haven't had any snow but terrible storms practically aqua-planed all the way in the car. You are braver than me to venture out in such weather. Don't know the area but it looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteI like the image of 'winter plump' squirrels!!! I didn't like to see Kirsty blowing all over her yule log either!!! Your walk yesterday looked lovely. I wouldn't fancy chancing it today! x
ReplyDeleteLovely descriptions and pics.
ReplyDeleteThese photographs remind me once again how much I do love winter!
ReplyDeletewe woke up to a light dusting of snow but it soon melted. We were on the Roaches (via Tittesworth!) on Sunday afternoon, when most of the snow had disappeared. We didn't stay out long as it was very windy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Stephen Booth recommendation, I have read about the authour in several places but haven't read any of his books yet - I'll add some to my list! I was looking at 'The fossil hunter' in waterstones recently but I was put off as the book itself had very thin paper and was really floppy, which I don't like! I might look out for a hardback or better quality version as it looked like an interesting read.
I just wrote a huge piece about my neighbour roasting a squirrel - then remembered you were vegetarian!! The walk looks great. xxxx
ReplyDeleteI'm with Elaine .... I don't venture out in poor weather, unless I have to got to work. We had a terrible storm this morning for the first day back! Ugh!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your photos, so I can see all the lovely places you've been to, without leaving the comfort of my fireside!
xxx
Lovely photos. its been so windy today, but the odd bit of sunshine was very welcome.
ReplyDeleteLove your outing, makes me want to go visit. Also the one to Ashbourne (which I must visit again soon). Wild and windy overnight and also today here, with a few quieter sunny spells too!
ReplyDeleteI really must go and walk around the Leek area this summer, it looks beautiful with the dusting of snow. All the river levels round here are up though I haven't been past any of the resevoirs recently. Bet you're glad you bought that hat!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Rosie. No snow in the soft south, but we do have plump squirrels too, stripping bark off of the lime tree in my garden. I thought squirrels hibernated before we moved here!
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely, Rosie, typical winter scenery, which we haven't seen much of recently, at least around here. Good in some ways, but I do like all that deep and crisp and even sort of weather too.
ReplyDeleteAnother pleasant trip with You !
ReplyDeletePhotos are gorgeous !
Stay well Rosie !
Love the geese! We haven't seen any snow as yet down here on the South Coast! Happy New Year to you and yours. x
ReplyDeleteThey certainly aren't short of water up in Cumbria. The becks are full!
ReplyDeletelovely shots.. I do feel that I have a clearer head now, thanks! happy new year.. Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx
ReplyDeleteI love those Winter days when the ground is crisp and crunchy underfoot. Lovely day for a walk.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Rosie!
What beautiful countryside!!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your kind and thoughtful comments:)
ReplyDelete