What a great weekend it has been with some lovely spring weather at last! Yesterday was sunnier and warmer than today but both have been great for getting out and about. This morning we went for a walk along the disused railway line between Oakamoor and Alton. Although the trees are still quite brown and leafless there were signs of Spring here and there and we did see some interesting things.
The paths seemed to have dried out a little and were less muddy than during the wet winter
The sky was quite blue
In the distance the towers of Alton TowersTheme Park, closed until mid March. Usually you can hear the 'roar of the crowd' when you walk near here later in the year.
There were some interesting reflections in the water which collects at the side of the old railway line.
At this point I spotted Llamas! 'Llamas ahead', I called to Paul who was photographing birds high in the trees and hadn't seen them. I think for a second he thought I was joking. We had a little chat with the leader and guide of the llama trekkers who said they were Llama Adventures based near Uttoxeter.
The approach to Alton Station.
The station buildings belong to the Landmark Trust and you can actually stay there.
We went up the steps and on to the main road into the village of Alton to photograph the castle.
Alton Castle which is now a Christian youth centre and retreat.
Many of the trees were under water and their roots were probably rotting away so there were lots of dead branches covered in fungi.
These two lady riders were enjoying themselves in the sunshine. I wonder if they met up with the Llamas?
I know I've taken you on this walk before, in September 2009 in fact, so it was time for another visit, here is a link to the post I wrote then
Llamas! Not something you see every day... how wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt must feel quite eerie walking though the old station..
It is sometimes eerie if you are on your own but on this occasion there were plenty of people around on some sort of woodland weekend - plus the llamas and trekkers of course:)
DeleteI've really enjoyed your walk and how about those Llamas! what an amazing thing to come across on a walk, I'd love that to happen to me! I'm off to google Alton now to see how accessible it is to us. x
ReplyDeleteNot sure how accesible it would be for you, Suzy. There is a bus that runs from Stoke Station to Alton Towers when it is open but I'm not sure if they stop in the village as well - if they did you could walk down to the station and take the walk - it goes in both directions:)
Deleteadorable ... I felt I was walking out there with you... just wish I really had been... great shots... Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen, Darcy and Bingley - I'm not sure what those llamas would have thought of you two lovely boys:)
DeleteWe've just this minute come in from our afternoon walk and sitting down with a cuppa, isn't it just lovely to get out there now. We didn't come across any Llamas though. Plenty of squirrels and birds and oh so peaceful in the woods. Your walk looked lovely Rosie.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
It has been a lovely day, the birds and squirrels are very active now it is warmer and we saw quite afew birds carrying nesting material:)
DeleteLovely photos, Rosie - I enjoyed that walk! Strangely, I some llamas yesterday - just outside Abergavenny, in a field. How odd to meet them on your walk, though. Have a good week. Abby x
ReplyDeleteI love to see unusual animals as you pass by, there are some ostrich in a field on one of the routes we take. I think that walk has become a regular llama trekking route:)
DeleteHow wonderful to have come across those llamas! Oh, to have the lifestyle to have a horse to ride on!
ReplyDeleteJune
When we got back to the car park the ladies were sorting out the horses and getting ready to put them into a horse box with a huge 4x4 to tow it:)
DeleteThis looks like a lovely walk with so much to see. It must have been quite surreal coming across llamas in an English woodland.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny when you see things out of context? As I saaw them at a distance they looked like horses but as we got closer I could see the llama shape:)
DeleteA lovely walk :)
ReplyDeleteIt was, thanks Louise:)
DeleteWho would have thought to see llamas on a day out walking! Looks like a lovely day. x
ReplyDeleteI expected to see horses, dogs and cyclists as well as walkers but certainly not llamas:)
DeleteLovely - Its not everyday you happen upon a pack of Llama's in Staffordshire! xxxx
ReplyDeleteLooks like it is going to be a regular thing along that route so I'm hoping to see them again one day:)
DeleteWhat a surreal moment, so nice you caught it on camera. I love that area and one of my best school memories was stopping at the youth hostel in Dimmingsdale. We must have walked for miles over the course of the five days. Thanks for bringing back the nice memories, I hated school!
ReplyDeleteGlad that my post brought back some happy memories for you, Amanda. It is a lovely area and I'm sure there are loads of walks there that we haven't discovered yet. I loved my junior school but hated senior school:)
DeleteSo pleased the weather has been kind to you :) it was freezing cold in London last week!
ReplyDeletex
The weather has been lovely over the last few days. I hope you had a wonderful time in London with your friends:)
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