16 December 2014
After almost a whole week with no walking of any kind unless you count from the bed to the loo, the December hundred miles were looking more and more doubtful. My little Tuesday morning jaunt up the Big Hill, steep as it is, and a wander around the garden didn’t really help matters. Still, I had a plan to get a few more miles under my belt before I went back to work on Wednesday and this involved a little night walking. Continue reading Night walking and shining lights
16 December 2014
After my Tuesday shopping trip and a little rest while I drank a warming cup of coffee, I decided to go out and see how my poor neglected garden was doing. At a glance, apart from the bright yellow flowers on the mahonia, it looked rather barren. The tall spikes of starry seed heads on the garlic chives added to the sense of desolation and I wondered if there’d be anything at all to see. Continue reading Surprises in the winter garden
15 & 16 December 2014
Being ill and housebound for almost a week has meant not only a lack of walking miles for December but a decided lack of photos or things to write about. There was a fair bit of looking out of the window from the sofa when I was awake but the energy to pick up the phone and take any pictures of what I saw out there was decidedly lacking. On Monday Commando drove me into town for a little more Christmas present buying but, still feeling a little wobbly, the only picture I took was of one of the cheery decorations on a stall in the German Market. Some presents were bought though so I’d call that progress. Continue reading The holly and the ivy
8 December 2014
As I walked through the gate into the woodland behind the Bursledon Windmill I wasn’t entirely convinced no huge, slavering dogs would appear. At first I was looking around nervously but, when I spotted some jelly ear fungi on a fallen branch, I forgot all about dogs. Looking closer there were patches of some semi translucent, creamy spots that looked suspiciously like slime mould on the same branch. As I’d probably only walked about ten paces at this point it seemed like a good sign. Continue reading One walk, two woods and lots of fungi
3 – 7 December 2014
Over the last week the weather has got markedly colder. Hats, gloves and scarves are the order of the day when I set off for work in the morning and, even then, the icy air nips at my fingers and nose as I walk. Down on the river the swans and cygnets huddle by the bank in the mornings seeking what little warmth they can get from the low sun. For the cygnets it’s their first winter and, after such a mild start to the season, they must be wondering what is going on. Continue reading Winter starts to bite