Tuesday, 15 January 2008

Ugh, ugh, ugh


And ugh again. It was dark, wet and windy. The sort of morning when all I want to do is pull the duvet round me and stay put. But I know I'll feel better for the walk and it's never as bad out as it looks from inside. Usually. There is nothing to say today apart from the fact I wore my 'big boots' for the first time this winter. These are bigger than my Brashers. Tougher for extreme winter weather. But we haven't had any for the last two years so I thought I'd wear them anyway. And they quite comfortable but very clompy. Here's a photo of all my walking boots. From left to right - my Doc Marten dog walking boots (not my dog, another time), my 'big boots' and the abysmally treated Brasher boots that I wear most days (as featured in my profile).

Cow parsley reaches its peak

Cow parsley reaches its peak

Eerie trees in December

Eerie trees in December

Essential reference works

  • OS Explorer 211 Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
  • RSPB Pocket Birds Dorling Kindersley 2003
  • Complete British Wildlife Photoguide Collins 1997 My 'nature book'
  • The History of the Countryside Oliver Rackham 1986
  • Flora Britannica Richard Mabey 1996

Inspirational books about walking

  • The Rings of Saturn by W G Sebald - walking takes you to all sorts of times and places
  • Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkein - let's face it, what is it about but a very, very, very long walk. And by page 3 I'm inspired to do anything (apart from finish it)
  • Cold mountain by Charles Frazier - how different Inman's walk would have been if he'd had a fleece. To be honest Ada and Ruby farming was more inspirational
  • The thirty-nine steps John Buchan - no really it's not a joke - lots of tramping around Scotland
  • As I walked out one midsummer morning by Laurie Lee. The slow way to Spain but fantastically described.
  • A short walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby. The title alone should be enough to get you out there.

Frosted head of hogweed

Frosted head of hogweed
February 2008

Frozen heads of hogweed

Frozen heads of hogweed

Dried heads of hogweed

Dried heads of hogweed
One cold frosty morning