Family outing

Last Saturday 28 March was the 7th anniversary of Tony's departure from this earth. We had our annual pilgrimage to his memorial gate and seat near Leek. As usual the weather was very cold but we managed to make the ascent and take photos before it rained. In fact this year we had a flurry of hail stones before we bid a retreat to the warmth of The Abbey pub and a superb meal together.

Jamie, Tracy, Graham, Allison, Simon, Sophia and Victoria

Special Hellebore

This is a Hellebore called 'Betty Ranacor'. I have waited 5 years for it to flower after purchase.

It has 8 flowers and resides in the courtyard outside my kitchen door. I have just had this area revamped with a membrane and pebbles. Black/purple hellebores have spread here too, which are wonderful when the light catches the petals.

Winter Flowers

ODE TO THE WITCH HAZEL

Each day I shuffle down the broken path
Just to inhale your sharp lemony fragrance.
Soother of rheumy eyes.
My interest sustained by delicate flowers of filigree
On knarled old branches.
Zest of my youth long gone.

Apedale

Yesterday we went for a walk in Apedale Country Park which is off the A34 from Congleton before you get to Newcastle under Lyme. It has been reconstituted from coal and iron ore workings and has a network of good paths rising up to a pithead sculpture at the summit. On a good day you can see for miles but this day all we saw was cloud. Woodland abounds with abundant wildlife. There is good free car parking and I was amazed that the visitor centre was open for refreshments and meals at this time of year.

www.apedale.co.uk

Jean's garden in snow

These images were taken in early January when I woke to a magical garden transformed by the white stuff!

A Day out in Derbyshire

On a cold wintry morning we set off to visit various places of interest within an hours drive of home.


First stop was the car park at Grin Low country park near Buxton to don boots for the short ascent to Solomon's temple.

http://www.follytowers.com/solomons.html






Then we needed a hearty home made soup at The Duke of York pub on the A515 Buxton to Ashbourne road to get warm. http://www.pubinnguide.com/pubdetailsidx3257.asp






Arbor Low Stone circle was next on the agenda but we didn't linger as the wind was bitterly cold, but long enough to take a few images of pre-historic and 'post-historic' man! If you want to know more see http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001001001013002001001








Finally on no trip to this area can I resist a visit to the Brierlow bar discount book shop.

http://www.bookstore-derbyshire.co.uk/



All in all an excellent day out in January.

Winter Light

Trent and Mersey canal near Middlewich





Field near Astbury

















Astbury Mere Country Park