Sunday walk

Or ice and mud walk!
The forecast was good, though a bit less bright than promised, so we decided to walk. We would normally be at church on Sunday morning but just doing written services at the moment as church is closed so it’s possible to be flexible.

We thought a walk on the Great Northern Trail in Cullingworth, our neighbouring village, would be mud free.
It was but the paths leading to the main trail and even some on it were largely frozen compacted snow. Very tricky.

Once we got going and on to Hewenden Viaduct we decided to do the full circuit of the reservoir below. Mistake. A bit of mud and snow still around but on reaching East Manywells farm it was a not wholly unexpected quagmire. We’ve been here before! (Corinthian!) Three horses in a smallish corralled area equals mega mud. Last time it was cows so this was slightly better but I was still up to my ankles. I normally wear Muck boots but not today - it was going to be a no mud walk! Never mind quite a bit was washed off boots in puddles through the rest of the farm.
The blip shows the reservoir, viaduct and what used to be the a reservoir cottage just before hitting the mud!
I always enjoy walking around here as there is so much from my childhood as on other walks around this village.
We walked back through the village to avoid those icy paths and spotted a friend at her kitchen window. We stood in their drive and had a good distanced chat.

Home for coffee but not before stripping off muddy trousers and getting them in the wash. Feel happy to relax and chill this afternoon now.