Stepping Up On The Rosary Way

Today was very grey yet again but we decided to head out to The Friars (our local Carmelite Priory) anyway for a walk in the peaceful surroundings of the grounds and were rewarded with a glimpse of glorious winter sunshine.
This shot was taken on the Rosary Way which wends its way around the wooded part of the grounds towards a shrine and is where visitors come to pray or reflect. Thousands of pilgrims have walked this trail in prayer, stopping at each of the Fifteen Mysteries Of The Rosary (joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious) -  represented by icons displayed in the small turret like structures (you can see this on the left of my image) along the perimeter wall - they have their own set of tiny shutters which are closed in winter to protect them from the weather.
I just loved the shadows cast by the winter light and an overhanging branch which created the spiral like effect with the leaf covered steps.