Walking into 2024

The first day of 2024 dawns full of promise - bright sunshine streaming from a cloudless sky. Unfortunately, we’re all rather less than sparkling, somewhat hungover after last night’s revelries, and by the time we get out to the country park, the clouds are gathering. There are still patches of welcome winter sunshine, and the cirrus patterns in the sky are beautiful.

Our walk takes us past  Heron Lake where I spot a lone grebe and a cormorant who leaves his perch to skim across the reed-fringed water. Crows pose nonchalantly on fence poles, as we zigzag across the canal passing two locks with their mini waterfalls of silky muddy water.

Back to base, a restful afternoon morphs into an evening of game play where we are successful in regaining the ‘Britannia Trophy’, a small cup we complete for every year!