Thursday 1 January 2015

A Snowy Walk

Hello Lovelies,
on the very last day of 2014 we all headed out for a winters walk.
It's been so cold around here that the snow which fell on Boxing day was still around, but with warmer weather forecast I knew it wouldn't last much longer.

We drove in to southern Derbyshire, to THIS National Trust property. The house is shut up for winter, but happily you can still walk the grounds.

The paths were icy as we walked along the shady path by the lake.........


and the lake was still frozen.........


On the hill above us we could see a silhouette........


Of a pretty Deer who looked amused at our slip sliding ways.......


Happily, as we climbed up the hill, the walking became easier. The parkland looked lovely.........


and Deer grazed peacefully.........


The National Forest Way, a long distance walking route, passes through here so the are plenty of well marked paths and gates.......


........into fields, where the white winter countryside looked beautiful..........


Back in the parkland the woods felt open and were flooded with sunlight.........



Beechnut casings littered the floor..........


and fluffed up Robins were easy to spot in the bare branches.........
 


I loved gazing out over the snowy parkland.............


It really was a wintry scene.....where any patch of green stood out.........


There were some amazing veteran Oak trees.......I wondered how many hundred years old this one is.......


The boys were more interested in this giant snowball and they dashed off to try and make it bigger.....


Back at the house the stables were open to view......I do find these more utilitarian places interesting.....and they housed great toilets :0)........


the outdoor picnic area was understandably quiet...........


But the cafe was doing a roaring trade...it was it was so busy we had to sit outside in the chilly courtyard....but it was not unpleasant with your hands around a warming drink.........


Afterwards there was  just time to walk past the sheep....who were searching for grass under the snow.........



And admire the house from behind the locked gates...........

It looked lovely in the watery winter sun.

Today the weather has warmed up and all the snow has vanished. I'm so pleased we managed to get out and enjoy it one last time.

Here I would like to wish all you lovelies a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and to thank you all for your kind words and friendship throughout 2014.....they mean so much.

I do hope 2015 is kind to you all and the people you love.
Jacquie xxx



29 comments:

  1. A lovely walk! The snow here disappeared as fast as it came down last night! It was strange waking up to a green landscape again after so many white and frosty days!
    Happy New Year :)

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  2. Your photos are beautiful especially the one with the sheep grazing at the end.
    Wishing you a wonderful New Year across the pond.
    Susan

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  3. What a lovely day out! We missed the snow here in Cambridge, and I know my youngest son would love a walk in the snow.

    Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  4. A lovely day out enjoying the snow while it lasted :-) We are the same with the snow now melted, a blessing so that I can walk outside again without falling over!! A very Happy New Year to you xx

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  5. Happy New Year! No snow here yet, just lots of frost. That fluffed up robin is adorable! x

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  6. Happy New Year to you and your family! Another lovely wintery walk full of gorgeous snowy scenes. I especially love your deer photos. Still no snow here, though, which I have mixed feelings about!
    Cathy x

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  7. Beautiful photos on a lovely walk!
    Happy New Year!

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  8. A very Happy New Year to you and yours and thank you for all the lovely walks.
    xx

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  9. Happy New Year to you Jackie! All the best of crocheting things! xx

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  10. Jacquie, it looks like you all chose a perfect place for your snowy walk. Your photographs truly do show the variety of the areas open to the public and the pleasure such walks can bring (along with those delicious hot drinks!)

    A very Happy 2015 to you and yours. xo

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  11. Happy New year to you. I have a snowy walk on my blog too. The light in your photos is amazing. snowy days make for great photos with blue skies. Jo x

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  12. What a lovely winter walk, we had some great weather for walking on the last days of 2014 didn't we. xxx

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  13. Happy new year to you Jacquie! much love, Sam x PS love the robin pic x

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  14. Oh thank you for the lovely snow pictures.. and of course the beautiful historic home. I loved the barn area. We haven't had much in the way of snow so far.. I do like having one pretty one! :-) I hope your next year will be fantabulous! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  15. oh that looks beautiful, Happy New Year to you! xx

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  16. What a beautiful spot. NT properties in winter are gorgeous aren't they. You've made me think about one not too far from here, I'm wondering if it's also open. I shall investigate. The picture of the icy lake is gorgeous. Wishing you and yours a very happy New Year Jacquie. CJ xx

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  17. Happy New Year to you and yours, may it be a happy peaceful and healthy year for you

    Jackie x

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  18. Wow these beautiful pictures helped cool me down as the weather here is hot hot in Oz xoxo

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  19. Thank you for taking me along on your lovely snowy walk, Jacquie! Our snow is still all up on Mt. Hood but the air in the valley is cold and crisp. Wishing you and yours a most happy 2015 xx

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  20. Thanks for a year of lovely photos and here's to next year.

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  21. Happy New Year. It looks like a lovely family day out. I'd have struggled with the icy path! I love the picture of the deer. I wonder if your sons photos are similar to yours or if he sees it differently? X

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  22. One of my favourite places! How wonderful to see it in the snow - and even have Bambi pop his head up for a picture! Looks like a memorable walk Jacquie. Big hugs to you and your family for a happy and healthy 2015 x Jane

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  23. A nice countryside.
    Happy new year!

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  24. Happy New Year! I had to smile a lot at the deer pic! Such a cutie!

    There is no snow in my part of Germany anymore, just rain... Wish it would snow some more!

    Take care
    Anne (Crochet Between Worlds)

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  25. Thank you for those chilly snow pics - it's been 30 degrees overnight, so hard to sleep, and a 40 degree day with hot winds forecast for today. I feel so much cooler looking at frozen lakes and snowy fields!

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  26. Dear Jacquie,

    Ooh, I love the deer, robin and sheep pics! I also admired the other recent robin pic you posted. Best wishes to you for 2015; may you enjoy your family and your surroundings, including plenty of satisfying walks and photography.

    Cheers, Alexine in Maryland (no snow here; we anticipate rain next week, and meanwhile we have manageable cold weather)

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  27. Love this house, so interesting, looks great in the snow
    Caz xx

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  28. Beautiful pictures! Calke Abbey is a wonderful place, even better covered in snow! Chatsworth House is also worth a visit :)

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  29. Your deer's portrait is my favourite - I love the composition and colour balance and it made me smile :-)

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