My Walk 1000 miles in 2015 Challenge

Hello Lovelies,
back in January this year I was looking at  an issue of Country Walking magazine when I read about their challenge to walk 1000 miles in 2015. I loved the idea and decided to join in. I first wrote about it here.
I dutifully recorded all my outdoor "intentional" miles walked on a calendar. So all I have counted is walks, walking to the local shops and walking to and from my car at work ( as I choose to park further away from the building than I need to)

At first I shared my progress with you lovelies monthly February HERE and March HERE. Having that beautiful Derbyshire calendar to record all my miles on certainly inspired me.
I didn't keep telling you all my monthly statistics as I thought it would get a bit repetitive. But I can report now that the most miles I walked in a month was 105 miles and that was in September.
December has been a bit rubbish actually with only 56 miles walked ( you need to average 82 miles a month to hit the target)

So, the big question....did I manage it?

Well I had 13 miles still to walk in Christmas day. I did some walks this week when it was dark and windy and I would otherwise not have bothered. When I got up this morning I had just 2 and a half miles left to go....so close....eeek...would I manage it?

I decided we should all go on a family walk to mark the occasion. I didn't want to pass the "finishing line" as it were all by myself on a local path I've walked so many times before.

So we got up bright and early and headed for Derbyshire. To somewhere I've shared here before Dovedale

After a windy and rainy day yesterday it was so nice to see the sun............

We crossed the little wooden bridge over the swollen river Dove............

and carefully picked our way along the muddy, slippery path.........

There's an easy path on the opposite bank but it means crossing the stepping stones here to be able to carry on....today they looked a tad scary........

It's such a beautiful place and I half wanted to climb the pointed hill here ( Thorpe Cloud ) but not all members of the family were keen and it is a steep and tricky assent........

So instead we plumped for an easy stroll by the river........

There's still quite a few ups and downs on route ( which you know I love)......

The 111 steps ( yes we counted them) up to Lovers leap are filled with fossils.........

And at the top the sun was just peeping over the hillside.......

The opposite side of the valley was looking very wintry....eldest reminded me the the last time we were here we thought it looked like a rainforest it was so lush........

Yes, definitely winter.......

But still so beautiful.......

 We got to about here and decided to turn back. One day I will do a proper long walk here, but today it was just about keeping everybody happy and walking those last few miles of my challenge.........

When we got back to lovers leap we stopped for a little refreshment and a photo opportunity...as it was time...the 1000 miles had been walked........

My lovely sister in law and niece who joined us even brought bubbles to celebrate! Thank you so much H and H x

 Arriving back at the stepping stones we witnessed a rather dramatic moment as a toddle fell into the water. He  was quickly rescued by his dad, thank goodness........

Nope, still not risking those stepping stones...nobody was........

Youngest was wearing his wellies and made the most of being able to wade along the edge of the river while we gingerly clambered over rocks.......

Oh yes he loved that bit the best.......

 Thankfully we all got back with out anybody getting wet, and said a goodbye for now to the beautiful Dovedale........

I didn't plan to finish my challenge on the last day possible, but it all worked out perfectly in the end. 

I know I'm lucky to have older children who don't need me to be at home all the time...and a very tolerant hubby who likes to walk and doesn't mind me disappearing  on solo walks regularly either. He even puts up with me spending a day a week going out adventuring with my beloved walking group.

So what's in store for 2016?...well more of the same I hope. I'm going to record all my miles again....it's very easy to do. ( I use THIS site to plot where I've been and work out distances) 

Here's the link to the challenge run by Country Walking magazine. It's less than 20 miles a week you know.

 If you can't get outdoors to do all the miles it's possible to count all your walking...that way the challenge would be much easier to reach but still a good incentive to be active.

Here's to starting all over again tomorrow :0)

Happy New Year Lovelies.

Jacquie x 

Daily December :: the 28th

Hello Lovelies,

I love these slow days between Christmas and new year. When there is no need to rush and leisurely breakfasts are a simple pleasure. I'm a convert to porridge this winter. 

One cup of porridge oats, two cups of milk. warm in a pan and you have two steaming bowls of creamy porridge.........

 we have ours with golden syrup...easy and delicious.

As I stirred I gazed at my second bowl of hyacinths  beginning to open up....pink this time.........

I love their delicate flowers but I can't say I have noticed any scent yet.........

After a late breakfast hubby and I headed out for a walk with a friend. There was no hurry and it was nice to be able to agree to eldest's request to take his new bike in the back of the car.....and then watch him speed off around the lake as we walked and chatted.......

I loved the watery sunlight.........

and the swans making ripples in the lake.........

Just before we left I spotted a colourful Jay...........

Spare hours this afternoon meant I could relax with a little watercolour sketching in my small sketchbook........

I was feeling inspired by this photo I took on Christmas day and shared in yesterday's post..........

simple and slow.....birds, flowers, family, friends and a little creativity......

days like this make me happy.
Jacquie x

Daily December :: the 27th

Hello Lovelies,

how was your Christmas? Ours was mostly about the familiar traditions we have got used to over the years. Foody traditions like nuts in their shells and jewel coloured chocolates.......

 Family traditions like this wonderful Christmas dinner at my sister and brother in laws...we are so lucky to spend the day with so many family members...14 this year.........

After all the rich food a traditional walk is very welcome, about 4pm , when it's dark and everybody's lights look so pretty...and a few homes still have their curtains open so you can peek in on the festive scenes :0).......

Since Christmas day the weather has gone back to mild and rainy...we are very lucky it's not as rainy as further north where the scenes of flooding in my beloved West Yorkshire and the surrounding areas have been quiet upsetting. Here it's just muddy and puddly.
 I went for a short walk this morning and spotted these pretty Ivy berries, glistening with raindrops.........

 How I love to hear the beautiful  notes of the Blackbird.......

A sweet little Dunnock was hopping about in the Silver Birch tree too..........

I liked this simple wreath on this garden gate..........

Though in truth the wet conditions made walking on the footpaths a muddy and slippery affair......

I only did a mile and a half so I still have 11 and a half miles to squeeze in before Friday if I'm to hit my 1000 mile target for the year....it's going to be a close call :0)

Back home I smiled at the sight of my best Christmas prezzie....a wonderful bench made from scraps of wood by eldest for his dad and me ...........

I think he did a brilliant job for a 15 year old and it's so sturdy. Just needs a little bit of sanding and some preservative now.

I do hope your Christmas went well and you are enjoying the holidays lovelies.

Jacquie x

Daily December :: the 24th

Happy Christmas  Lovelies
Right now it's almost midnight and I'm waiting for my boys to go to sleep.
It's been a busy day of housework and cooking as we have family over on Christmas eve. Just 14 of us this year....a nice number and plenty of these four small walls to cope with.

As is my usual tradition I've been making a decoration for my sister in law and family as they very generously host Christmas Dinner at their home for all the family.

Here's my last minute make ( finished late on the 23rd ) .....

There are so many free patterns out there for crochet Christmas trees. Due to the time factor I chose a simple one from Ravelry and had fun with the colour changes and added beads........

I think it's the 6th or 7th decoration I've made now and they all come with a little tag...........

The afternoon was chilly but sunny and I decided to grab a little fresh air about 3.30pm. It made me smile to see there will be no post collection until Tuesday..........

 Enjoy your rest Mr Postie...you have earned it.

The low sun was making the allotments glow...........

Red Hawthorn berries caught my eye...........

and black Ivy berries...........

I even ignored the signs and trespassed onto the Allotments. I loved seeing the stalks of Brussels sprouts and took only photographs..........

 please don't put me on the naughty list father Christmas :0)

As the sun set I headed home...........

I think I love the moments before guests arrive the best...when all the work is done and the house is tidy and it's time to light the candles...........

Merry Christmas Lovelies,
Jacquie x