Here we are at the start of the New Year and once again in national lockdown! Feels like Ground Hog Day right? Are you feeling the same way?

I am so thankful we live where we do. Chris and I are able to get out into the fresh air with the countryside literally on our doorstep. We have the best of both worlds living within 5 minutes walk of the centre of the town centre and yet we are also 5 minutes walk from nature and the countryside. When I’m struggling, and I don’t mind admitting that sometimes I am, getting out helps me stay sane.

This was the scene on one of our regular dog walks in the dene just below our house. Our house is at the top of the slope a few yards around the corner on the left hand side. The dene is forever changing with the seasons and there is always something that catches my eye.  

It is the route we often take over a little stone bridge that crosses the stream on the way up to the old town reservoir, where a small nature reserve was created a few years ago.

The other morning the surrounding hills were covered in about 5cms of snow and the water had a thin sheet of ice on the top. 

It’s a haven for wild life, the ducks get pretty well fed by the regular users of the place, dog walkers, parents with small children suffering from cabin fever and men fishing on the platforms that were put in for that purpose. 

The ducks were lined up for a swim and the seagulls were hunkered down on the ice looking miserable, or maybe their feet were trapped in the ice. Who knows!

The light, colours and textures are so very different at the moment, muted greys, dark browns, golden ochres, with spots of bright red from the rose hips and red berries on the hawthorn and the tangle of snow covered branches against the bull rushes.

Marley was pleased to get back to the car and out of the cold. He is totally unimpressed with this kind of weather. 

He was even less impressed when we took him out again in similar weather on Sunday, except this time it was actually sleeting and snowing. Chris lent him his brand new Northumberland tartan scarf. This placated him for a short while we sheltered in the trees before going for the ‘summit’ of Warden Hill, the site of an old Iron Age Fort. The spot subsequently became a Roman Fort and you can see why.  There is a full 360º view of the surrounding countryside so you can see any invaders and be prepared for them before they land in your lap.

So 2020 has ended (ignominiously) and 2021 has begun with a national (but fully expected) lockdown and with a splendid moonlit night with the sparkly lights in our yard. 

Chris and I hope you are navigating all this as well as an be expected in the hope that soon, we will all get through this relatively unscathed. Happy New Year!