Jo’s Monday walk

Jo’s Monday walk : Bełchatów

I may have misled some of you, but I’m staying in Central Poland for this week’s walk. I expanded on a little of the family saga last week in Zawady, the village where Dad was born. Today we’re taking a stroll around Bełchatów, the county town, some 7kms and a bus ride away.

B is for Bełchatów covers much of the town’s history, so we can simply concentrate on how the place looks today. (Bew-ha-toof is very roughly how it’s pronounced) The Tourist Information office is small but friendly, and perfectly placed for our start, on Ul. T. Kościuszki. Ignoring the map in my hand, I’m drawn to a passage beside the TI, with a glimpse of green space beyond. I follow it and find myself in rather a nice park.

I cross the bridge over the lake and notice a canal leading off through the park. The imposing building in my opening shot proves to be Muzeum Regionalne, a late Baroque listed manor. I wonder about its contents, but my curiosity about the water is greater. I follow it, out beyond the park. On the map it’s shown as Rakówka, and Olszewski Park.

I wander a little way to see where it leads but, when it seems I’m getting too far from the centre, I double back through the houses. A street corner church thankfully looks familiar, and I’m back at the junction of 9 Maja and Kościuszki.

I look at the signs on shops for clues as to what I might buy there, hoping to purchase a few small gifts for the family. My niece Ania and husband Hubert are shopping at the new shopping gallery and Tesco’s, but this has little appeal for me. I prefer the more traditional shops, but they can be a little mystifying. I’ve come full circle now and am back at the museum.

Opposite the TI stands Kościół Narodzenia, the church where Ania and Hubert were married. I remember it as being very beautiful inside.

Beside the church, a new addition, Park Narutowicza, provides entertainment with it’s ever changing fountains. And a little street art, too.

From being a beautiful balmy day, the sky has begun to darken, exactly as the forecast had indicated. I look for shelter, just in case, and am drawn to a sign, ‘Giganty Mocy’. Not at all sure what I’ll find, in I go. The gallery space is a revelation.

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The rain is spotting when I come out again. A nearby florist provides the first of my presents, and I pause to read the synagogue sign. I backtrack a little way to a small indoor shopping centre, where chocolates and brandy are easily purchased.

The sky gets blacker and the rain starts to bounce. People scurry for cover. Nothing for it but to seek shelter until Ania and Hubert have finished their shopping expedition. ‘Degustacja’ meets my requirements perfectly. There’s cake, of course!

Bełchatów has become a big town, with numerous housing estates, largely due to the proximity of the power station. My walk today centres on the older part of town, and nearby there’s also a huge outdoor market. I think it’s fairly typical of many Polish towns.

This website will give you a few facts about the area, including my recently featured Zbiornik Wawrzkowniza. I have one more small town to show you before heading south to Kraków. I hope you’ve enjoyed the series and can come along with me. Meantime, coffee, I think. Don’t you?

Many thanks to all my contributors this week, and to my readers too. As always, there are some great walks featured below. If you’d like to join me, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo.

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I remember Peebles covered in snow and freezing! Lovely to see it through Smidge’s eyes :

The Tweed Valley and Neidpath Castle, Peebles

Jackie goes into a little history of an art form :

Tattooed

Roll up! Roll up! Get your tickets here!

T is for Theatreland#atozchallenge

Becky reminds me just how beautiful the Algarve can be in Springtime :

A quick stroll near Olhao da Restauracao

While Jude is having such a fine time in Cornwall! Almost makes you want to move :

Walking around Trencrom

I am in awe of this lady! Tish, doing ‘qi gong’, surrounded by dappled lushness. Wouldn’t you want to be there?

The power of green and dappled sunlight this morning on the Linden Walk

From nature to architecture, with Jaspa :

The remarkable houses of Bello and Reborati, Montevideo, Uruguay

Do be careful Drake’s green-eyed monster doesn’t get you!

Airborne walk

And please help Esther up the hill, should you see her struggling :

Misty Morning Walk

Pauline gives us lots of reasons to visit Brisbane, and even goes interactive!

Final few hours in Brisbane

I knew about Dumbo in NYC, but I had no idea about this wonderful walk :

Brooklyn Bridge Park

I’m rounding off with a blog that’s new to me, but a place I’ve long wanted to visit. Great photos, too :

Wye Valley: Symonds Yat Circular

That’s it for another week. The weather here has turned dreary, but that’s Bank Holidays for you. I have much catching up to do. See you soon, and happy walking!

Jo’s Monday walk : Zawady

In total contrast to my last, extremely urban walk in the city of Łódź, I’m taking you out into the Polish countryside today. I’m going right back to where my Polish story began, in the village of Zawady, around 60kms south of the big city. It’s a different world! Dad was born in this village, more than 88 years ago.

As you can imagine, changes have taken place, but not too many. The original farmstead is still there, but much of the land has been divided up between the family. The photo above is the view I woke up to from my bedroom, on my first day back in the village. Early morning mist burnt off to a beautiful day, and it was time to feed the week old ducklings.

I had been staying in the suburbs of Kraków, so the difference was considerable. The daughter of a farmer, with memories of driving the tractor with her Dad, Zygmunt, when she was young, my cousin Jadwiga loves her garden. But growing vegetables and keeping hens has to come second to her day job, and more especially to her dearly loved grandchildren. They are seldom far away, as daughter Ania lives in a self build bungalow within the grounds. Meet Kinga and Nadia, with mum, Ania, and Babcia, Jadzia.

For those of you who might have wondered, ‘what is Poland like?’ let’s slide the gate open, and we’ll step outside and see. Poland is a big country and land is cheap. It’s not uncommon to see ‘land for sale’ signs in the woods that surround most villages.

The houses vary considerably, some still old farmhouses, others in a far more modern style. I peep over the fence at the pond which once belonged to Aunt Lusia. Now her daughter Graźyna and husband Marek have built a home there, among the cherry trees.

You don’t have to walk far before you’re at the end of the village, and the woods beyond. I retrace my steps, on the other side of the road this time, passing by cousin Marysia’s beautifully modern home, and a sign that cautions of the ‘good’ dog that bites!

A crossroads points to Ławy, 1.3kms away, and I am tempted to follow it out into open countryside. But first I need to complete the circuit, back to the main road through the village. These decorated crosses are found on many corners, scattered throughout Poland. Number 16F is Ania and Hubert’s house, and the garden design business she runs from home.

As the sun droops in the sky and the children play out on their bikes, I cast one more look at the cherries, and then head off down the lane.

Don’t worry! I do return, but I wanted to show you the ‘whole’ of Zawady. It’s not very big! I hope you enjoyed meeting the place, and my family.

I’ve decided to link this post to My personal A-Z of Poland, which has been sadly neglected in recent times. Much of what appears there is relevant and will provide good background, for anyone who’s interested. Time to put the kettle on now, for this week’s shares.

Many thanks to all of you who make Mondays a bit special for me. Your support and encouragement sees me through the week. If you have a walk to share and you haven’t joined me yet… well, what’s stopping you? Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. You’ll be made more than welcome.

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Let’s start the ball rolling with Laura, in Costa Brava’s wild spaces this week :

A taste of salt and honey

Pauline treats us to a glimpse of an Eye, through floral abundance :

A Walk through sunny Southbank, Brisbane

Hop off your bike and take a walk in equally sunny California!

My weekly ramble- John Nicholas Trail

Yvette has her own unique and stylish way of doing things :

Jubilant Walk with Jo (Nature Day 1)

And you know that Drake does too! Welcome to Kayserberg :

Home sweet home

Geoff spent his April engrossed in a challenge. King’s Cross? Well, he might be!

X is for Crosses#atozchallenge

I don’t often think of hill climbing and Jude in the same sentence, but… she did it!

Conquering Godolphin Hill

Thanks a lot for your company, and for your friendship. I know that this was a very low key walk, but I wanted to share a little more than just a pair of boots. In the coming weeks I hope to give you a flavour of Poland, seen through my eyes. Take good care, and enjoy your walking!

I almost forgot my good friends over at Monday Escapes. Maybe something for the Bank Holiday weekend?

Jo’s Monday walk : Meeting Meg

If ever you need a sweet-natured soul to have a stroll with- or better still, a hug or five and a hoot of laughter- I have a peerless recommendation for you. I’m a little hesitant in writing this post because I’m not sure that I can do the lady full justice. If you saw Meg’s post, ul Piotrkowska with Jo, you’ll know that she has already done my job for me. And that is very typical of Meg. Swift to offer the hand of friendship, she turned my day in the city of Łódź into something quite extraordinary.

First, let me give you a little background. The key to Meg’s being in Poland is her wnuki, her grandchildren.( pronounced f-nooki, it’s another of those tricky Polish words) How many people do you know who would leave their beloved home (think ‘good for the soul’ quiet beaches, and Australian flora and fauna, all photographed by Meg in exquisite detail) to take up residence in Poland’s capital city, Warsaw, for a year? To be near those children. Speaking almost no Polish, and reduced, like myself, to a perplexed frown as conversations roll past her, Meg then agrees to meet with an English lady in an unknown city. To make it easier for that lady, she books 3 nights in the city, alone, almost immediately after a family trip to the Polish lakes.

And now for my part. I know all too well the frustrations of a lack of ability to communicate. Occasionally I have thought that ‘signing’ would be a better method than trying to speak the Polish language. I get by well on hugs and smiles within the family but that doesn’t go down so well with strangers. Understandably the family are not keen to let this nodding, smiling person go wandering in a big city, where few of them are keen to venture themselves. How can they know that it is in my nature to wander? That I thrive on it. I have even done a little research and know how to get to Łódź. And beyond that, I will have Meg!

It is with reluctance but great patience that Andrzej accompanies me to the bus stop, and we wait and wait. When I am almost convinced that it will not arrive, despite his phone call to the bus company and being told ‘Będzie’- ‘it will come’, a small white minibus hoves into view. Can you imagine the bubble of excitement inside me as the lush green of Springtime Poland slides past my window?

Enough! The audience awaits. I step off the bus almost into her arms and we make it to a corner cafe for much needed kawa (coffee, of course). And there I discover just how delightful a companion I am to have for my day of freedom. The cafe is situated on a corner of Poland’s longest street, Ulica Piotrkowska. With unfailing lack of sense of direction I point to the ‘top end’ of the street and suggest that we head that way. Meg smiles, and points the other way. Armed with a map from the TI and directions on how to find the bus stop from which I must later leave the city, cameras in hand and huge grins on our faces, we begin to walk.

As Meg has pointed out in her beautiful post, the architecture in Łódź is ravishing. There really is something for everyone, whether you favor shabby or chique. My tendency is always to beauty and elegance, but I can sometimes be won over by the forlorn and unloved. We are each other’s eyes, and at times it’s hard to concentrate, as smiles and snippets of conversation bob back and forth. I have never taken photographs in tandem like this, and it is a remarkable experience. Sometimes I pause to see what Meg has focused on, and later I realise that she was doing the same with me. How very wonderful to find someone who understands the joy of just being there.

Part of the reassurance I tried to give my Polish family was that I would not be straying far from Ulica Piotrkowska, and there truly was little need to. Our first landmark is Plac Wolnosci, where I dance in delight at the passing trams. Meg finds this funny. There is every kind of transport along this street, but trams always bring a smile to my lips.

Looking up, past a rusty old gate, cavorting weasels (or maybe rats?) catch my eye, but I have my sights on Palac Poznanskiego, Museum of the History of Łódź. Time is precious and the weather superb so, having found our target, we agree to bypass it in favour of a leafy green space. Meg takes huge pleasure in the soft shadows and gently waving trees. My best efforts for Jude are rather pathetic, and I start to giggle.

We are at the very top of Piotrkowska, and turn to head back. On a corner of Plac Wolnosci, the church of Zesłania Ducha Świętego is bathed in bright sunlight. The door is ajar, and we enter quietly. There are only a couple of people knelt in silent worship and I manage a few shots, trying hard not to be intrusive. ‘Are you any good at mosaics?’ asks Meg. I shrug and try.

Time to decide where to eat. There are plenty of choices and we are agreed that an outdoor table will do nicely. Ordering from the board outside our restaurant, I manage to confuse the waitress. Or does she confuse me? Soup, and then nalesniki (pancakes) with spinach, appear in rapid succession. I decide to ask again for some wine, and am greatly relieved when it arrives.

Many confidences were exchanged before we continued along this engaging street. Rubinstein with his piano vied for our attention with local born poet, Julian Tuwim. Whimsy there was aplenty, and some quite enchanting sculptures of children.

Nifty little archways and passages lead off Piotrkowska, some of them quite irresistible. Most lead to restaurants and quiet courtyards, but the art gallery and cafe Surindustrialle was one of our best finds. Metal art from industrial waste. Take a look at the website and you’ll see what I mean.

I have so many more photos that I could show you, but perhaps you are getting weary. Meg showcases many of them brilliantly so, if you haven’t already paid a visit, I hope that you will do so. One good thing about this walk- it’s almost impossible to get lost. But reaching the end of Ulica Piotrkowska is another matter altogether. I don’t know if we got even halfway along its 4.9km.

All too soon it was time to look for the bus stop that would take me back to the family. A landmark for Meg in finding her way around the city, the main tram station was chiefly a source of happiness for me. I had glimpsed it, with curiosity, from my bus window on the way into Łódź. Just look!

A block further south and our grand street was starting to look a little more humble. A colossal renovation project, it’s hard to know when it will be finished. But our time together was almost at an end. The bus stop was found too quickly and we looked for somewhere to conclude our meeting. Not a cafe in sight, we subsided onto the bench and continued to talk. There was so much to ask… so much to say! But 45 minutes later the bus revved its engine and I reluctantly got on board. One last hug and a wave and Meg was gone. I was both exhilarated and bereft!

I realise that this walk is of a far more personal nature than usual, but I wanted it to be a tribute to a very special lady. I do hope you enjoyed your walk with ‘us’, and I very much hope that she and I will meet again someday.

Should you be tempted by what you’ve seen, you will find the Tourist Information website in Łódź a valuable source of information.

Thank you for your patience everybody. Often I visited your blogs whilst sitting on the sofa, as Dad and my cousins watched TV, but my Smartphone has its limits (or the truthful version- I do!) ‘Normal service’ should be resumed now. Welcome to my walks! Join in if you like. The details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. Time for a cuppa, isn’t it?

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It always tickles me how many of our place names are the same- Monteith St. for example. Thanks, Anabel!

Toronto: an urban walk

There’s no getting away from it- Susan is a lady after my own heart :

Just for the shell of it

Classical Glass

Yvette always supplies interesting people to compliment her doors (and walks) :

Thursday Doors (walk-ing)

I’m inclined to forget that Becky has an English blog. Come along with me and learn all about ‘navigations’ :

A lovely English stroll for a Monday

I have done this walk to the Algarve’s Fonte da Mesquita but, unlike Becky, I didn’t see the orchids. Sad face! :

A happy case of ‘orchidelirium’ on our walk to the spring!

Sue has a warm heart and is a great espouser of good causes, but she likes a bit of fun too!

Where Do Beavers Live?

Nothing I like better than a watery walk! Geoff chucks in a chateau or two and I’m happy :

Moi Aussi#walking#france

And some London buildings, including lovely St. Bride’s :

H is for Hawksmoor and his boss….

Drake takes us ‘home’ to beautiful Samsø in Denmark :

Here comes the sun

We’re biking again in California, but you can get off to check out the neighbourhood :

My weekly ramble- From my front door

A hint of mystery next and a great yarn, told in Tish’s best raconteur mode :

The Tale of a Hidden House that once hid a King

And while we’re storytelling, I was delighted to have the ‘other’ Sue for company this week :

Of castles, a dancer, dragon’s teeth and tunnels…

Denzil has found us some green and pleasant land that isn’t England :

Walking in the Voerstreek

And Gilly, England at its finest :

Lanhydrock, a National Trust Stroll

That’s it for another week! Many thanks to all of you for your support and for walking with me. I hope that this week brings you much pleasure.

Jo’s Monday walk : Lambkins and bikes!

Just before I made off for the Algarve I had time to squeeze in one last walk. I’ve been to the North Yorkshire village of Great Ayton many times, and had not really expected to share with you another walk there. 150 photos proved me wrong, and I think you might like to share one or two of them. Who can resist wobbly, white lambs?

I almost didn’t get there because our walk leader’s car was sick, but I bestowed the walk leader badge on my other half, and off we went.

It was a bit fresh, and misty, but with the bunting flapping wildly, we crossed over the narrow bridge and headed up the side street out of the village. More about the bunting later. There’s a sign pointing out a public footpath, which leads between houses and a big hawthorn fence, round past the cricket pitch, over a field and down to a stream. Are you still with me so far? It’s tricky!

This is where you should end up. Cross over the little bridge and you come out into a country lane. More bunting and a bridge with a scruffy sign, pointing to Easby and Kildale. You don’t want either of those options today, so proceed gently uphill past Brookside Farm.

The goose, though handsome, is the honkiest, noisiest creature. The cow, much more placid. At about this point we were joined by a young ex-army man, out looking for fresh air and exercise. Hadn’t he come to just the right place! We chatted pleasantly along the lane. The conversation was of Pisa and travels abroad, and I totally missed the fact that the farm cafe was open. Not like me, at all! The husband was more alert but didn’t point it out till after we’d parted company with our walker friend. We directed him uphill towards Captain Cook’s Monument. A much sterner test for the legs, and one that we declined that day.

The daffs were everywhere, and a sprinkling of primroses too. As we hailed the morning rider, White Cottage came into view, with a stunning fanfare of rhododendron. The crossroads here lead down to Little Ayton, and continue on into Great Ayton itself. Probably the recommended route for strollers but, if you choose to puff and pant uphill, you will find a footpath off to your left. This takes you across a field. If you’ve timed it right, you could be in for a real treat.

I don’t think I ever saw such bright, white, new ones! One of the little fellas had managed to find his way out of the field, and away from the safety of his mother’s side. He was scrambling frantically to find a way back in, while Ma looked on in exasperation. I stood politely and quietly by, holding the gate just a little ajar for him. I didn’t want any adventurous brothers or sisters skipping out to join him. But I need not have worried. With a twitch of his stubby tail, he was under the gate and gone, with barely a backwards glance.

For us, the trail led on, very muddily, over the railway tracks and back down into the village. Where finally all of that bunting was explained.

The Tour de Yorkshire is coming to the village on May 1st, and the villagers were out in force, bedecking and festooning with bunting and bikes.

And I’m not done yet! Past the cascades and along by the river, romantically trailing willows, still there’s more bunting and bikes to see. I think they’re going to have a high old time on 1st May, don’t you? I almost wish I could be there.

As we returned to our car, parked by the riverside, my husband spied a rather lovely magnolia. I couldn’t quite get close enough for a decent shot, but I found a reward of a different kind. A tiny raised gate led into the churchyard beyond. I had stumbled upon James Cook’s childhood church, All Saints, dating from the 12th century. In this lovely spot, his mother and siblings are buried.

If you happen to be in the area on May 1st, Stage 3 of ‘Tour de Yorkshire’ starts in Middlesbrough and races down over our beautiful Moors, ending at Scarborough on the north east coast. Myself, I will be in Poland, but I might just catch a glimpse on the sports news. A map and full details of the route are contained in the links.

I’m glad I managed to fit in this post, not least because it gives me the opportunity to showcase some amazing walks. Where else will you find Korcula, the Shropshire Hills and Katmandu, all on the same page? Please don’t miss any of them. Huge thanks to all my contributors, and to all of you for your patience in my absence.

I’m going to have to take liberties again, because very early on Thursday I’m off to Poland with Dad. I don’t return until 12th May and will have only limited internet access whilst there. If you would like to share a walk in the meantime, you’re very welcome to do so. Details are, as always, on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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If I had to shortlist places to see before I finally vanish, Hawaii might well be on it. You will enjoy this!

My weekly ramble

And just to totally convince you, Carol’s taking us to a waterfall :

Manoa Falls

Geoff took me to familiar and much loved haunts with this walk :

G is for the Greenwich#atozchallenge

Becky gave me the gentlest of nudges before I set off for the Algarve. Isn’t this walking bliss?

On the trail of Nightingales

Anabel finds the loveliest chateau, and a little bit of mud!

Chatelherault

Shakespearean sonnets make for an interesting garden stroll with Trav Trails :

Sonnets and Flowers

And Jackie is out looking for signs of Spring in Toronto :

A Walk along the Humber

Another walk I’d really love to take for myself one day. Say hello to the folks on this lovely island :

Top Views of Korcula- Walking Route

I love a walk that’s a bit different, and Karen provides exactly that!

The Goods Line

While Gilly takes us for a lunch time romp among the bluebells :

A lunchtime escape

Seriously good ‘value for money’ from Denzil, with a city walk and boat trip too :

How to spend a day in Ghent

A lovely welcome home arrived from Susan. So like one of my own Tavira beach walks :

Rock Walk 2

And what can you say about Tish? An astoundingly beautiful return visit for me, which I thoroughly enjoyed :

Happy Earth Day from the Shropshire Hills, some of the world’s Oldest Rock Formations :

I would not have believed it possible to have so much delight on a homecoming. My cup runneth over, Badfish!

Last Supper in Katmandu

So there we have it, for a couple of weeks. I have some lovely Algarve walks to share with you, but they’ll have to wait for a little while. I might try to schedule a post for May 9th, the Monday before I come home, but it would probably be more sensible to wait until 16th. In the meantime, I will visit and share as much as I can. Do look after yourselves, won’t you? And very happy walking!

Jo’s Monday walk : Back on the beach

Whenever we go walking on our north east England coastline, we keep an idle eye open for sea glass. Usually it’s in milky soft hues, but bottle green and turquoise are not unknown . The little chap above had us well fooled. He’d obviously swum out of a child’s bucket, to twinkle up at us from the beach.

I won’t be walking with you next week, so I’m determined to leave you with some sunny images. Last week was a little glum, wasn’t it?

The other half wanders through the shot, distracting me from getting a level horizon. The one below is better. (and minus my shadow!)

The tide was advancing rapidly that day, and I had to do my famous teetering on rocks act, camera stowed safely in my pocket. Why is it that he has so much better a sense of balance? He kindly came back to hold my hand, or we might never have got there.

It’s a coastline with an industrial past, so the rocks are always interestingly speckled and battered. And there’s the sea glass to enjoy.

Not forgetting the occasional sea monster! There’s one structure that always draws the eye. Rotting timbers and frayed stumps simply add to the appeal of the magnificent remnants of Steetley Magnesite’s pier.

I never tire of shooting it, from all angles. The last shot is a good example of convergence, isn’t it? Sonel pointed one out to me the other day. If you’re looking for photographic skill combined with creativity, hers is a great place to visit.

At this point you have a choice. So long as the tide cooperates you can carry on along the craggy coastline, towards Crimdon Dene.

Sometimes the wind whips up, swirling the sands around you. Click on the last photo in the gallery above and you’ll be able to make out the pier, in the far distance. We’ve walked quite a way. You can continue through the Dene, catching a bus back down the coast road, or you can retrace your steps along the beach.

Eventually you come back to Hartlepool Headland, with it’s proudly standing town walls. It’s been a safe haven for me for many a long year. Look beyond the harbour, and on the horizon you can just make out the industry along Seal Sands Road, where we went seal spotting last week.

On the Headland, Mary Rowntree’s tearooms have a lovely view across the harbour. But I feel I know you well enough to invite you back to mine. I’ll just pop the kettle on. See you soon!

My posting will be haphazard, to say the least, for the next month. I’m deserting this safe haven for my familiar Algarve one, where I usually switch off from the world and its worries. I hope to have another walk for you on Monday, 25th April, but just a few days after that I will be accompanying Dad to Poland for 2 weeks. Another family visit and lots of smiles.

If, in the meantime, you’d like to share a walk, please feel free to do so, but be aware that I might not be able to share it for a while. Many thanks for your continuing support. As usual, the logo above will take you to my Jo’s Monday walk page.

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SO excited to kick off this week with a walk by Lucile! If you don’t know her, you’re in for a treat (and if you do, you’ll expect the best, and not be disappointed). AND she’s in Portugal!

Walking through Sights and colours of Lisbon

Introducing a blog called MyScribblez next. All scribblers amongst you, please pop over and say ‘hi’ :

Quebec on Foot

Drake likes the ladies, especially in an artful pose :

Blooming nudity

The scenery around Greenock is a nice surprise. Take a look with Anabel :

The Greenock Cut

You won’t be surprised to find that Jackie likes shopping :

St. Lawrence Market

Or that Ellen has a badly behaved dinghy? Maybe it’s been reformed since this post :

Going for a Walk : Coromandel Town (or Coro pies are best)

Smidge has some nice romantic looking photos from the Scottish Borders :

Dryburgh Abbey & The River Tweed

And Susan… how about close encounters with a good-looking cow or two?

Sadie’s Walk

Denzil got up at the crack of dawn for this walk, so he deserves your appreciation :

GR571 Stage 4 : Trois-Ponts to Vielsam

And getting me nicely in the mood for the Algarve- thanks a lot, Becky! Your place or mine?

Exploring the Grande Rota do Guadiana

That’s it folks! Thanks again for all the shares and for the pleasure you give me. Take care of yourselves.

Jo’s Monday walk : Seal sanctuary

Today’s walk brings us full circle with where my Monday walks began, just over 2 years ago, in Greatham Creek. Doesn’t time fly? And have I worn you out yet? There are days when I feel quite weary myself.

On Wednesday I woke with that restlessness upon me. The sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds and I needed to be out. My partner in crime suggested Saltholme, the local nature reserve, but somehow that felt too tame. I don’t do compromise well, but we headed along the Seal Sands Road, in that direction. It’s an area I find very depressing, and if you saw my Forbidding skies on Thursday, you’ll know what’s coming.

Heavy industry crowds the skyline, and the power station’s ugly presence broods malignantly nearby. If you can ignore that, there’s a world of wildlife to explore. To give it it’s grandest title, this is Teesmouth National Nature Reserve, a site of more than 350 hectares.

Natural England have recently extended the footpaths and installed bird hides. Parking on Seal Sands Rd, you can cross over A178 (carefully- you don’t want to be run over by a bus!) and follow the path beside the creek, out towards the sea. In the distance you can see the Transporter Bridge, in Middlesbrough. Closer to hand, a family of swans usually enjoy the salt water.

Looking back, A178 spans the creek, and on the far shore industry looms, threateningly. But we won’t be intimidated. A ragged sign on the fence gives a clue to the area’s past. There are still defence structures to be seen, and if you are interested this document gives full details.

The skies alternately boil and shimmer, as I follow the path beside the creek, and along to the first bird hide.

If you click on the last shot you might be able to make out the windmills of the offshore wind farm. Here they look very distant, but it’s not so.

This is a remnant of the military installations, but history goes much further back. In Medieval times the area was important for its salt, which was extracted by boiling salt water until the liquid evaporated, leaving behind precious salt crystals. For thousands of years, the sea swept across the Tees estuary, exposing mudflats and sand bars as it ebbed. Defensive banks were built against the tides, changing the flow of the currents. Gradually the ground lost its saltiness and became fit for agriculture. Sheep grazed on the salt marshes, growing the thick fleeces sold by medieval monks to much of Europe.

A second bird hide but a distinct lack of wildlife, though the sign tells us of plenty. Maybe the birds are all at nearby Saltholme, where they will undoubtedly be better fed. And then, the strangeness of the brine fields.

The landscape changed enormously after World War II. In the 1960s the area east of A178 was intensively developed for brine fields and the storage of petrochemicals. Pollution in the estuary had been heavy, but when Natural England became involved the site became a Special Protection Area. Careful management and reclamation has helped to restore and maintain the natural habitat.

Returning along the creek, my sharp eyed companion spots a grey mammal, paddling his leisurely way out to sea. They are one of the great success stories of the nature reserve. 200 years ago a seal population of around 1000 lived in these mudflats. A survey in the 1930s failed to reveal any. They had been decimated by hunting and pollution. Today there are about 100 seals, and several pups are born each summer.

Thriving in the midst of all that ugliness. It’s good to know, isn’t it? The sign boards ask you to respect the seals privacy and remain behind the hide. While this may not be the prettiest Landscape, I do hope that you found it interesting.

I know how you all like a cuppa after a walk. RSPB Saltholme is just 2km south of this site, and the cafe has a panoramic lake view. The website includes a map and full details of the area.

Two years and more of walking. It must be time to put the kettle on! Many thanks to all of you who’ve supported me along the way, and made such wonderful contributions. Details of how to join me are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo. You’ll be made very welcome.

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Riverside walks are among my favourites. A smattering of history makes them even better. Thanks, Anabel!

Bothwell and Blantyre

Denzil is leading us intrepidly, step by step, across Belgium :

GR571: Aywaille to Stoumont

Jackie combines sunshine with some rather intriguing sculpture this week :

Lenora Carrington

Liesbet takes us roaming about in Connecticut, just one last time :

A Walk in Housatonic Meadows State Park

Time spent with Drake is absolutely never wasted!

Actually needed more time

Ruth joins us again, amongst some beautiful tree ferns :

Fern Tree to Spring Falls

Something I know you won’t be able to resist! A trip to Narnia, with Debbie :

From Narnia to Albert Bridge

Just a little optimistic this early? Elaine goes looking for Bluebells :

In search of Bluebells

Miriam’s got herself great company for her rather cloudy walk :

Meandering in Mount Macedon

Jaspa’s walk was written with Easter very much in mind :

Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem

BiTi is in love with green. Colour themed walks? Not a bad idea!

A Study in Green on my walk

Coincidentally, Geoff is already ahead in this game :

Three Greens

Please say hello to Patrick, who’s just starting a walking challenge :

52 Hike Challenge- No. 1

And to lovely Pat, ‘living life almost gracefully’, in Florida :

Walk in the Park

This week Susan goes looking for seals, (Snap!) and trying not to tumble over cliffs!

Estero Bluffs Walk

While Pauline captures all of nature with her camera. Don’t miss this gem!

7 Day Nature Photo : Day 1- a walk in the national Park

That’s it for another week! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I have one more walk for you next week and then I will be missing for a little while. Have a great week everybody!

A note for Joanne : If you’re reading this, there’s a conversation between me and Bill Blackwell, who used to live on the creek, in the comments on my Greatham Creek post. It starts- “I am one of the lucky kids whose family had a boathouse on the creek. At 80years old my memories go back to when in my opinion the creek was at its best, with more people than seals,yet I very much enjoyed the photos.”

Jo’s Monday walk : The Butterfly Trail

It’s almost unreal, isn’t it? You cannot imagine the delight I shared on Good Friday. A planned expedition to Preston Park did not start out well. Why, oh why, had I not factored in Bank Holiday crowds and full to bulging roads on this warm Spring day? It almost sabotaged my plans.

But, not quite! My daughter learned to drive just a few years ago, and is not familiar with the roads in the area. I am a self-confessed terrible navigator. A winning combination, with no Sat Nav? Not really, but we managed somehow. As we crept along in dense traffic towards the gates of Preston Park Museum, my heart was in my mouth. So many cars were turning in to the park. Were we even going to be admitted, or find parking? I had never seen this volume of traffic!

We were almost shrugged in, with a ‘You might find a space. You’re welcome to look’. Even the overflow parking had overflown! It transpired that the miniature steam railway had opened for Easter, and everyone in the north east knew about this, except me. But we were meant to be there. As we crawled around the parking areas a space presented itself, in the nick of time. Heaving huge sighs of relief, we got out of the car, and headed away from the crowds, down to the serenity of the river.

A peaceful stroll along the boardwalk, in gentle Spring sunshine, soon restored our equilibrium. Hearing the soft puttering of an engine, I was delighted to see the Teesside Princess rounding the bend. No passengers. She must have been on her way to an engagement.

There was no shortage of eager dog walkers, and a few children, along the path, but there was space to breathe. Most people had gone to the main event. We exchanged smiles and greetings and patiently examined the verges, collating evidence of Spring.

Suitably calmed after our ordeal, it was, of course, time for tea. There is a beautifully ornamental conservatory attached to the museum, where once you could take tea in complete refinement. Sadly this is now reserved for private engagements, but I knew that we could still get a cuppa in the Victorian tearooms. We weren’t the only ones to have this idea, so peace and quiet it was not. But still a fun place to sit outside, watching the children attempting to bowl Victorian hoops, and down a skittle or two. The spice cake disappeared very rapidly!

Well fortified, it was time to venture further. Leo is perfecting his blacksmith skills and was interested to see the large forge. Tools and ironware weighed down the walls, but the forge itself was not in operation. On quieter days, I have spent time in the Victorian shops chatting to the assistants, but the museum was obviously at full stretch today. A sign announced discreetly that if you found a store unattended it was due to the lack of volunteers. I wished that I lived a little closer, so that I might.

An enviable array of beautiful and fascinating objects are to be found in the museum, and we had a brief look around. You may remember this post from last year, when I showed you inside. Today we had a different agenda, but first I couldn’t resist a peep at the Egg Exhibition. One of the reasons the museum was so busy was the Easter Egg trail. Laid throughout, the vibrant eggs sitting in the display cases, a magnet for small eyes.

An ‘eggshibition’ from local schools was mounted in the grand hall. It raised a smile or two. Then it was back into the sunshine. Past the new skate park and the sky walk, both wildly popular with the youngsters, we approached our destination. Butterfly World. Closed November through February, the butterfly house had only reopened on 4th March, and I had no idea if there would be butterflies to see. Was I in for a treat!

Slipping cautiously through the plastic curtains, we had barely taken a few steps into the enclosure when the flutter of wings caught our eye. We gazed, and gasped! They were everywhere! The steamy heat enveloped us in a green world.

Their wings beating frenziedly, they clung to the flame-coloured flowers, extracting the nectar and flitting swiftly to the next. I was wearing a pink and black checked jacket, and rapidly I became a part of the attractions. Little girls with bows in their hair were easy targets too.

The tropical flowers, with their flamboyant hues, magnetised butterflies and humans alike. A waterfall splashed into a pond full of Koi. It was a completely magical experience, standing there as the butterflies swooped and glided all around us.

There was a good variety of butterflies, in every shape and size, but they moved so swiftly that many were hard to capture. A large species with vivid blue wings was particularly elusive, and a tiny one with completely diaphanous wings was simply a blur in my photos. I was so impressed with the experience that I would recommend it to anyone. We withdrew reluctantly when the heat became overwhelming.

Amazing, aren’t they? The Preston Park Museum website is full of information about the house and grounds, including a page dedicated to Butterfly World. I hope you have enjoyed my Easter special. We certainly did! Do you think Jude might like my Wildlife too?

Thanks everybody, for your company and your wonderful contributions to my walks. Anyone with a walk to share can join in, be it gentle potter or 20 mile hike. (now I’m getting carried away!) Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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First stop- a beach with a view from Smidge. Do bring a jumper!

Tyninghame, East Lothian

Whizzing off to the other side of the world, and some fun sculptures next, with Ellen :

Going for a Walk : Auckland Botanic Gardens

Waiting to be awoken for the Summer season :

The sleeping fairy tale

St. Albans looks a really interesting spot. Must look up Debbie there one day!

A Roamin’ Walk through Roman St. Albans

Like to add to your vinyl collection? Lee Ann knows just the place :

Wellington- A stroll along Cuba Street

Fancy riding a funicular? Join Becky and she’ll show you the back streets of Lisbon :

Off the tourist track

My lovely friend, Gerry, has joined us this week! Please don’t miss this look at his home town :

Lymington-Keyhaven walk

Jackie’s back home in Toronto but can’t resist one lingering look back :

Monday Walk- Puerto Vallarta

I could be happy strolling on the Piazza Navona- couldn’t you?

What caught my eye in Rome- part 2

Please welcome another newcomer, Kathrin, with a fascinating museum walk :

San Jose Downtown

And a lady called Sim, who likes to walk the London Underground routes. That’s different, isn’t it?

Above Ground on the London Underground- Day 23 : So this is Knightsbridge?

Miriam’s walking away all the angst on the beach this week. Great idea!

Coastal walking – from wild to mild

Just a little inland but with wonderful views- join Susan for a gentle stroll!

Black Hill of Morro Bay

Murals with a message from Jill, and very beautiful so don’t miss!

Sea Walls in my hometown

That’s it for another week! Some great walks there to keep you busy. Looks like a very wet and dismal Easter Monday here, but I’ve still got great company and I really can’t complain. I don’t know if I dare suggest a walk though. After a mighty Sunday lunch yesterday we ventured as far as the local park. Bright sunshine turned to driving rain and hailstones! The ladies at Monday Escapes are out and about again this week, and maybe you’ll find some sunshine there. If you’d just like some smiles, have a look at Lany Poniedzialek (Wet Monday) in Poland. See you next week!

Jo’s Monday walk : Wildfowl Waddle and Glide

Bearing in mind how energetic we were last Monday, I thought that something a little more sedate might suit today. Hardwick Hall Country Park in Sedgefield, County Durham, is just the place for a gentle stroll. But that’s not the whole story. You are probably familiar with my challenging friend, Jude. Chided to nurture my photographic skills in capturing wildlife, and NOT cheat with inanimate objects, what else could I do?

Clutching the dregs of a box of cornflakes, off I went. The helpmate had to come too, of course, to obligingly scatter the cornflakes as I poised for action. And action there was, aplenty! It seems that swans are extremely efficient hoovers when it comes to cornflakes.

We used to come to this park when my son was small. Many battles were fought in the crumbling old fort- some of them just to get him out of there, and home again. Nobody much seems to clamber in it these days. Just the odd duck. A bit of a waste, really.

A park for all seasons, I’ve brought you here a time or two before. Remember the duck decoy? And there are quirky sculptures, too. But fundamental to it all is the lake. Canada Geese may pretend ownership, but the swans glide imperiously by, cocking a snooty beak.

There are several smaller ponds, beloved of the coots playing hide and seek among straggling roots, and the soft shimmering reeds. The Temple of Minerva hints at mystery through the trees. Just one of the interesting sculptural aspects to this park.

Crossing over the Serpentine Bridge, the path leads to fens and a boardwalk. A new little bird hide has been installed, and our feathered friends are delighted to preen a little while they feast on nuts. We are equally delighted to quietly spectate.

I’m so used to seeing the folly of a Gothic Ruin that it no longer seems strange to me. Designed in the Palladian style, by architect James Paine, the gardens are an unusual example of 18th century landscape design. The cafe, however, is a stylish new build. That doesn’t prevent it from doing a very creditable old fashioned Victoria Sponge and Bakewell Tart. I did a good impersonation of those swans as I hoovered up my sizeable portion. Crumbs don’t make much of a photo, do they?

Hoping for a tiny morsel, a robin loitered nearby, teasingly out of camera range. So, I had to settle for a couple of very cute ducks.

You might have noticed that Jude has been breaking her own rules lately. Who better? Pop over and join in her Garden Challenge. You have until the end of March to post some Wildlife. Meantime let’s put the kettle on. Time to settle in for a good read.

Huge thanks to all my contributors for joining me again this week. I love having your company, whether you’re a walker or not. Please feel free to send me a walk. The details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page or click on the logo above.

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Lots of happy and willing sharers again this week. Let’s get Smidge to start us off :

A weekend in the Clyde Valley : New Lanark and the Elphinstone Hotel

I don’t know why but paddles and Mersey come to mind? Strange brain I have! Sorry, Debs!

Across the Forth without a Ferry

Serene in New Zealand this week, with Ellen and a few cows!

Going for a Walk : Motutapu Walkway

South of the Border, one last time (sob!), with Jackie :

Bucerias, Mexico

To the beach with Amy, enjoying the beauty, as she always does :

Monday Walk : Rockport Beach, Texas

Being ‘sinister’ with Anabel in Scotland? No, not really!

Irvine and the Scottish Maritime Museum

Liesbet doesn’t make the leap, so don’t worry! Maybe another time?

A Walk in Lover’s Leap State Park, CT

Feeling social this week? Please go along and say ‘hi’ to Joan :

Having a Social Hike with absolutely Blissful Views

Such a pretty sequence of images! Meet BiTi from Pret-a-Vivre online magazine :

Our first walk together in 2016

And, as ever, along comes Drake to brighten the day :

Pics up last Summer

Closely followed by Elisa and Dumbo- not the Disney favourite!

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

My friend Meg will love this next walk, so thank you, Susan, for making us both happy :

Rock Walk

Richard is standing up for Cornish walks and beaches. Jude will be very happy with that :

Best walks with a view : Trevone to St. Merryn

And, in case you missed the link at the start of my post, here’s the lady herself :

Garden Portrait : Knightshayes Court

That’s it for another week. I hope to have a post for you on Easter Monday but I haven’t quite decided where yet. My daughter and husband are arriving on Thursday evening, so I’m busy and excited. I hope the weather allows you to get out and about, but if not there’s always chocolate. Have a wonderful time!

Jo’s Monday walk : Through the Valley

Handsome chap, isn’t he? You’ll meet him later. I often accompany my husband if he’s out on a job and it’s a nice day. He goes to work and I go off to play. Almost fair, isn’t it? This week he was back in Saltburn and after two dreary, wet days I was determined to find myself a walk. The day was still a little overcast but I had high hopes.

My walk started on Marske Mill Road, on the outskirts of Saltburn, where I had spotted a public footpath sign. The path tumbled quite rapidly downhill and soon I was at a junction. The branch to my left was clearly signed ‘Valley Gardens’, but the more tantalising option had no marked destination. It’s obvious which I chose, isn’t it? This was my reward.

Viaducts are always an arresting sight, especially when they appear unexpectedly. The ground was quite moist, and I could hear the chuckling sound of water. Intrigued and captivated, I followed a concrete path which led me beneath the viaduct.

Ahead, a metal bridge crosses the churning stream. Aged sleepers form steps and the path leads up, beside the viaduct. A hint of blue had appeared in the sky and soon the bare woodlands are transformed. I exchange greetings with a couple of dog walkers and stop to admire the tree patterns cast by the sun. This little chap, sitting on the path, was most suspicious of my activities.

I fell into step with his owner and we began to chat. I had assumed that the path would lead me back into Saltburn at some point. Completely wrong! We were headed inland, in the direction of Skelton village, where she lived. The notorious sense of direction working well again. I enjoyed her company a little further, but then decided to retrace my steps the short distance back to the viaduct. By now the pale sunlight had begun to sneak into crevasses, and glint on the frothing water.

Back across the bridge I went, and up to the junction where the sign so clearly announced ‘Valley Gardens’. I may have taken the wrong turn, but I was quite delighted by my little escapade. The woodland gardens were now washed in gentle sunshine- that welcoming bench, not too far ahead.

Joyful Spring burgeonings were everywhere as I followed the path through the woods. Just above the formal Italian gardens, a quirky little corner is being developed by the Friends of the Valley- a Bumblebee Bistro. It’s good to see the nurturing process continue in these Valley Gardens, which date right back to 1860. The mischief in me wants to link this post to Jude and her Wildlife Garden, but I know I’ll get no thanks!

You might remember these beguiling mosaics from my last visit to Saltburn. At the Woodlands Centre, created to encourage children to interact with nature, I managed to find some more. Appealing to adults, too, I think. Cute badger and bunnies!

The Valley Gardens Tearooms is a nice little spot to sit beneath the trees, but I needed to press on through the valley. I wasn’t too sure how much time I had, but you’ll be pleased to know that I did make a stop at Camfields. It’s a favourite of mine for its friendly service, not to mention cakes.

A quick text message established that I had half an hour left to play. Just time for one last treat. I’m heading for the cliff top. Can you keep up?

The path leads up to the cliffs from just behind ‘The Ship Inn’. There you can join the Cleveland Way, a superb 110 mile coastal walk. Just three and a half miles away, the first stop is Skinningrove. But I think that’s enough for one day. Don’t you?

I may have rambled a little today but this map from National Trails will give you an excellent overview of my walk. I hope you enjoyed it? Definitely time to put the kettle on, and settle in for a good read.

Many thanks to all my lovely contributors. My Monday walks wouldn’t be the same without you. If you’re new here you can find details of how to join in on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. You’ll be made very welcome.

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Last week, Paula gave me a beautiful start to the walks :

Live musically

LOTS of warnings accompany this one from Ellen. For the brave (or a trifle foolhardy)!

Going for a Walk : Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Or why do my legs hurt?)

If I said to you STILL in Mexico you’d know I meant Jackie :

Monday Walk- Puerto Vallarta

Make time for pelicans with Amy! Well worth a wait :

Monday Walk : Making time for the Sunset

Not sure that I fancy ‘mouse water’ but I trust Anabel’s judgement :

Lanark and the Mouse Water

Morro Beach looks blissful! Come and have a morning stroll with Susan :

California Coastal Walk

Always a smile with Drake! How can you resist the man?

Let’s call it Sandy

Some sterling Scottish vistas from Smidge (no, I didn’t say ‘Stirling’) :

Dawdling at Dawyck Botanic Gardens

And a wonderful panorama from Rosemay in Perth (no, not that one either!)

Checking Out Elizabeth Quay

So much colder in Canada! Get your top coat out for this one :

Kananaskis, Alberta

But Gilly has found glorious Springtime for us :

The Day We’ve All Been Waiting For

Another week of fabulous contributions. Thank you everybody and I hope you have a great week.

Note to Jude- there’s a dog, and he’s wild! Well, quite cross, anyway.

Jo’s Monday walk : Springtime in Shincliffe

“Where will I find a crocus walk?” I asked my garden expert husband. “I’ve searched the web and can’t find one anywhere!” He gave me one of those looks, and said “You can’t find one, because there isn’t one. You’ll have to make do with snowdrops.” Now, I have nothing against snowdrops. Most years I visit our local snowdrop walk, in Greatham village. I simply felt a need for the uplifting surge of crocus colour.

Never one to let me down, as we drove towards Durham he said thoughtfully, “What about Shincliffe Village?” It seemed like a good idea.

We parked in Durham and walked out along the river- a direction we’ve taken many times before. From nowhere, one of those sparkling Spring days had materialised. Rowing teams skulled by vigorously, and the whole world seemed to have taken up sport. A university town, Durham has no shortage of able-bodied youth to indulge in running, throwing and kicking a ball.

One side of the river is still barriered off, following a serious landslide a year or so ago. I was delighted to see that work has finally started on the precarious river bank. The path will be open again to walkers. A gentle sun filtered through bare branches, reflecting ethereally in the river.

Out beyond the extensive sports facilities, the path meets the A177 at Shincliffe Bridge. Cross over the busy road carefully and you reach ‘The Rose Tree’- a pub with an inviting beer garden. A sign directs you to Shincliffe Village. As you enter the village, you’ll see the Poplar Tree garden centre. Always busy, I’m never sure if the plants or the tea rooms are the main attraction. Beyond this point no-one but the inhabitants of the village seem to venture. Which is a great shame, unless of course you are a villager and value your peace and quiet.

Did I mention crocuses? I had a real treat in store. And not only the crocus, but a bevy of Spring beauty.

Shincliffe is regarded as one of the most affluent villages in Durham, according to Wikipedia. Which is a pity as I could quite see myself living there. I was surprised to find that the Anglo-Saxon origin of the name Shincliffe means ‘steep hill of evil spirits’. The history of the village goes back to Roman times, when there is thought to have been a ford where Shincliffe Bridge now spans the River Wear.

In the Middle Ages Shincliffe belonged to the Prior of Durham Cathedral. It was a largely agricultural community until coal mining came to the area, with a resulting expansion. I was unaware that Shincliffe had had a railway station, but it was in fact Durham’s first. It opened in 1839, as part of the line to Sunderland, but closed again in 1893. The closure of the colliery meant a dwindling population. Shincliffe today is a gentle haven, seeming to have not a care in the world.

A small green leads to a row of raised houses, set back from the road. Originally the Durham to Stockton road ran right through the village. The post office would have been a busy place then. Now it’s a private residence. In 1826 a tithe barn was consecrated to become a Chapel of Ease for the community. It proved a little too cold and draughty, and in 1866 became the Rectory.

John Wesley is known to have preached in Shincliffe in 1780, and in 1874 a Methodist (Wesleyan) chapel was opened- the pretty one in the photos. The parish church, St. Mary the Virgin, was only completed in 1851. Snowdrops swaddled the graveyard in a soothing white blanket. I lingered, reading a few headstones and admiring the rose coloured church doors.

I peered through the windows of the Seven Stars Inn rather longingly. It was already lunchtime but my husband had to get back for an appointment. Go and press your nose up against their menu. You might be tempted. Alternatively, try the Brambles tea rooms at the garden centre, or maybe The Rose Tree. For me, it’s a swift walk back along the river, but not before I look for Shincliffe Hall. A sign points to it, down a private road. But it’s by invitation only.

There are some interesting snippets of village history, if you’re minded that way, under the link ‘steep hill of evil spirits’. Shincliffe is easy to find from the city of Durham. Do you know of a ‘crocus walk’ near you? I hope you enjoyed mine. Spring is wonderful, isn’t it?

Many thanks to all of you who keep me company each week. I do appreciate you looking over my shoulder and enjoying the view. If you’d like to join in with a walk of your own, you’d be very welcome. Details are on my Jo’s Monday walks page. Just click on the logo above.

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The joy of having a son. Ask Jesh- she’ll tell you!

Going The Distance

Anabel’s found a mural by one of my favourite street artists :

Saints and sinners : a Glasgow urban walk

Smidge had me packing my bags to head for the Borders with this post :

St Abbs, Scottish Borders

Jackie is STILL strolling around in Mexico! Would you credit it?

Around Puerto Vallarta

Amy has some ravishing gardens for us this week :

Monday Walk : Selby Gardens

Two ‘newbies’ up next! Please say a big hello to Liesbet :