I can't say that the weather here at the moment is inspiring me to get out and about, there really is way too much greyness for my liking. It feels as if the air is being pressed far too close to the earth, forcing the clouds to float amongst the landscape instead of up in the sky where they belong. I don't like the way this makes me feel, don't like that the days are so dank and lacking in sunlight, don't like that I feel squashed by the sky all the time.
On Monday J had the day off work and we had decided that whatever the weather it would be a day for us to take a Winter Walk. Ever the optimist, I held an upbeat, positive outlook in my heart, really believing that I could somehow conjure up a bit of sunshine just by wanting it so badly. No such luck, the day was Grey with a capital G. Never mind, we still set off, determined to enjoy our walking time together, even though the Crag that we were going to climb (pictured above) was hidden in the clouds and barely visible.
After walking for a few miles we noticed the sky was clearing just a little and as we approached the foot of the Crag we could actually see the top of it again. Such a relief, as I had visions of us stumbling around up there, forever lost in a sea of damp mist.
We've done this walk quite a few times and the path is clearly marked, but after the snow and rain we've had during the past week it was seriously muddy and hard going.
As I huffed and puffed my way slowly upwards, I thought to myself that there is something very satisfying about setting out to climb to the top of something high.
The physical exertion combined with the rewarding and ever changing views makes for a certain contentment deep in the soul.
To be honest, I had been secretly worried about taking on this climb as I am anemic again at the moment and my body isn't working quite as it should. But I amazed myself and didn't struggle all that much, even though I was blinkin' exhausted by the time I reached the top!
I am fascinated by this rock which sits atop the Crag - I wish I could show you a person stood next to it as it is absolutely huge.
It was eleven am when we reached the top, so we settled ourselves down on a picnic rug with our backs leaning against a large rock and took in the vista. The clouds were still hanging low over the valley but the landscape looked fresh and clean.
We had flasks of hot fresh coffee, and enjoyed an early lunch sat up here amongst the damp rocks - it was sooooo good! J and I have a particular lunch that we pack up to take on our walks, would you like to know what it is? Well, we make sure to stop in town before setting off to pick up a couple of award winning pork and apple pies, oh they are just divine! Along with a mouthwatering pie, we always have a small handful of sweet cherry tomatoes, a crunchy apple and a small slab of chocolate. It maybe sounds a bit strange, but honestly I just love every mouthful.
Eating lunch with gulps of fresh wind-whipped air and a green view makes my heart swell.
Soon it was time to start heading down the other side of the Crag....
....there was just as much mud on the descent as there was on the assent, so it was rather a comical, slippery business.
But the colours of the landscape filled my soul, and I found myself thinking a lot about my Moorland Blanket as I walked. This is the very edge of the same moor that inspired my current blanket design, and even though the colours are more muted in Winter, it's still very beautiful.
I noticed that the mosses are having an absolute fiesta in this damp climate and are growing their little mossy hearts out up on the moor. So vibrant, and so very, very, very green! I love moss so much, there is something very endearing about this lowly and humble plant species. I hope that doesn't make me too worryingly weird.
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Loving the gorgeous blankets, but I have to say the star of the show is Sonja's cocker spaniel. What a beautiful dog!
Posted by: Estelle | February 05, 2017 at 05:52 PM
Just doing the sample for the Moorland blanket .I have found using a stitch marker for every 10 stitches a great help . Thank you very much. Thank you for all your wonderful patterns. I hope you are feeling better .You inspire us all . Thank you . xxxx
Posted by: Jane Wood | January 22, 2017 at 12:28 PM
I could be wrong but that looks like the rock used in Calendar Girls - tried to google it - stupidly put in "calendar Girls rock" well that brought up a whole load of a different kind of pictures!!! The grey is oppressive but moody. Hope the anaemia sorts out soon. Battle it myself on and off. Tiring.
Posted by: Heather | January 21, 2017 at 12:14 PM
Oh my goodness! Your countryside is breathtaking. It must be wonderful to have that practically in your backyard. I have never seen anything like that here in the US. How I would love to see that view even once..........
Posted by: Terry | January 21, 2017 at 03:34 AM
Wonderful, just wonderful colours of the landscape. Another member if the moss lovers society here too. It is growing abundantly in my garden at the moment and I love the way it creeps across the stone paving slabs.
Posted by: AnnieOB | January 20, 2017 at 08:30 PM
Hi Lucy, lovely spot of English walking here, could feel that damp air on my face.....we are sweltering in a drought here average day temp 35-40C. I have tried to subscribe to your blog........it gives me gobbledygook how can we do it? I get the page of subscribing to typepad etc......is that what we have to do? Please explain if poss, I am not very techie. Can we upload photos to anywhere other than facebook, I don't do facebook but do have Instagram. Thanks for all you do. I am with you on the CAL but lagging as I am doing the 301 stitch version! Hope you are feeling really well very soon, love Peta Cowan!!
Posted by: Peta Cowan | January 20, 2017 at 04:45 PM
Lucy,
I think we need to meet up somewhere sunny, bring lots of hooks and yarn and tea and coffee and sit until the sun comes out again in our home towns. It has been Gray with a capital G here too...and foggy as ever. It's very depressing. Time for a cruise or something! The Attic 24 and Bee Lady crochet cruise! Who's IN!
Cindy Bee
Posted by: Cindy Bee | January 19, 2017 at 11:31 PM
I love moss too - but then, I live in Wales, so we have plenty of it. I always think the big cushions of it look like fairy forests - which is what I told my children when they were small.
That looked a lovely walk and you had just the right sort of lunch by the sound of things. Chocolate HAD to be included after a tough climb!
Posted by: Jennie Craine | January 19, 2017 at 09:24 PM
Fellow moss lover, here! I live in Washington state in the US, and our weather is almost exactly like yours! Moss everywhere, it is so pretty! I love these blog posts.
Posted by: Zoe | January 19, 2017 at 06:39 PM
Nothing wrong with a bit of weirdness, in fact I think it's quite necessary at times! I'm glad the clouds lifted for you and I quite agree, they've been around for far too long now with their damp, dank, squashiness. It's time for some brighter weather! xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | January 19, 2017 at 04:37 PM
I just wanted to let you know how you inspired me to take up crochet & experience the benefits of it. Self taught through YouTube mainly my journey into crochet has generally been quite slow but with steady progress. I am now joining in with the moorland cal & loving it. My joy has been compounded further by your 'like' of a couple of my photos on my instagram page. Your acknowledgement of my efforts means the the world to me. Your blog & other social media posts have helped me through probably the darkest year last year when I lost my lovely dad to cancer. Crochet has been a distraction, therapy & general joy so thank you Lucy for showing me the light!!
Posted by: Polly | January 19, 2017 at 02:42 PM
I love moss too! So if you are weird than so am I ; ) As a child whenever out playing in the woods and we came upon a big patch of moss it would become our favorite place to rest, dream and play, like a magic carpet. Those pies sound amazing! A beautiful walk. Grey skies here as well.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | January 19, 2017 at 02:38 PM
Can I join the Weird Moss-Lovers Club too? Amazing plants that thrive in dark, damp conditions that so many other plants shun. That truly is the Lime Green in your blanket! Thanks for your lovely blogs x
Posted by: Hilary Newman | January 19, 2017 at 01:41 PM
The weather is the same in Gloucestershire, and you have described it perfectly. As soon as the clouds lift, my mood lifts. I am sure you know this, but you need vitamin C to absorb iron, so if you are taking tablet, take them with orange juice...
Posted by: Debdor | January 19, 2017 at 11:16 AM
thanks for taking us along on your walking adventure--
;)))
beautiful pictures..I can see how these vistas inspired you...can't wait for my yarn to arrive...hugs, Julierose
Posted by: Julierose | January 19, 2017 at 11:10 AM
Beautiful walk in beautiful countryside, don't worry I love moss too 😀
Posted by: Anita walters | January 19, 2017 at 10:34 AM
Thank you for another lovely post♡. I always appreciate your walks and thoughts. I've been enjoying 'walking on the moors' while working on my Moorland blanket ♡ Good health and love from the states!
Posted by: Sally | January 19, 2017 at 10:11 AM
Not weird at all. I even did an embroidery of moss!
Posted by: Cathy | January 19, 2017 at 08:52 AM
Hi Lucy - we live in Pembrokeshire on the coast with the moors (Preseli hills) behind, so lucky! I am going to steal your picnic idea next time we go walking as it sounds so scrummy!I think there is beauty in this landscape all year round. Love the comment above about moss representing mother love. Really enjoying making your moorland blanket although I am quite behind partly because I am doing 350 stitches!
Posted by: Rowena Corlett | January 19, 2017 at 07:54 AM
Thank you so much Lucy for sharing this walk and for your blanket CAL which I'm absolutely loving. PLEASE take care of yourself and make sure that you have the time you need to get things balanced again. Love and hugs from Hampshire,UK xox
Posted by: Sarah. Hampshire, UK | January 19, 2017 at 06:56 AM
I love to walk as well but your views are stunning. I see flocks of over wintering birds which I try to identify.
Posted by: Carol | January 19, 2017 at 06:44 AM
Thank you Lucy, I always enjoy your blog about your walks....the way you write and the words you use puts one right there as if one is walking with you. Please don't stop.
Posted by: Elmarie | January 19, 2017 at 05:20 AM
Thank you, Lucy... I enjoyed the walk and the amazing scenery! It is the simple things that bring such pleasure. And funny, I also relate all things of color to crochet ideas. I love moss too! I have it in my back yard. Hope you get your strength back.. and take care of yourself! This is my secret little world where I visit your fabulous colorful world.
Posted by: Patti K | January 19, 2017 at 05:13 AM
I'm an ex Yorkshire girl living in Perth, Australia and love being renminded of the moors, there's nothing quite like it here. Coming back over in June just can't wait heading for Harlow Carr, Harrogate to imerse myself in the gardens.
Posted by: Linda | January 19, 2017 at 05:12 AM
Loved the pictures. It was like going on an adventure with friends. Thanks for the opportunity to join you,take care and be gentle with yourself hope you feel better soon.
Posted by: Pam Wilson | January 19, 2017 at 01:59 AM