Winter Moorland

I confess I do find this time of year a challenge, and I swear I can feel my body and soul actually droop as the days shorten. It's as if someone invisible (and a little bit mean) decides to gently wrap me head to toe in thick cotton wool so that general everyday thinking/doing feels way harder than usual. If all I needed to do each day was flollop around on the sofa then this cotton woolliness wouldn't be a problem at all, it would be very cosy in fact. But that's not my life, so I continue to plod my way through these cold, grey woolly days doing all the things that a mum of three school age children needs to do.

One thing I find helps with the woollies is fresh air and gentle exercise, and if that can be taken somewhere with far reaching scenic views then the positive effects are even better. J and I try to take ourselves out into the nearby countryside whenever we can, sometimes just the two of us and sometimes with the Little People trailing along. The weather is often questionable but we venture out regardless and I always feel happier and (slightly more) energised afterwards.

These photos were taken one afternoon last week, a spontaneous decision to head up onto the moors for a quick blast of scenery and fresh air. We ended up walking further than we'd planned, tramping along undulating pathways around the two reservoirs that nestle among the heather, moss and grasses of the high moorland. It was quite brown (oh, how I longed for the purple hues of the summer heather!), but I did really delight in all the rampant moss which was looking very vibrant and fetching. I do so love to see a mossy hillock glowing in the afternoon light. I love moss, I do.

Six miles later, we made it back to the car as the light began to fade. We had to power walk the last mile and a half (it's not easy to power walk over soggy moorland terrain) and only just made it back into town in time for the school pick up. Phew. It was a bit worrisome for a while, but I was so happy that we had gotten out there, to breathe in lungfuls of cold fresh air and stride about a bit. Definitely good for the soul.

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Comments

[hanaaaa]

https://ahanonline.com

[Jeanne]

Hi Lucy, I just found your blog and would love to subscribe, but there appears to be something wrong with the button. Whenever I click it, it just displays the code for this page.

[Jessica]

Hi Lucy,
What a nice way to start and end a day, reading this post. :) Great photos too :)
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers,
Jessica

[Kathie]

These photos tug at my heart strings. I so enjoyed All Creatures Great and Small and these take me right back to that old series. I'm just going to have to buy it, I think. Loved those stories. You're so lucky living where you do and being young and fit enuf to take it all in. I know you struggle with the light. It's undeniably a condition to be wrestled with. My husband has it too. I push him out the door or into his window chair all the time. Carry on. We know you can and will. After all, we need to keep enjoying your beautiful color schemes and art works. We love you, after all. Thank you for all you do.

[Kristine Schipp]

It is all so topsy turvy, England winter, Aussie summer!
Here: cicadas are screaming, it's been raining even though hot, Christmas bush is rich red... brilliant lorrikeets, Rosellas & King parrots twittering...
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrY53TuAk3u/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=vvgnzm4lxdmn
Roll on your spring. I'll just revel in warmth, rays & anticipated sweet peas... ;o)

[Linne]

Lucy, I wish I were still able to come to your Knit n Natter on Friday mornings; we could probably all commiserate about the winter blues! I worked with two ladies who suffered a lot from it and both of them bought the SAD lamps to use at their desks (we were in a basement room with no windows, so no natural light - arrived in the dark of morning and left after sundown in the evening); it helped both of them a lot. I've never had the budget for that, but will get one when possible.

For now, I try to be patient with myself and do a little pampering from day to day. Looking forward to the spring and making plans helps me, too.

I love your photos; they make me feel as though I am there again! I love that you take the time to take them and then share them with us.

Do take care of yourself, will you? You are very dear to so many. And remember, spring is coming . . .

Love and warm hugs. ~ Linne from British Columbia

[Savannagal]

Oh how I wish I lived next door to you. Those views are unbelievably beautiful. Thanks for brightening my day.

[Nadine G]

Je vous souhaite une belle journée, BONNE FETE. A bientôt de vous lire sur votre blog. Je vous embrasse.

[Green Girl Gardener]

I’m completely with you with the woolies. I struggle to keep my mood up when everything is so grey and dreary and wet and my head feels like it’s a few steps behind the rest of me. I find a SAD light helps to take the edge of it, but really I just need it to be Spring. Your posts help to cheer an otherwise dreary and uninspiring season though - thank you Lucy xx.

[Eilidh]

Maybe get your vitamin D levels checked, Lucy?

[Nicolette]

Hmmm - so descriptive as usual Lucy, with stunning photos. But I'm wondering if the title is a hint of another blanket? Imagine how those colours would look in soft, squishy yarn...

[Ida]

Beautiful landscape! And why am I suddenly thinking of Jane Eyre??
Take care
Ida

[cathy]

well done for making an effort. Lots off us struggle with life. you are doing well. please can someone tell me why I can't comment on your Facebook page. thank you.

[Angela Gray]

You definitely do the right thing, be out and about and face the season.
Learn to love it if you can, it’s part of our life and it would be a shame to not enjoy it. Think of the positives!

Dust doesn’t show up as much, ignore it.
The carpets don’t need vacuuming as much because you can’t see the bits as easily.
Cooking takes on a new meaning with golden and green veggies just waiting to be made into heartwarming soups and stews with lentils and meat or not depending on your choice.
Ramp up the mushroom intake, they are full of vitamin D.
How beautiful the trees look with their skeletons against the skyline.
Signs of spring already there with little green shoots popping through the soil.
Buds forming on the trees waiting for the signal which always comes.
Girlfriends to catch up with.
Laughter.
Children.
Love.
So much joy waiting for you to embrace.

[Debbie]

I know what you mean. I don't like the grey days and the short days at all but if the sky is bright I do feel much better.
But getting out in the fresh air does help! And a big view helps me fill my lungs with fresh air and feel reinvigorated for a while.
Soon the days WILL start to lengthen again though!! In the meantime, keep recharging with hot chocolate, coffee (adding a dash of Baileys is good!!!) and mulled wine - that's my plan!!!

[Jennie]

What a lovely post. I find the winter hard too but I have actually learned to love it, the colours are more muted it’s true but there is so much colour there still if you look. The birch trees look purple, oak bark is green, and I love the way you can see all the twigs on the trees reaching into the sky. I function better in the cooler weather (although living in Somerset it’s much milder here than Yorkshire). Still it’s the perfect excuse to light the fire and snuggle down with a book or a craft project and a sneaky chocolate biscuit! Merry Christmas 🎄

[Donna Philpott]

We've got alot of grey days here, too, in middle Tennessee. I try to make it cozy in here with a lit candle, the lit Christmas tree, & some crochet or a good book. Actually, I kind of like it, but it's good to get out & go to town ever now & then. It can be depressing & life seems to be a never-ending battle to stay content. Your posts are a great help, too! Your photos are wonderful.

[Kimmy]

I actually love winter since I have to work much less to keep my garden alive. Love your pictures. There's something about land seemingly untouched by human hands, not polluted and in all its natural glory. It's truly uplifting to the spirit. Like you, we try to venture out for a walk whenever we can. And if it's in some beautiful place like this, it's all the more enjoyable. Thanks for sharing.

[Hedy]

We have snow here and absolutely no beautiful areas to walk as you do. I don’t like being indoors so much and look forward to warmer days coming up, going to Texas is much warmer than here in St. Louis.

[mrs. smythe]

Outdoor walks always make me feel better as well. And you have so many beautiful areas to walk close by! Hang in there - just a few more weeks and the days will start to lengthen again. :)

[Miss Daisy]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE winter and fall - feel alive and energized . I would gladly trade places with you. It's usually not here and humid just zaps my strength and energy.

[Jools]

It's not long until the Solstice now, Lucy - the light is coming,never fear xx

[Teresa Kasner]

I can relate to the wooly feeling of winter, but I'm retired and can sleep until 9 am and sit by the fire in our cozy farmhouse. My favorite photo was the manor house (looking, not sure what kind of structure it was) at the end of the road across the moor.. it made me think of Wuthering Heights.

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*H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Elise]

I just love your photos and honesty! I struggle through the winter months here in North Carolina and the darkness gets to me at times. I also enjoy getting outside and breathing some fresh air, it almost always cheers me up as well. Glad y'all made it back to pick up the kiddos in time!

[Kate]

Cocoa, knitting and/or a good book gets me through the dark days. I know they will soon pass as the days are going by so quickly anyway and in a few months it will be Spring again. I love the colors of the moors and am envious that you get to walk among them.