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

[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.

[Sharon]

Sounds a little like you might be suffering from Winter Blues. As well as fresh air and exercise, light therapy is helpful too.

If you Google SADA (the Seasonal Affective Disorder website) they have lots of helpful hints and tips, also lists of suppliers of Light Boxes - high light-intensity sunlight replacement lamps. I use one from end of October til the clocks change in March for an hour every morning. Come February I'm ready to throw it through the window, but it makes life so much easier really. Particularly as some years Winter Blues can deteriorate into full-blown Depression, sometimes Sectionably so.

[Einat]

Oh, Lucy
Your words are simply a delight.

[Linda]

You should definitely write a novel, Lucy, you certainly know how to completely catch the moment! ❤️

[wendy]

What a wonderful walk and it also took me back to my visit the last 2 years and the walks we went on in all sorts of weather ♥♥ Keep warm and enjoy those lovely warm fires inside xo

[Ann Chapman]

I love the changing seasons in the UK. Each one is so different from the one before but the weather is ever changing and always different. One thing is for sure - it won’t stay the same for long. I’m waiting to have an unexpected operation and will be unable to do very much between now and the end of January. I will appreciate the freedom to get out and about so much more after that!

[Zoe]

Your first paragraph perfectly sums up how I feel this time of year too. I live in the Seattle area which is very gray and wet, and it just starts to feel so oppressive. Of course, I have to bite my tongue, it is an unseasonably gorgeous sunny day today, but cold!

[Sew Ruthie]

I've just got a Lumie Vitamin L from John Lewis (they seemed to have the best price) and its fab like indoor sunshine. I have a dose every day.

[CJ]

I do love a good view for miles, and what an amazing wild place. Rushing back in the fading light is so nice when you get back to the warmth and light of home. I know what you mean about the woolliness, it's hard to get going sometimes. I think we are programmed deep down in our DNA to hibernate a little in the winter. CJ xx