Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White

Spring has arrived so took the opportunity to have a wander round The Cities war Memorial Park and take some photos of the burst of colour that the spring brings. Spring as seem to have come a little earlier this year it wasn't till April last year that we where out doing the same thing. Rain Rain Rain and more rain everywhere we go at the moment we seem to end up in a mud bath. The rivers are at bursting point. We will soon be out on our long evening walks again all be it with whellies. Enjoy the Spring will be back shortly.

Spring In The City Photos

Spring In The City Slideshow

Land Sea And Snow

February so far as been a busy month and passed fairly quickly for me. The first part of the month saw us once again in one of our favorite walking places. This was near Church Stretton, Shropshire and The Long Mynd with its high peaks, moors and beautiful landscape views of The West Midlands and Wales beyond. Was a mild Friday day for February and the sun shone all day. The wind was a bit fierce in places but this added to my enjoyment. We shared the day with a friend who also enjoyed the walk and was very helpful with Spritzer and kept her from trying to chase sheep which is a big no ! no !.

On the proceeding Sunday saw Jon, Spritzer and I walking round Edgehill, Warwickshire where we came across a secluded village called Ratley which seemed to have been tucked away amongst the Warwickshire hills and time forgotten about, it had a little surreal feeling for me. While on our walk we came across a field of alpacas which was a exciting and unusual find, not the sought of things you expect to see out on a local walk.

One of the most recent events and topics of late I guess as been the weather where we got a taste of winter with two days of solid snow which left a deep white blanket on the ground and the trees and roof tops covered. We don't get snow like that here too often so was a little bit of a novelty despite causing some dicey driving conditions and a little inconvenience. Spritzer loved it and we had great fun rolling gigantic snowballs in the local park.

After the snow cleared and the rain melted what was left we headed to Ashford, Kent to drive some friends to a bikers club meeting they are known as the DOGS. While we were down in Kent Jon and I headed on to Dover and took the ferry across The Channel to Calais. The journey was pleasant as the sun came out for a little while just as we were leaving Dover which left a bright shimmer on the sea. The white cliffs of Dover as always looked impressive as we left England’s shores. Calais was an experience with its little boutiques and interesting shops to peer through most fronted by colourful neon signs. We treated our self to some cheap goodies on the boat on our sailing back which where a lot cheaper than in the UK. Was an interesting day but very tiring as we left Coventry at 7.30am and did not arrive home till 3am next day.

Well that's about it now happy traveling and may your God go with you where ever you go

Land Sea And Snow Photos
Winter Walk Edgehill
Church Stretton And Long Mynd Photos
You Tube Long Mynd

Ilmington Downs

It was a mild winters weekend Saturday which saw us out and about in The South Warwickshire Village of Ilmington just inside The Cotwolds near The Gloucestershire Warwickshire boarder. The short journey of twenty five miles from Coventry was pleasant in the winter sunshine. The views where good and we could see The Malverns where we walked last week in the distant. Also we could see the skyline of home (Coventry) twenty three miles away in the distant. Was a fairly gentle walk to the top of the downs and round back to the beautiful village of Ilmington which is famous for its Morris dancing and one of the first outside BBC Broadcasts. The terrain was a little muddy in places and did get a little heavy under foot but lots of puddles and a few streams to wash it off. All in all a nice day out in the country left us all relaxed, refreshed and I did certainly sleep well that night. I have found this winter so far with the walks, a lot more sunshine and milder than usual easier to get through. Happy trekking !

Ilmington Downs Photos

Ilmington Downs Slide Show

A Lot Of Reward For Little Gain

It is becoming a habit now our visits with friends to the Malverns last week was with our friend Max, today we were in the good company of Emma and Graham and Sunday tommorow we have another day planned with our good friends Robert and Dawn and there dog Sam. The Malverns is a great place to share peoples company. Everyone seems to enjoy the walks and the Malverns are not too strenious for beginners. Our last few walks we have had fine weather if but a little windy. January as had rather a spring feel to it so far daffodils starting to pop there heads up and the snow drops are now in bloom which is very unuseual for this time of year seems like winter never came but there is still time I guess. There as been lots of flooding and wind but no snow or hard frosty sub zeros so far. Glad that we are out and about on our walks again and Christmas as certainly faded in to the distance.

The Malvern Hills. One of our favourite walks. There are many places to park if by car, or by train to Great Malvern or Colwell Station (from Birmingham about £8.00 at the right time). Brown signs appear on the main motorways. Car parks appear all around the hills, these ask for
£2.00 per stay (all day), this pays for conservation of the area.

Free car parking can be found at the above railway station, but you will be negotiating muddy footpaths before reaching the dry and hard rock of the hill ridge. I was eager to reach the highest points along the way as I have a burning desire to be in the clouds. The views are always stunning and as the title suggests a lot of reward for little gain. Yes it does get tough for very short periods, but really you can take it easy, plenty of benches appear along most paths.

Ascent seems pretty fast, the tops of the ridge can be extremely windy so it’s worth having duvet type clothing, secure hats and gloves if walking in winter as this brings the wind chill factor 10 degrees below what it really is.

Places to walk and look out for going south; Herefordshire Beacon on British Camp, an extremely interesting site with Roman earth works. Surrounding this are the reservoir, the view of the Malvern Priory dated 1171, Clutter’s Cave (tiny), in the distance an obelisk of Eastnor castle.

Places to walk and look out for going north; Stunning 360 degree views all along the ridge, the highest summit will look far away until it is almost upon you, the highest point of the hills is the Worcestershire Beacon which is 425 metres (1395ft). You can see 5 counties of England to the East and The Black mountains of Wales to the West.

I am exhausted now, so please enjoy our pictures and consider the Hills
as a fantastic day out.

Malvern Hills Colwell Jan 20th With Emma And Graham

Malvern Hills Jan 15th With Max

A Week Before Christmas

The week before Christmas.
I must say that the week before Christmas is a crushing experience. A part of me wishes not to be sucked in to the commercialism, the other,well, simply wants to enjoy the experience without forgetting what it is all about.

In my books, Christmas is about getting as far away from the runaway greed as possible. I hope to do this by keeping things as simple as I can, and offering as much help to those that need it.
Since the many trips to Birmingham, we have been thoughtful as to what to get our friends and family as gifts of our appreciation of their friendship. It’s difficult isn’t it! If I had the talent and time to make these things I would have done so ,but some will probably insist on presents with at least a little computing power on board, so you have to choose carefully.

The Dog gives us great pleasure and gets us out everyday... onto muddy stretches (reminds me – must get some waterproof boots), so she will be getting the laptop she wanted, no seriously she’ll probably be allowed to watch “One man and his Dog” ( loves to smack into the telly when sheep are being rounded up).

It seems the dog has a taste for anything in white, so it wouldn't surprise you to learn that Paul's Mum's furry snowman had to be rescued.

Our Dog Spritzer has introduced us to many new muddyf ootpaths, with interesting people and their interesting pets, most recently a Goshawk out hunting with its owner(check out the photos).

Well time to find a branch and hang bacon on it, possibly allow myself a few sprigs of holly.
Have fun everyone,
and remember excesses in this life always need to be paid for!
xx
Jon
Week Before Christmas Photos

Week Before Christmas Slide Show

Bright Lights And Tinsel

Well its that time of year again when things get a little hectic on the social front. Not been out walking much as Jon as been busy on work projects and the days are too short. Apart from that things have got very busy. The Christmas period as seemed to have kicked off. It all started off on December 3rd my birthday with a trip to Aston Hall. Aston incidentally is where most of the Houghton side of my family originate so nice to go back to some roots. Aston Hall by candle light was very atmospheric and a Jacobean Christmas was created for us. We saw sword fighting, and actors all round the hall playing their parts very well. The most enjoyable part for me was the music in The Main Hall and a musician playing the hurdy gurdy. I also found the Jacobean kitchen very interesting too.

This week also saw us at a pig roast and Christmas fayre with our friends and their family at Hoars Farm, Warwickshire with carols a brass band and some rather large working dogs giving children's rides. We had a nice free mince pie and a hot glass of mulled wine to wash it down with, which was very comforting on such a cold evening. Our friend's son got to see Santa and then it was back to there place for a nice welcome cup of hot chocolate.

This Saturday saw us having a wonder around Coventry City Centre mingling with the busy Christmas shoppers and admiring the carousel , Christmas lights and a rather large Ferris wheel that as appeared for the season. A sit down for a nice hot jacket potato and a cup of tea before heading back to the car via the canal basin which had been spruced up for Christmas with a few lights and a tree.

Sunday we had a very enjoyable evening out in The City of Birmingham for The Christmas Canal Boat Parade. It Was great fun with fireworks and some very imaginative illuminated narrow boats which paraded down the canal from The International Convention Centre to The Mail Box. Wish I could share more photos of the boats but it was rather difficult taking photos of moving objects at night.

We then took a stroll through Centenary square past symphony Hall and the seasonal out door ice rink where I like to have a skate sometime over the season. Then it was past the theatres that will soon be filled with the laughter of the traditional pantomime. After it was up Broad Street with its many clubs and restaurants where we enjoyed mingling with those out for there evenings entertainment. As we strolled we took in the sights and sounds of the bustling street with its many lights.

I will be in Birmingham again on Wednesday with a friend but this time it will be in the day time. I am really excited as it is the first time I am going to see the Nut Cracker Ballet so looking very much forward to that.

that's about it for now if I don't update my blog before Christmas have a good one and all the very best.

Birmingham At Night And Canal Boat Parade

Birmingham At Night And Canal Boat Parade Slide Show

Aston Hall By Candle Light

Aston Hall By Candle Light Slide Show

PS: Would Have Had More Pictures Of Aston Hall but Photograghy was forbidden and this all we could get away with

December 2006 More Photos

December 2006 More Photos Slide Show

Autumn Walk @ Symonds Yat

Symonds Yat. Gloucestershire/Herefordshire. From Coventry: M42, M5 to J8,
M50 to Ross then A40 Whitchurch. Journey Time : 90 minutes.

Weather was kind to us again although the sunshine levels were lower than recent Trips. We parked at the Yat Rock, on reflection perhaps parking should have been at the bottom near the river so that you don’t have an enormous ascent at the end of your walk.

Incidentally just before parking up we came via the B4234 through Walford and viewed the Goodrich Castle (ruin) but nevertheless grand.

We had Paul’s Nephew with us today as he boasted that he could beat us “Old Men” at the pace of the walk (Yeah Right! – ready for a challenge then!).

Yat Rock has many facilities including toilets Shop and information Centre. We
started a descent from this very picturesque park with fantastic views and Peregrine Falcons, down towards the river. A little tricky in places. We Met on the Way a couple who hailed from Coventry and of course Paul did what he does best and that’s his talk for England, party trick.

Actually this turned out quite useful as we learned that Wild Boar are present in
the forest bits and that they had recently been spotted, and of course that all important evasive action ( which is to move slowly out of the way – no sudden moves ).

We then followed the river, where rather cool activities (I thought) were taking place – Canoeing, Kyaking over rapids. Umm. We walked for about 1 mile to Biblins Bridge. Built by the Forestry Commission, easy to walk across assuming you don’t have a teenager at the other end shaking the structure. Eventually when the thing had calmed down, I was able to start shooting photos again.

A quick group discussion decided on aiming for the Severn Sisters Rock and then on to Arthur’s Cave. Ascending up and Through Lords Wood, we took in the beautiful sights and smells and the bleating Nephew (Jake).

To be fair Jake did very well considering that his shoe wear was not particularly suitable, I recommend at this point good non pinching hiking boots with 2 layers of sock, and make sure your toenails are cut as these will get a hammering as you descend.

Severn Sisters rock was – well you’ll see from the pictures. We had Paul nearly having a stroke telling us to keep back from the edge. Paul wanted us to carry on to Arthur’s cave, But as time was getting on and the cave rather elusive (I was told) it was time to consider a route back to the rock where we believe the car park closes at 5pm i.e. a gate is locked.

A pretty path was found down to the river with rocky crags mixed with trees and finally a path which said no access to river, so Paul got his “you can’t read a map” Gob on!

Well we were just lucky, it did. Although when we finally arrived at the ferry point to get us back over, no ferryman. Our team got me to search around for an alternative passage. Well I had visions of bribing a canoeist to give us 4 trips (3 people and a dog).

Luckily the ferry man was in the pub and didn’t finish till 11pm. Phew! The final ascent Up to the rock was a killer, but all in all it was an exhilarating day, and the “Old Men” Beat the teenager to the top!

Well done to Jake he did very well under the circumstances.

Thanks for listening Jon.

To Symonds Yat Photos

To Symonds Yat Slide Show

November 5th

Hi its Paul back at the elm today. No long hill walk this Sunday but an evening in The City of Birmingham for a firework display instead. Was a lovely fun night. I love the excitement of the City at night with all the neon lights, high risers, revellers and sounds. Tonight we got to Birmingham a little late but made it just in time for the show. The evening for me had a very nice comospolitan feel to it with people of all shades and colours and from all over the world coming together for a good and enjoyable evening out. The crowds where rather large so had to be careful we didn't get lost in them. I don't usually like crowds but tonight was one of those exceptions and I coped well. It took us a long time to get parked as the traffic was very busy.

No bonfire tonight but a great funfair which my niece Abbie enjoyed. I wasn't brave enough for some of the rides but did enjoy the dodgem cars. The show was good with steel animals representing the four elements. The dazzling fireworks where accompanied to laser's and music representing many countries of the world with large screens with images of each country. I enjoyed The Indian and America part best especially "New York New York" which is always a good track for fireworks. Its one of the only nights of the year I would love to live in one the highrise tower blocks around the ground with a free birds eye view display of the cites fireworks below.

All in all a pleasant evening.

Fun Fair Movie On The Dodgems

November 5th Photos

November 5th Slide Show