We were all in need of some fresh air and exercise, so Richard, Elinor and I drove to Walberswick Woods last Friday afternoon. The woods are part of the larger Walberswick Nature Reserve which is jointly managed by Natural England, the RSPB and Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Richard in Walberswick Woods
The day was cold; the temperature was just above freezing but the strong northerly wind made it very bitter indeed. It was just after 2 pm and the sun was shining but it was so low in the sky we walked in shadow for most of the time.
Elinor in Walberswick Woods
The low sun shining through the pine trees.
The bracken fronds had died and were a soft silvery-fawn colour.
We found some fungi amongst the fallen leaves.
Halfway round this short walk we saw the marshes through the trees.
The River Blyth flows through the marshes and is tidal here.
To our left up a short rise, a tall stand of pine trees kept us in shadow
This part of the wood is known as Deadman’s Covert. A covert is usually a piece of overgrown woodland (a thicket) that game (pheasants, partridge, deer) or foxes can hide in.
and to our right was the Blyth estuary and the marshes and a keen wind blowing.
We found a Holly tree with a few berries left.
We found a number of Puffball Fungi
Not much left of this one!
These trees snapped off half way up their trunks show how windy it can be here
The light shining through the seedheads of the Common Reeds as they danced in the wind.
Away from the marsh it was brighter and less windy. We admired the snakeskin bark of this tree.
The path through the wood
The sun shot beams of light through the trees
The straight ride through the wood. A ride is a path through woods for riding horses on.
The sun was getting even lower in the sky
Only the tops of these trees were lit now
I had wanted to collect pine cones to use as Christmas decorations but they were all so small after our dry year. You can see a couple on this branch.
The gorse was in flower. ‘When gorse is out of bloom, kissing’s out of fashion’. Gorse is never out of bloom!
Our walk over, we drove to my mother’s house to see how she was as she had been without a land-line phone all week because of a fault. She had her fire alight and we had a lovely hot cup of tea with her.
Thanks for visiting!
markspitzerdesigns said:
Over the metaphorical river and through the woods to a lovely hot cup of tea with your mother. Sounds awfully civilized to me.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Mark! Your comment made me smile!
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dobetteralways said:
I used to love finding the puff fungi when I was younger…it looked like a fun walk, even if it was cold out.
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Clare Pooley said:
It was, thank-you.
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susanpoozan said:
You were brave going walking on such a cold day, lots of lovely photographs from the woods. I liked the quote about gorse!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Susan; fortunately, it was a short walk!
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margaret21 said:
I know and love the gorse saying too. All the same, gorse in December …. lovely winter post.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Margaret.
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derrickjknight said:
Another enticing tour, with good use of the available light. When I lived in Newark, I would run through Stapleford woods in shorts and a vest. The temperature dropped considerably among the trees, and speeded me up considerably 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
My goodness, the thought of running in these temperatures in just shorts and vest makes me shiver! Thank-you for your kind comment, Derrick.
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unionhomestead said:
I loved the sun touching the edges of the trees. Beautiful! I am also reeling at the thought of a telephone fault leaving the Customer without a landline for an entire week. Crazy!!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Sharon. Yes, Mum was without a landline for nine days. It took us three phone calls to get the work done. Mum has a mobile phone but can’t/won’t use it so we worried all the time in case she had a fall or there was a similar emergency. We visited her a lot!
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unionhomestead said:
Nine days?! That must have been a major fault. Or another example of the huge void between the service industry and empathy. Glad all is back to normal😊
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Clare Pooley said:
It was fairly major but only took one man two hours to fix once he had eventually turned up! Fortunately it was all the phone company’s responsibility so Mum didn’t have to pay a penny!
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Jill Weatherholt said:
You all take the best walks, Clare. Thanks for taking us along. I’m happy you had a nice visit with your mother. I’ll be spending time with mine later today. Have a great weekend! xo
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Jill. We have another cold and frosty weekend but no more snow! I hope your weekend is going well and you had a good visit with your mother. xo
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Jill Weatherholt said:
It was a wonderful visit…thank you, Clare. Stay warm! xo
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Clare Pooley said:
🙂 xo
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Richard Sutton said:
What fine woods. Though cold, you chose a good day for your walk.Your shots of the sun’s rays shining through the trees are delightful. Sunlit winter woods are beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Richard. The sunlight was very beautiful but it had no warmth at all!
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Gallivanta said:
That was definitely a breath of fresh air; bracing fresh air. Did you get any of the recent snow?
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Anne. Yes we did get snow – three separate falls but it didn’t last very long. The final patch in the cold corner of the garden disappeared a couple of days ago. A very frosty morning today.
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Gallivanta said:
I hope a frosty morning means a sunny day, as it would here.
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Clare Pooley said:
We had a couple of hours of sunshine then the clouds arrived and by the afternoon we had heavy rain. It is much milder now and I think will stay this temperature (about 6C ) until after Christmas. That will certainly make travelling about easier!
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KerryCan said:
Brrrrr! Your photos look lovely, but I can see it’s cold! I love the low light of the sun this time of year and the photos of the leaf-covered path are especially pretty.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Kerry. I hope you haven’t too much bad weather at the moment.
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Laurie Graves said:
So lovely to go on a walk with you. A beautiful place, complete with a tidal river. I bet that tea tasted pretty darned good—as my Yankee husband would say.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Laurie. Yes the tea was very welcome indeed!
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Lavinia Ross said:
A cold but beautiful walk, Clare. Winter has its beauty. A fine day capped off with a lovely cup of hot tea with your mother. 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Lavinia!
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Sheila said:
I love the sun shining through the trees and reeds with hints of water here and there. It looks a lot like the woods around here with the pine and marshlands – maybe because we were connected at one time before the whole continental drift thing. I’m glad you were able to go on such a beautiful walk and then have tea with your mother – it sounds like the perfect wintry thing to do.
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Clare Pooley said:
It was a very pleasant thing to do – thank-you, Sheila.
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Andrea Stephenson said:
What beautiful light Clare, it looks like a wonderful walk, thank you for taking me with you!
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure, Andrea and thank-you!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
That looks like a great place to walk, and no bears is a big plus.
You have to wonder what the story behind a place called Deadman’s Covert is. I wonder if it was given the name just to keep little boys from going in a scaring all the game birds away.
I’m all for any flower brave enough to bloom in December so gorse gets my vote. I wish we had it here. And it’s good to know that kissing never goes out of fashion in my old home country.
It sounds like your mom could use a cell phone for Christmas!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Allen. I am not sure why the covert is called ‘Deadman’. It may be for the reason you have given or because it is quite close to the crossroads where there was a gibbet in days gone by. Either way no-one would want to lurk about there, especially after dark!
Gorse is one of the hardiest plants I know and lives well on poor, sandy soil. It is covered in spines but the flowers are lovely and are coconut-scented.
My mother has a cell phone and has had one for some years! She won’t/can’t use it though we have shown her how a number of times. She keeps it in a drawer and it’s battery is always flat. We have put about £30 credit on it and advise her to keep it charged but no, all to no avail! I worry about her all the time and when the weather is bad or when, as recently, she has a faulty phone or a power-cut I worry even more. Mothers!!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
Change comes hard to some of us!
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Clare Pooley said:
It does! 🙂
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tootlepedal said:
You have to get a walk in when you can at this time of year.
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Clare Pooley said:
Definitely!
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Karen's Nature Art said:
What a nice walk, even if it was cold. You have a good eye for seeing beauty in the winter!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Karen.
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quietsolopursuits said:
A fine walk indeed! You have a great eye for finding the beauty in nature this time of year, and photographing it as well. And, what could be better after such a walk than tea and time with family.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you so much for your very kind comment, Jerry!
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Orts and Gribbles said:
I know Walberswick woods fairly well and I love all the views down the rides. You’ve taken some really beautiful photos!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much!
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Annika Perry said:
Clare, thank you for sharing your walk with us…it’s magical this time of year with the low sunlight through the trees. Your post has me wanting to head out in our nature reserve area next to the house – the weather is perfect frosty and sunny wintery! And what a perfect finale with a cuppa at your mother’s place. I hope she soon has a landline and that she has a mobile signal. Hugs 😀❤️
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you for your kind comment, Annika. Mum has her landline back again now and has a much better mobile signal than we do but won’t/can’t use her mobile phone! She is a worry to me!
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Annika Perry said:
My father in law was like that…he never used the mobile or took it with him when around the house or out!! Drove us barmy with worry, bless him. Glad your mum has the landline back at least! Ha! I had to laugh that she has better mobile signal than you…that is a problem round these parts. I had to change carrier as my old one doesn’t operate in the vilLage. Weird! Xx
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Clare Pooley said:
xx 🙂 xx
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Lisa G. said:
I’m thinking that your sunset is a bit earlier than ours. Right now we’re at about 4:20 and that’s as late as it’ll be – we’ve started to go back. The gorse is pretty, and that’s a cute little saying!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Lisa. Yes today sunrise was at 8 am and sunset at 3.42 pm but like you the sunset is already a couple of minutes later than it was on Thursday. The days are so short!
It is a pretty little saying!
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Lisa G. said:
Sunrise at 8! Wow, that is late. Tomorrow’s sun will rise here at 7:12. But your winters are milder than ours. 🙂
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Helen said:
I love trees and so enjoy the walk in retrospect!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Helen!
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Helen said:
You’re welcome!
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Jane Sturgeon said:
So much heartfelt love, care and ‘homeliness’ nestling in your words and pictures lovely Clare. I love Walberswick, even the name conjures up magic. Much love and hugs for you and Richard, Alice and Elinor. ❤ xXx ❤
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, my dear Jane! Love and hugs xx ❤ xx
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Ste J said:
Deadman’s Covert is a wonderfully dramatic name, I love walks like this, the crunching of leaves and the crisp air. I felt like I was walking along with you, I bet that cuppa was welcome.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Ste J. Yes the cuppa was just what we wanted!
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Liz said:
Winter + woods = perfection! especially when it can be followed up with a warm fire and a cup of tea – heaven! 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Liz! 🙂
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Sheryl @ Flowery Prose said:
Wonderful captures of a lovely, if cold, walk! Your photo of the common reed seedheads is particularly beautiful.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Sheryl!
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The Thrifty Campers said:
The seedheads of the common reeds is a spectacular shot!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much!
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quercuscommunity said:
My dad always kept his mobile switched off, as it was only for emergencies. Now he’s in a home we know he’s safe, even though my sister got called out last week as he was refusing medical help. 🙂
Looks like a lovely walk in the woods.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you Simon; it was a wonderful walk! I had a feeling that there would be a number of people who would understand the problems I am facing at the moment! 😉
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quercuscommunity said:
Yes, parents are a worry – I think they are getting their own back!
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Clare Pooley said:
Haha! You’re probably right!
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mypeacockbooks said:
Lovely photos, there’s still something really peaceful and tranquil about nature even when it’s close to winter and so many plants and trees are dying or hibernating for the wintertime. But I don’t envy the cold, I felt chilly looking at some of those pictures!
I hope your visit was nice, hot tea is just perfect at warming you up after a chilly walk 🙂
Sorry for being slow to get back to your blog, I’ve been a bit busy with Christmas and barely gave time to blog as well as so many things happening. Its just hectic. If I don’t speak to you before then, I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas ❤ 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Cat! The walk was beautiful and just what we needed but oh, so cold! Hot tea at Mum’s house was the best thing!
There is never any need to apologise for responding late to my posts! I have awful trouble trying to keep up with the blogs I follow and don’t have much time for writing new posts either! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and that 2018 is a healthier and happier year for you xx
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bitaboutbritain said:
I think you need to tell us the history behind Deadman’s Covert, Clare; can’t leave it hanging… I’ve loved tagging along on your walks this year and this one is no exception – wonderful photographs, gentle narrative – perfect! That said, those wind-blown trees look as though they’ve been shelled. Anyway, all of you have a wonderful Christmas and an even better New Year. Best regards, Mike.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Mike. I agree, I ought to find out more about Deadman’s Covert. I considered it as I was writing the post but knew it would take me ages and then the post might not have got published. The damaged trees did look terrible! I am not sure when it happened; maybe storm Doris in February when our summerhouse was reduced to matchwood!
I hope you and yours have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, Mike!
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Charlotte Hoather said:
I love woods, I used to collect pine cones to paint and we’d play rounder with them with sticks and make wigwams. Beautiful photos they’ve made me want to go for a walk now at the weekend.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Charlotte! My brother, sister and I used to love our trips to the woods when we were young and raced about like crazy! I am a little more sedate now but still enjoy myself exceedingly! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family! xx
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whitefeatherfloating said:
You sure live in a beautiful place, Clare! 🙂 Great photos!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Patsy! 🙂
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whitefeatherfloating said:
You’re welcome Clare. 😊
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Clare Pooley said:
🙂
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Cynthia Reyes said:
Oh, I’m so glad to read this post! Although the day was cold, it seems like a lovely walk. I enjoyed the photos, and especially those dappled with light and shadows. Wishing you and Richard and Alice and Elinor – and your mother and other relatives – a warm and joyous Christmas, Clare. Thanks for being my blogger friend. You’re a treasure.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you so much, Cynthia! I hope you, Hamlin and your family have a wonderfully blessed and happy Christmas. I thank you for being my blogging friend too!
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Ayesha☆Kishwar said:
Such stunning pictures.
I would love to see more of Suffolk 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Ayesha!
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EveryoneLovesTess said:
This is on my ‘to visit’ list!
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Clare Pooley said:
😀
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womanseyeview said:
You take such delightful walks but the thing that always amazes me is how much you take notice of…things that others might pass by. You must be a great walking companion.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much! My husband finds me a bit slow and has given up waiting for me on our walks!
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Nathan Rogers said:
What a gorgeous area. I took my daughter on a pinecone hunt recently and managed to gather a few large ones. We painted them. There were a lot of small ones too which makes sense from your comment about the dry year- it’s been extremely dry here.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Nathan. I always loved painting pine cones when I was a little girl and I still enjoy it though I often use spray paint now which wasn’t around in the old days!
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Beverley Bloxham said:
I live in a small village in Australia. Thank you for taking me for a walk on the other side of the world.
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure, Beverley!
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Beverley Bloxham said:
Hi Clare – thanks for checking out my blog… you might be interested in reading about some of my walks with my dog around our historic village: https://walkswithpumpkin.wordpress.com/
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Clare Pooley said:
Thanks very much for the link to your other blog – I’ll be returning soon!
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navasolanature said:
Looks a wonderful reserve and very wintry. Glad you have had some time in the outdoors. Have a very good 2018.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Georgina. Best wishes to you too, for 2018.
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wholelottarosie said:
I enjoy looking at your photos, Clare. Yes, a walk in the forest is always relaxing, especially in winter. At the moment we have the same weather as in your photos. It’s cold and sunny, but there’s no snow.
Clare, I wish you all the best…💕
Rosie from Germany
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Rosie. We are very cold here and there is black ice on all the roads but the sun shines and all looks very beautiful! Best wishes, Clare ❤
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wholelottarosie said:
❄️🙋♀️❄️
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