Sign at Scrooby Top
Sunny weather was predicted for Friday and that forecast came true. I should have set out earlier but as the old saying goes - better late than never. It was 1pm when Clint touched down in the tiny estate village of Serlby in North Nottinghamshire. Of course, night comes much earlier nowadays - more so since we in Britain put our clocks back last Sunday. I knew that by five o'clock it would be dark.
I had planned a circular walk and printed off the requisite map. I guessed that it would take me around three hours and so it came to pass. If felt so good to put one foot in front of the other once again, moving gradually over the landscape.
By 4pm I was drinking hot coffee from a flask with Clint's tailgate lifted. I had seen many things in the afternoon, marched like a soldier and taken fifty six pictures. At one point two snarling Alsatian dogs bounced down to the bottom of their long garden to greet me with their raucous barking. They were not saying a friendly "Hello". Thank heavens there was wire netting between us.
I saw an oak tree on Moor Lane, a bungalow by The Great North Road in Ranskill, a cat and a pig at Scrooby Top Farm, sunshine piercing the trees on the path that runs by Black Cat Plantation and one of the old gatehouses connected with Serlby Hall's estate...
That old gatehouse fascinates me. I wonder what it's used for now. If it has a kitchen it might make a nice little home for an aging pensioner.
ReplyDeleteThere are many such gatehouses in England. This was once an especially small one but it has been extended quite significantly at the back. The picture is rather deceptive.
DeleteLovely photos. I love the gatehouse as well. It looks so cozy.
ReplyDeleteAerial imagery shows that this tiny gatehouse has been extended significantly at the rear.
DeleteThe change in time really cuts our evenings shorter.
ReplyDeleteI am not a morning person. I do not require more light in the morning.
DeleteThe pig seems rather interested in the cat but it doesn't seem reciprocal. The leaves are hanging on for now. Large windows with small panes look very nice but are horrible to clean.
ReplyDeleteThe oak tree in the second picture should have pretty much shed its leaves by now.
DeleteI have lots of Fig trees in France (9 I think), but there is also one in my street here in Brighton. This year it has excelled, and the fruits have been superb. I think they have been the first UK grown Figs that I've ever eaten.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where the expression, "I don't care a fig" came from.
DeleteBeautiful images of an Autumn day in the country. The Autumn leaves have been magnificent this year haven't they ? ..... I think thats because we had that wet Spring and hot Summer. You saw quite a lot of life on your walk. XXXX
ReplyDeleteI walked along a woodland path for a mile or more and with every footstep I crunched leaves. Yes - they have been magnificent Jacqueline.
DeleteThat's a good sized pig, plenty of bacon from that one. The houses look lovely, old brickwork and nice windows and doors.
ReplyDeleteOf course we take our houses for granted River. It's good to see them through fresh eyes.
DeleteThat bungalow looks like the ideal place for a retired couple who enjoy gardening. Shame about the passing strangers who peer in and take photos.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great photo of the pig and cat.
"Reginald! Reginald! There's a chap at the hedge taking pictures!"
Delete"I'll get my slippers off and go out to give him what for Beryl!"
"Oh! He's gone now. Too late!"
How I would have enjoyed that walk! Yes, putting one foot in front of the other is one of the best things about being human.
ReplyDeleteWith your long legs and your youthfulness, I bet you walk faster than me.
DeleteThat cat could be our Domino. He's the exact image of your cat next to the sow.
ReplyDelete"Domino's Doppelganger and a Pig Called Brenda" by Yorkshire Pudding - a new children's story published by Sheep's Head Books in the Republic of Ireland.
DeleteI think I would live in the little round gatehouse, though how you get square furniture into round house, heaven knows. Looks a very good walk.
ReplyDeleteIf you lived there there would be no immediate community and you'd have a long walk to the pub for your usual Friday night gin session.
DeleteThat is one brave cat. I would not sit that close to a hog with my back turned.
ReplyDeleteThe wall the cat is sitting on separates two pig pens with half a dozen pigs in each pen. It was as if she was watching them like a pigherd (shepherd for pigs!). I didn't have enough time to wait for a better shot.
Delete"Extended significantly at the rear" hmm, I have met a few people like that. Such a pretty place for a long walk,
ReplyDeleteHa-ha! I guess you were thinking about buttocks!
DeleteWhat a perfect day for perfect scenery. We must all be of the same mind - I love the little gatehouse and the cat and the pig made me laugh! I could imagine walking with the dog through the leaves in the wood, a lovely way to spend an hour or two.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely day. In contrast today is grey and quite miserable Carol.
DeleteBeautiful pictures once again, Neil. What would you have done if those two Alsatians managed to escape their mesh fence? It might be difficult to outrun an Alsatian.
ReplyDeleteWhat would I have done? I would have died. I would fancy my chances with one Alsatian but not two!
DeleteGosh, I love the look of that bungalow. I want to see the inside. Same with the gatehouse. The cat and pig photo is terrific!
ReplyDeleteWe set our clocks back tonight - I think I read that it is the last time we will change the clocks. I think the "powers that be" have decided that we won't change the clocks in the future. It's crazy here, Neil.
Changing clocks causes confusion (CCCC) and what for? What benefits are there? Glad you like my pig and cat picture Ellen. Maybe I should have hung around there longer.
DeleteLooks like another wonderful walk. I love the pig and the cat!
ReplyDeleteI should have hung about there longer. The pig pens either side of the cat's wall each held 6 to 10 pigs. I think the cat was in charge of them.
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