A walk on the wild side, well a little bit anyway.

The days this week have been lovely with blue sunny skies and cold nights.  It's no great surprise being April after all, no one is expecting bikini weather.

We went off walking.  We had moored between Sandon and Weston if you know the area.

We were just setting off when a couple walked by in walking kit and walking sticks, this was a boon as we got local knowledge and with recommendations.  

Over the railway bridge, but then we did need to cross the dreaded A51 but right there was at least a wide verge so it wasn't dashing across four lanes.

The path through the fields took us to the village of Gayton, but not the Gayton of canal fame but another, this one literally off the beaten track with pretty cottages that I could easily see into the gardens of.  

Pretties that are in bloom in April, I've no idea what but pretty.

This is the view from the top of the railway bridge which we cannot understand how they ever got planning permission on the skyline to build that barn.  WaL is at the foot of the hill.

So following the map..... we ended up here!  Had it of been dryer I might have been tempted to brave it but we had to find another way.  But not so may fords about these days.

Now this is a sight of Spring, wild Primroses.

Wild Primroses on a country lane

So we were lucky to pick up the footpath signs again, they tend to be hidden quite well, up a slope towards the woods over a couple of stiles and this bridge, I thought there must be a replacement nearby but no..... 

We are going to retrace our steps in the next three weeks or so as this greenery is uninterrupted bluebells.

So out of the bluebell wood and on the hill gets you this view of Rugeley.

From the hill top it was pretty much down hill all the way to Sandon and The Dog and Dublet.  The garden was busy with newly released general public from Lockdown ready willing and able to meet friends, sitting down, no kissing to enjoy dwinks and they were looking pretty thrilled to be there too.

We walked back to WaL down the canal and a dreary stretch of canal it was very close to the trainline and in turn the A51.  But altogether it was a gorgeous walk.

Lastly I loved the sun shining on the buds of this tree, use your imaginations a bit to see the golden shoots. 

 

Supper was poached eggs, avocadoes, tomatoes on toast, there may have been a gin and tonic in the sunny cratch too.