A wet, windy and blustery start to the New Year! We'd planned a long walk on the downs but as we got to the car park we found that our intended route was underwater! A quick look at the map produced a shorter route, better suited to the weather, and we clambered out of the car into the wind and rain and set off.
It was only a short walk in the end. About three miles and under an hour along country lanes and an old railway, thankfully sheltered in a cutting for a lot of the way. After stopping under a bridge at the old abandoned station for a warm drink (hot mulled juice), we made our way back out into the weather, and the return leg along a hillside, with the full force of the wind and rain in our faces. Bracing.
We weren't out for long, but it was a good test for kit. I am always happily surprised by the ability of my Paramo Cascada trousers to keep the wet and cold out in conditions like that, but they did their magic again and as we walked into the pub they already felt dry to the touch.
And of course Gourdon did his dry thing too.
As always.
Like the reliable old friend he is.
Not an epic or adventurous day out, especially when I had been getting texts from Friends in the Lakes who had been doing proper walking and camping in the wild rain and wind for the last few days. But a good start to the year, and a nice dose of January outsideness.
No comments:
Post a Comment