On A Wild And Windy November Day.....

**This is the post that should've gone up yesterday.**

Inspired by Absolute Vanilla (and when I say inspired - you know I mean I'm ripping off her fabulous idea), I've decided to take you on a walk with me (and The Pooch) through the wild, wild November weather, around my neighbourhood. The aim of this is just to show you what I see every day. It's not an historical tour. It's more of a peek into my world.

I live in a village so tiny it doesn't even qualify for the term 'village" - it's called a Hamlet. This is because it doesn't have it's own church. Too small. The local Church of England church (which dates back to the early 13th Century) is about 2 miles down the road. It's wonderful and rural and quiet and quintessentially English. I love living here.

Aside from the fact that I am severely photographically challenged I have to warn you that it was pouring with rain and I couldn't see through my specs most of the time. The quality of the following is therefore pretty poor. Looking at them I have to say I'm disappointed by how static they are. I want a Harry Potter Wizarding camera because these just don't convey how blustery it was. The wind was howling like a banshee and if it hadn't been chucking it down I'd have been soaked by the water that was being shaken out of the trees.

To begin then....

So this is my little cul-de-sac. Pooch takes off ahead, as usual. She's very excited!Turning left at the end of my road and we're on School Lane. These Cottages were originally built by the council as cheap housing for locals. Along the grass verge were planted an avenue of maple trees which I guess is why they call the Mapleleaf Cottages. Just along this road is where Small Son goes to school. It's literally a minute's walk from the house.Poochie is still barrelling ahead as we pass this beautiful beech hedge.
In case you wondered why I was leaving the dog run off the lead, it's because she's well trained. When she comes to the point where we have to cross the street she sits down and waits for me. That and I shout "WAIT". Good Pooch.
Lead on and we head to the end of the road.
At the intersection is where we find the village pub and pond. Mr and Mrs Duckie don't seem to mind that it's pouring down!
Whizzing across the road here's the gate into the quagmire of fun. Once through here Poochie is off the lead and free to chase rabbits and shoo the pheasants into the air.
WAIT FOR ME!She has to wait for me actually because I have to open (and close - I know the countryside code) the gate into the next field. This is where I sit and watch the clouds go by. Today, though, I appear to be walking through a cloud so I press onward trying not to think about how wet I'm getting.Pooch regularly disappears into the hedgerow to chase rabbits. It's really funny when they don't run fast enough because she stops to give them a chance to get away. Here she is popping back through the hedge after a jolly good chase. As usual - completely rabbitless.

Into the woods and the first thing that's noticeable is that the tiny little bubbling brook has flooded and running rather more rapidly than usual.
Still there's lots of prettiness to be seen.
Don't be fooled by this little slope - one false step and you're on your arse slip-slidin' away!
I do a full circuit around the wood back past the bench again and out to the road by the pub.
Facing the other way we're on the homeward stretch.
Past the converted stables with the funny little chimney thing on the roof.
How old is this sign? The red edging is almost faded away. It's rather battered too. And if truth be told, although beautifully legible from the pathway, I doubt very much any passing cars ever notice it!
And here we are - back again. I hope that you had fun coming on my little venture into masochism. I advise getting straight into jammies and warm socks and having a big mug of soup.
From Poochie and me. Ta-rah!

Of course, because the fates' sense of humour is notoriously perverse, the sun is shining in all its glory today. So I'm off out now to do it all again in what are hopefully friendlier conditions!