Everywhere is quite muddy at the moment but even Archie managed to keep himself clean on this walk thanks to the paths which have been constructed through the woods.
I was really surprised by the number of dog walkers out and about here, though it was a dry day so I suppose everyone had the same idea as us. It's good to make the most of any fine weather during the winter months and get out when you can.
I treated myself to a new phone before Christmas, one which has a better camera than my previous phone, and as I hadn't taken any photos with it before I thought I'd leave my camera at home and use the one on the phone. Most of the photos I took came out blurry so I think I need a bit of practice with it, either that or the settings are all wrong. It was rather dark though so perhaps that's something to do with it. I intended to have another go with it on our walk at Temple Newsam on Sunday but it was so cold that I couldn't muster up the enthusiasm and my phone stayed in my bag. Never mind, I'll give it another go soon.
It was good to get out and I shall definitely visit Middleton Park more often. I don't live close by but we're only a drive away and it's a lovely park with all sorts of things going on and a great place to walk dogs too.
We are fast running out of places to take the dog which aren't ankle deep in mud, it's a bit of a nightmare. We are surrounded by fields but can't take her in any of them at the mo, as they're all so waterlogged and thick with mud.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same here, we usually take Archie for walks in the nearby woods or the surrounding fields but it's far too muddy at this time of year so we end up travelling by car to places which are less muddy. It's a nightmare when Archie gets dirty as he's long haired so it all ends up matting in his fur.
DeleteThe paths make it a perfect place to walk this time of year.
ReplyDeleteIt's ideal. The woods were very muddy and there's streams which run through them so you can imagine how dirty we'd all get if there weren't any paths.
DeleteThere are some lovely dog walks in my area and we make the most of every dry day. I pass a couple of parks on my way to the shops, no matter which way I go, and Ben loves to stop off on the way there (and back).
ReplyDeleteIt's great when there are good local dog walks. We have lots of places nearby where Archie loves to go but the trouble with them is that it's so muddy at this time of year. Luckily, there are more suitable places within a short drive so it isn't too bad.
DeleteMaybe your phone is extremely accurate for the photos capture what most days seem to be like at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThe photos here are the best of the bunch, the others were too blurred to use. The phone is in a case which makes it a little tricky to hold the phone steady when taking photos so I think the problem may be that I'm moving the phone. I'm going to take it out of the case and see if that makes a difference.
DeleteSo lovely to get out for a walk!
ReplyDeleteIt is. Obviously, having a dog we have to go out walking rain or shine but it makes it all the more pleasant when it's dry.
DeleteA lovely place for a walk and it looks like a typical January day to me. As long as it's reasonably dry and not blowing a hooley then it's good to get out.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping to treat myself to a new phone soon and one with a better camera would be fab. X
We were lucky with the weather, it was very grey and miserable but at least it was dry and not as cold as it has been. Middleton Park has a lot of history and it's great to see that it's well kept and so well used. I'm hoping to get to grips with the camera on my phone as it's more convenient for carrying about with me day to day.
DeleteA dull day can make it difficult to take a good phone picture. The ones you've got here are good though.
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought of the mud issue for walking dogs, having never had one. Something I'll have to think about when we get a dog, although sometimes just getting to the car can be quite muddy! With a farmer husband and a dog I'm destined to have a home covered in mud!
I think these photos are good enough for what I want, it's the blurry ones which were more of an issue. I need some practice. We had our kitchen replaced before we got Archie and we chose white! I'd have chosen something more sensible had I known that a dog was in our future.
DeleteGood point! I'll remember that when it comes to finally getting the kitchen sorted :)
DeleteBlack floor tiles weren't the best choice either, I'm forever mopping the mud up.
DeleteApparently, according to Douglas, some phones are susceptible to not working well if it's cold - or hot for that matter so maybe you can blame the cold for your fuzzy photos. The photos you have shown look great. It's so nice to see Archie out enjoying a walk again. :o)
ReplyDeleteNow you mention it, I've heard that somewhere too. I need to keep practicing, and perhaps take the phone out of it's case, it doesn't make it easy to hold when taking a photo. Archie has really enjoyed his walks this weekend, it's good to see him so well again after the fright we had.
DeleteI love walking in woodland and I love trees but I don't know why it is that we don't get out more. Tom can't walk a long way now but its still refreshing just to take a short walk. I love the ready made paths on your walk.
ReplyDeleteBriony
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I think getting outside, even if you just sit on a bench, lifts the spirits. My parents, especially my mum, are very immobile now, but they enjoy just sitting and watching the world go by. The paths at Middleton Park are brilliant, especially at this time of year, and for families with pushchairs or with young children on bikes. They make the place so much more accessible for all.
DeleteLove that first picture of Archie waiting for you to catch up with him, Jo. I replied to your comment on my post about how long we have been following each other's blogs. P. x
ReplyDeleteArchie won't wander far without us being by his side. He often stops for a sniff at something and then before we know it, he's caught us up again and his little head appears between the two of us. I shall pop over to your blog and read your reply.
DeleteWe are blessed we have lots of beaches in striking distance, the sand is quite easy to brush off.
ReplyDeleteIt would be lovely to live close enough to the coast to be able to walk Archie on the beach, he absolutely loves it by the sea. Unfortunately, we don't get there half as often as Archie would like.
DeleteIt looks lovely. I am always on the look out for nice places to walk which have disabled access for work as I support wheelchair users. Not too far from us in York either. I think my dog would love it too :)
ReplyDeleteIt's such a wonderful place for those in wheelchairs as the paths are so flat. I should imagine that there aren't too many places which afford such accessibility, especially through ancient woodland such as this. It's a dog's paradise too, Archie loves it here.
DeleteNice post and pictures. It's good to get out for a walk at this time of year even if it's dull. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was a good day for a walk, even though it was rather dreary. So long as it's dry, that's the main thing. It's good to have somewhere a bit different to walk too, it was an enjoyable couple of hours.
DeleteIt looks like a nice walk, Jo. Sometimes you just have to get out and walk. It always feels so good when you do, it's great to stretch your legs and get fresh air in your lungs.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I often feel as if I can't be bothered in the winter months but I'm always pleased when I've made the effort. It's surprising just how much a walk in the fresh air can lift the spirits.
DeleteGood to get out and blow the cobwebs away. Lovely to see Archie enjoying his walk xcx
ReplyDeleteArchie had a great time, he's recovered from his illness really well and he's back on par. It was a good day out all round.
DeleteWe try to go for walks as often as possible in the winter - it definitely lifts the spirits!
ReplyDeleteI often feel like hunkering down and not going anywhere when the days are short and dark but I always feel better once I've got out there.
DeleteThat looks lovely & just to give you a push, I'd love to see pics of it in all seasons. Yeah! I'll try and see where it is in my Leeds directory. We are going for a walk after brekky & hope, not to get caught in a shower of rain today, after being soaked to the skin last Saturday, though I didn't stop laughing most of the way home, as we must have been a sorry sight. Stay warm & take care.
ReplyDeleteThe post I linked to was September and the woodland looked so different then. I shall be taking Archie out for a walk soon, I'm just hoping that it stays dry as the last thing I want is to be caught in a downpour.
DeleteLovely photos Jo and a beautiful place. I'm champing at the bit to get out walking again. Perhaps the weather will be good enough tomorrow and I can start now I feel better.
ReplyDeleteIt's a horrible feeling when you've been unwell and cooped up indoors for any period of time. It's easy to rush back into doing things too soon though so take care and take things easy for a while.
DeleteI'm just thinking how strange it is that living by the coast (which I love) I often wish for forest walks. Glad you all enjoyed a nice 'clean' walk, Cx
ReplyDeleteIt would be good to have coast and forest within easy reach. We have lots of woodland and countryside around us but we're nowhere near the coast, yet Archie loves walking on the beach, it's a shame we don't get to the coast more often.
DeleteLooks like a lovely, peaceful place for a stroll. I don't mind gray weather too much so long as the temperature is nice and wind is down. Around here, it will be a while before we go for a stroll without winter gear on!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful park with so much woodland to explore. I must admit that the grey days get me down, I'm longing for spring, winter has already been too long for me.
DeleteIf it makes you feel any better we have mud here in S.W. France at the moment and, as we are on steep land, that is very unusual indeed. I regularly had to hose my dogs down when we were still in the U.K. and we lived next to a dairy farm so I have had my share of mud. I have never got the hang of my phone camera - and when it's sunny and you can't see the screen, how do people do that?
ReplyDeleteI think you've definitely had your share of mud living next to a dairy farm. I don't know what it is with dogs, or maybe it's just Archie, he could find a muddy puddle in a desert. I never really used the camera on my old phone so I'm only just trying to get to grips with phone cameras.
DeleteI've had a golden retriever in the past and they are champion puddle and mud wallowers. The garden hose was in constant use!
DeleteHa ha, I can imagine. They have thick coats too so all that mud will stick.
DeleteSometimes you just have to go out for some fresh air even if the weather isn't perfect and usually its better than you thought.
ReplyDeleteI often find that I feel better once I've been outdoors, even if I didn't fancy it. Fresh air certainly lifts the spirits.
DeleteWasn’t it a grim day, well grim week round here actually. Still good to get out - I spent a few hours in the garden on Sunday and it felt so good.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely day compared to what we have at the moment, snow and high winds. I think it's good to get out whatever the weather, it just takes some convincing myself sometimes.
DeleteIt does look a nice place to walk even in the cold weather.
ReplyDeleteWe're so lucky here, we have many wonderful parks and woodland to visit, we're spoilt for choice really.
DeleteAwww,lovely to see Archie out and about.Looks a great walk,so pretty.It is blowing a gale here right now.Hugs and cuddles for Archie.
ReplyDeleteMiddleton Park is at its best in summer but it's still a lovely walk during the winter months. We must make more of an effort to visit more often as Archie seems to enjoy it as much as we do.
DeleteWell I loved seeing your pictures and agree, it is good to make the most of any fine weather you can during the winter months and get out ... so often we feel better for it too!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I always feel better for making an effort and getting outdoors, especially when it's fine. I'm not quite so keen on the wet, miserable days though.
DeleteIt looks like a beautiful place to walk in every season. Archie is adorable.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a lovely park with so much history, they've done a really good job in looking after it and making it a fabulous place for people to visit.
DeleteGood to see Archie out and about enjoying decent paths to walk along. It's great managing to get out isn't it? The weather is so grotty of late. I had to get used to my iPhone camera initially, but now I have I must say I'm surprised at the quality.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see Archie back to normal and enjoying his walks, it's good to have some dry weather to enable us to get out there. Mick, Daniel and Eleanor all have iPhones and they take great photos, I'm not expecting anything near that quality from my phone as it was nowhere near as expensive, but I'd like to be able to take some passable photos, that would do me. I think I just need some more practice with it.
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