Sunday 15 November 2020

Out Of The Fog

We had a period of nearly a week where we were immersed in fog and mist and it didn't clear at all throughout the day, and then on Thursday it suddenly lifted and we had the most beautiful day. I think we appreciate the sunshine more when it's been missing for a while.

Mick has been working from home now since before the first lockdown in March, I don't think he'll ever go back to working how he did before. There will be times when he needs to go to a particular site but I think many businesses will now realise that some employees are able to work just as efficiently from home, and in some cases, they get more work done during the day as they're not using up working hours travelling. He can get under my feet at times but in the main we get along well even though we're with each other twenty four seven. It's quite convenient when the sun's shining as we're able to take advantage and pop out for an hour as he can make up the time later, so with some better weather materialising on Thursday we headed off to Roundhay Park.

It seemed many people had the same idea as it was very busy but the park is so big that you don't really realise that so many other people are out for a stroll too. The cricket pavilion was serving sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks but we were good and resisted, lunch was waiting for us back home. This arena, where cricket is played during the summer months, has staged many large concerts. It can hold over 100,000 people. It's where I saw Michael Jackson perform back in 1988 and where the latest Ed Sheeran concert Eleanor's attended was held, last year.

We headed down to Waterloo Lake, so called as it was landscaped from a former quarry by soldiers returning from the Napoleonic wars and thus named after the Battle of Waterloo. It covers thirty three acres. It's a favourite place in the park for children as there's lots of water birds who are only too happy to be fed.

It wasn't too cold on Thursday but even though the sun was shining, it's quite obvious now that we're heading into winter as many of the trees are now devoid of leaves and those which are still hanging on have lost the bright colour which is so evident a little earlier in autumn.

Looking through the trees you can catch a glimpse of The Mansion, a large stone two and three-storey house in Greek Revival style which was built from 1811 to 1826. It is now used as a wedding venue and it's where we held our own celebrations thirty years ago. My sister also held her wedding reception there the following year. The park was such a lovely backdrop for our wedding photos.

I thought we'd managed to deter Archie from rolling in the fallen leaves but just as we were on our way back to the car park he took us unawares. I don't really mind, he's such a happy little doggy squirming amongst the leaves. He was covered in mud but luckily his coat is short at the moment as he's recently been to see the groomer and the dirt just brushed out otherwise he'd have had to be dunked in the bath.

I really enjoy my midday walks, it's good to make the most of any fine weather we have at the moment, and as well as breaking the day up a little I always feel better after getting a bit of fresh air.

19 comments:

  1. Ahhh, Archie. How do I love seeing him! We need to make the most of what dry weather we have at this time of year. It's pouring rain with us here at the moment. *sigh*

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  2. Nothing like some fresh air.I am trying to get out for a walk each day and feel so much better if I do.Today it is sunshine and showers so won’t bother.

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  3. It's great to just dash out and enjoy the sun when it shows itself, Archie must love it too. With lots of people working from home, a lot of money must be being saved from not having to buy petrol or train tickets and of course, it's helping the planet too.

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  4. Yes I think a good many people realise that working from home is better than a long commute to work although I would think that some would miss the camaraderie of the workplace. That looks like a fabulous walk Jo I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to resist getting a hot drink at least. Archie looks as if he's really enjoying his roll in the leaves haha.

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  5. I am happy working from home is working for both of you, I imagine it can be a bit tough if you can't get any alone time. I am in desperate need of some actually. Your walk looks so beautiful, such a wonderful place to visit with so many memories. Stay safe.

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  6. Archie looks like he enjoyed your trip out too, rolling in those leaves. Its is very beautiful place and your photos are great. I suspect lots of people will continue to work from home for a long long time.

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  7. Good for you for getting out. There are days I really do not want to ..in winter. Your venue looks so lovely!

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  8. Your walk was certainly worthwhile on a lovely day & glad you could get out, as we know how hard lockdown is in winter. Glad you are both coping with the 'working from home' bit & it is a small taste of retirement one day when you are both at home 24/7. It's good to see Archie still being playful, but then I still love kicking the autumn leaves just like when I was a child.(giggle) Have a good week, take care, stay safe & huggles.

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  9. What a lovely place to walk, especially with those happy memories. Doggie enjoyed it too!

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  10. You do have some wonderful places to walk on your doorstep. This is one of the few places that I have actually heard of! It must be a wonderful venue for a concert.

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  11. That was a lovely trip out for you. You made me laugh about Archie rolling in the leaves, hopefully not in something unmentionable. I've always loved scrunching autumn leaves underfoot, Archie had much the same idea but went one better :)

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  12. Lovely photograph of Archie with not a care in the world. Most of the trees here have lost there leaves. X

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  13. It's just nice to get out and about, isn't it?

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  14. You seem to have replicated our Thursday afternoon, even down to rolling dogs. I think a few habits will have changed post Covid, hopefully rush hours will ease. Martyn and I are 24/7 too being retired. Fortunately it works fir us.

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  15. I don't like grey days, especially when there's more than one or two like you had. Glad to see that you made the most of a good day as you, and Archie, did. xx

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  16. Oh, I do like fog but a week of it would drive me crackers. It's the same with hubs, I doubt he'll ever go back to office based working which suits him, I do feel for younger people who miss the social side. Waterloo lake is lovely, I did enjoy seeing all those water birds. Ahhh, loved seeing Archie having a good old roll.xxx

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  17. I enjoyed my walk with you too :)
    Lovely photographs.

    All the best Jan

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  18. Hi Jo- One of the things I missed most when we moved off Lake Michigan was the sound of the fog horns. It was such a mournful sound but I loved it. We will have a lot of grey days between now and next Spring. I wish I liked winter better---sigh. lol
    Have a great week- xo Diana

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  19. It sounds like a much better way of working for Mick. I think a lot of companies will rethink how they work.
    It’s a lovely park, and how nice to be able to revisit your wedding venue.
    Getting out in the fresh air is always a tonic, and it’s all the better if the sun shines.
    xx

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