Watch Out For Ghosts.

A cold grey day with rain later in the afternoon.

I'm always happy when I wake reasonably early and can get things done before breafast as was the case today. That included putting washing in the machine, Duo Lingo and washing the front windows after a fly-by seagull attack. That was followed by a leisurely breakfast listening to The Archers and then getting my things organised for the walk.

This afternoon's walk was through the nature reserve at Clettwr [kleh-tur] about 15 minutes drive away. No wide gravelled paths this time but narrow trails carpeted with bronze oak leaves hiding thick tree roots waiting to trip up the unwary.

The nature reserve is a very deep and steep wooded valley where we followed the path of the tumbling stream which once powered a water mill. In these days of rapidly rising energy costs it might be economical, and a lot greener to re-introduce water wheels or turbines to generate power for local use. (I suspect I may have said this before.)

The original plan had been to walk along the right-hand side of the stream but our way was blocked by a sign warning of ghosts so we went over the bridge and walked along on the left-hand side instead.

Lots of small waterfalls along the way and a few pools that looked as if you could take a dip in them if you didn't mind the cold.

Our path became steeper and narrower until we were squeezing between the young trees which were quite handy to hold onto to avoid falling down the steep slope by our side.

Eventually we came to point where we had to clamber over fallen trees and then the path was completly blocked so we back tracked until there was enough room for us to perch on the path to eat our lunch.

After our stop we followed the stream back for a while then turned up a steep track that took us high up the side of the valley,

and eventually out through a field. As it had begun to rain by this time we were grateful that it was only a quick walk down a narrow lane back to Clettwr.

I put my feet up once I got home though I don't think we walked very far, maybe 3 miles. However it was good to be out in the fresh air walking with friends. And no ghosts were seen on the walk. Maybe they only come out at night.