The frozen snow still lingers here in places, but the roads are clear and on Tuesday I was glad to get out and go for a walk around part of Damflask Reservoir. It's a five minute drive out along the Loxley Valley and my husband dropped me off on his way to the home improvement store in town saying he would be back in an hour. The actual walk around the reservoir takes at least two hours and that's without taking a break to sit down or, in my case, stopping to take photos. Starting at Damflask Farm I walked along the path near the sailing club buildings.
Below is the map on a board by the reservoir which also shows some old photos of local industries, people and places of interest before it was constructed which I'll write about another time.
Ughill Height can be seen across the reservoir. Beyond is moorland.
Oaks Farm on the hill.
A place to sit.
I turned back to meet Mr. P. It's easy to get engrossed in the scenery and photography, walk too far and then think of him waiting in the car. Thankfully there are plenty of walkers about, but I wouldn't want to go too near the deep water as there have been tragic incidents. The reservoir has partly frozen over during very harsh Winter conditions in the past.
The sailing clubs that use the reservoir have a good club house. A couple of walkers were sitting in the sunshine with their flask of hot drink as I passed by earlier.
Mr. P. arrived just as I got back to the spot we had arranged to meet.
On the opposite side of the reservoir to where I walked there's always less sun because of the pine trees and thickly wooded hills.
Most of the snow that had settled in the open fields in the Loxley Valley had melted so the farmers can get on with their work unless we have more bad weather. Later on there will be the glow of yellow daffodils on the banks in the lane by those distant buildings. One of our local garden/nursery centres is opposite that group of houses.