I love walking
Two charming churches in North Nibley (LH) and Tormorton (RH), two villages to die for, with all the necessary - church, primary school, big house, shop, pub, lovely cottages and village houses - the ideal village. The latter had the M4 thundering by but it was still lovely and took me back 50 years to my childhood.

Yes, I did walk to Pennsylvania!
Has this dreary little place on a main road have anything to do with the American one? I'd love to know.
Has this dreary little place on a main road have anything to do with the American one? I'd love to know.
We visited this church when walking along the South Downs Way and staying the night at Alfriston.

I took this photo from an information board at Saddlescombe on Day 2 of walking along the South Downs Way. Sadly, we didn't have this weather!!
The motte and bailey in the foreground is to the east of Edburton Hill and to the west of Devil's Dyke.
We found it with some difficulty as not so clear on the ground in bad weather. It was an exciting moment to stand in the middle and think on the past though.
The motte and bailey in the foreground is to the east of Edburton Hill and to the west of Devil's Dyke.
We found it with some difficulty as not so clear on the ground in bad weather. It was an exciting moment to stand in the middle and think on the past though.

One of four black marble Tournai fonts in Hampshire, thought to have been given as a gift by the Bishop of Blois who was the Lord of the Manor to the church in East Meon.
The font depicts the story of Adam and Eve on two sides and Norman symbolism on the others. One of the other four is in Winchester Cathedral.
The East Meon Valley is just to the north of the South Downs Way.
The font depicts the story of Adam and Eve on two sides and Norman symbolism on the others. One of the other four is in Winchester Cathedral.
The East Meon Valley is just to the north of the South Downs Way.

Famous Chetham's Library founded in 1653, still collecting and still open to readers free of charge.

A fine ole fellow enjoying the view. On my way up to Marsden Moor and looking west to the valleys below.

On my way over the top from the west side of the Pennines to the east. Cloud luckily stayed high and I was able to find my way. No-one up there except me and the curlews!
Colne Valley walking down to Huddersfield. The unconverted and the converted. Sadly more of the former than the latter.

Watching Kites flying high on the wind in the Lincolnshire Wolds

The famous Lincolnshire Red cattle. Could only find them on the Christmas Menu and the Angel and Royal Hotel in Grantham.
Did manage to eat a lincolnshire red beef burger on a later visit.

Usher Gallery, Lincoln
An anglo-saxon pendant, gold with garnet inlay, in the shape of an insect, with stylised fish scale inlay which is very rare. Made in 5th century AD and converted to a pendant in 7th Century (how do they know?!!!)
Found at Horncastle.
An anglo-saxon pendant, gold with garnet inlay, in the shape of an insect, with stylised fish scale inlay which is very rare. Made in 5th century AD and converted to a pendant in 7th Century (how do they know?!!!)
Found at Horncastle.

Lincoln Cathedral - another Tournai font in blue-black limestone. So special.

Walking west along the Grantham Canal to Nottingham
The Crown and Plough at Long Clawson - not a lot of choice for a bed but this excellent pub is about half way and a couple of miles south of the canal. Very comfortable and a good menu too.
Walking from Manchester to Kidsgrove by the Rochdale Canal, Calder and Hebble Navigation, Huddersfield Broad and Narrow Canals, Macclesfield Canal and the Peak Forest Canal
How often have I walked passed derelict mills. It's a waste and a tragedy; Snake bridge on the Macclesfield, allowing the horse to pass over without unhitching from the boat
Offa's Dyke Path dividing Wales and England from south to north
Walking round Chepstow Castle The Worcester Tomb in St Mary's church, Chepstow
Contrails accompanied us most of the way! Wild ponies out on the moorland