Going Off-Piste

 We thought we'd try a different local walk this time, and save petrol.

Leaving the house we turned into a farmers property, with the OS map guiding us, we walked into a mud bath. Sheep in various sheds, rotting timber, tyres and other detritus from 100 years of farming lay either side of us; crossing a marked route field, and thinking this would give us a round trip, which is our preferred way. Gates were held together with string as we tried to undo them or climb over.  Following the ancient yellow arrows which told us where the next gate was, we stumbled on. We found ourselves in a gully and found the yellow arrow guide that told us that, yes, were going the right way. I have to say that I had my doubts.











 Surely THIS cannot be the way? However, it was! I was only thankful it hadn't rained or the gully would have turned into a mud bath, or stream. Clambering over slippery stiles, that, like us, had seen better days, some broken and some too high for me to climb onto, I got stuck.  Chris climbed over and tried to help me, but try as I might I 'couldn't get my leg over'. I thought I'd get the wise-cracks in first! Chris had to lift my leg - remember I am carrying a rucksack and wearing muddy boots, and it hurt! My Osteoarthritis decided to give me Hell!  However we managed and leaving the trail, or trial if you prefer, we found ourselves ... at someone's garden! With nowhere else to go, we climbed the fence and legged it, noting as we did, the formal garden and profusion of children's toys. I even had time to think  'hmmm, nice curtains.' 

  Setting out in horrible weather and wanting to test our wet-weather gear, we were suitably togged up. I was also carrying my rucksack, as, after Llandudno I thought I needed to practice carrying it, as  it weighs the same as a small child! 

The sun came out and we boiled. Luckily, carrying water (heavy) and a 1st aid kit (also heavy), I gave in and handed the dead weight to Chris, who, in case you think is mean, had offered before now, and on several occasions before.

He then had a great idea, and that was to walk through two of Max's fields as a short cut. Max is our landlord, so no problems there. Oh yes there was! Max's fields these were not, and walking all the way around,  looking for a connecting gate, we ended up exiting the same gate we had entered. Believe me, it was a Big Field. The fields, for there were two, had been cut, and stubble is the hardest possible thing to walk over! Back onto the road up to our house, which looks a short road,  but isn't, we almost fell into our porch, peeling clothes off where we stood., and diving straight into the shower. Will we go Off Piste again? Guess the answer's no then!

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