The winter festival of 2020/2021 is officially coming to a close tonight. We’ve packed away the decorations, though I’m not sure I want to let it go just yet. The increasing grip of lockdown has had little impact here, as we’re keeping to ourselves in advance of some hospital treatment (pandemic permitting). It’s felt a bit like being encased in our own little snow globe, albeit without much snow. For us the last couple of weeks were spent balancing comfort eating and walking to try and burn off the excessive calories. There were a lot of textures to enjoy out in the wilds, but in describing them I couldn’t seem to avoid culinary allusions. Here are a couple of examples:

December 21 - Helsby Hill
We took a walk up Helsby Hill for a bit of mid-winter perspective. From the plateau you make your way through woodlands peppered with silver birch and holly so it feels very festive. Especially if you veer off the track in search of a small dog and find yourself descending through the leaf litter. The texture and colour were very similar to the spongy yule log I made when we got home. Treacherously soft with the fruit from the bramble brandy rolled inside.

January 2 - Guilden Sutton
No resolutions this year but an intention to complete some of Cheshire's walking trails, starting with one that begins close to home in Piper's Ash - the Longster Trail. There was black ice on some of the paved sections, which resulted in a few comical noises from yours truly. My wellies don't have the best grip but I was glad of them as we crossed a former wheat field, shorn to stubble, on our way to the oxen bridge over the River Gowy. The path was pocked with frozen puddles; they made a satisfying crack when stepped on but immediately plunged you into slimy brown mud. We renamed it the crème brûlée field.