Since the New Year of 2021, I’ve been reminiscing almost fondly about the first lockdown in March and April of 2020. It was an unseasonably warm and sunny Spring, the days were lengthening, all that time with nothing much to do but walk the lanes round the Tor, listening to the birdsong, enjoying the blue skies and the tameness of the wildlife. In contrast, ‘Lockdown 3’, in wet and cold January, does not make for such pleasant outdoor exercise experiences.
It was getting hard to coax myself outdoors at all, while there were still bags of crisps, boxes of chocolates and half a bottle of Baileys leftover from Christmas. However, it was getting to the point that if I spent anymore time in my leopard print pyjamas they were eventually going to have to be removed with scissors and a scraper. Also, my photographer friends keep getting up at stupid o’clock to produce fantastic pictures of sunrise from the Tor and I’m really competitive, so I figured I had to get out there and take some pictures. I headed out up Dod Lane for a short walk on a cold and foggy day.
You may recognize these trees, there on the top of Bushy Combe / Chalice Hill, in the field where the May Pole is erected on the first of May. It all looks a bit different at that time of year.
Here’s the tree that the kids all like to play on while their parents are dancing round the May Pole:
Straight on to the Tor, or right to the White Spring? I decided to head for the Tor.
The mistletoe caught my eye in the old apple trees, then a Corvid obligingly sat atop it to complete the scene. I then spent 10 minutes standing still freezing my arse and fingers off waiting to get a shot of it flying off again, but when it did I missed it.
Leaning over the gate here you get a wonderful view of the Tor. Normally.
My friend Harry appeared so I roped him into appearing in some pictures. I thought this one looked rather evocative and romantic, Harry complained he looked like a girl.
Here’s a scene I’ve captured hundreds of times. It’s of the Tor, lucky Harry was there. or it would be very dull indeed.
I thought about going up the Tor, apparently the view above the fog from the summit was amazing, but last time I went up there I slipped going down and bruised my bum, didn’t fancy repeating the experience so I turned back. Besides, it was rather frosty and getting cold, as I think these pictures illustrate!
Frost has an ability to render even the most mundane things beautiful. Even spikes and barbed wire.
I love how the eye is drawn to the person going through the gate in this shot.
Back onto Bushy Combe I spied blue sky, I was a little disappointed as I’d been hoping for snow.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these, they were all taken on my Huawei Mate P20 Pro. I’m still stunned you can get such great shots on a phone! They are all copyright Vicki Steward.
In case we don’t get any snow this year please take a look at these photos I took of the Town back in 2018.
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Aww Vicki these are lovely. He def looks like a girl. xoxox
Great photos and I admire your prose which is like a chat. But with great observation and British subtlety of phrase that it is a joy!
Beautiful photos! A magical start to my day – thank you.
Glorious; well done there. I’ve been accused of having vampire blood, such is my own love of cold wintry days and long deep nights. Keep ’em coming!