A January Outing

On a cold sunny day in early January, after the snow had disappeared we decided a trip out would blow away the cobwebs. All wrapped up against the cold we set off. Rutland Water was the finally the decided destination after setting out with no clear idea of where we were heading to.

This natural looking lake is actually a reservoir. This was needed to provide water for the highly populated area of the East Midlands. Several sites were considered by Anglian Water but the twin valleys of the River Gwash was the site chosen. The site was controversial as the land was fertile farming land that had been farmed for centuries. The clay subsoil was thought to be ideal to construct the reservoir. So, in 1971 construction began. In 1975 they began pumping the water, drowning several farms and the village of Nether Hambleton. In 1976 the reservoir formerly known as Empringham reservoir was officially opened with a new name of Rutland Water. It took until 1979 to fill, covers 3100 acres and has 25 miles of shoreline.

Today the site is a destination for water sports, fishermen, bird watchers , cyclist and walkers. There are several hotels along the shoreline amongst the many other attractions.

The Normanton Church was the one building saved from the flooded valley It was a medieval Church of St. Matthews, rebuilt in the 18th century It was saved by raising the floor by 3 metres and water proofing the foundations. Today its a museum housing the many archaeological finds from the valley during construction

After a less than brisk (I don't do brisk any more!) but stimulating walk we had a refreshing cup of tea at the Crazy Fox Cafe before departing to another area of the shore line
There we watched a lovely sunset over the water before heading for home.

I feel the urge to write.

I can't believe my last posting to this blog was back in December. I suppose because January and thus far in to February has been so awful. Hopefully as winter progresses into the spring of 2011 our lives will start to improve. I still find our lifestyle somewhat unsettling. With 'Himself' now retired and both of us at home I'm finding the lack of routine some what disquieting. January was so cold with ice and snow for several mornings I couldn't find the energy to get out early to deice the car ready to go for my morning swim. Then we had colds that terminated in prolonged irritating coughs. A flood in the bathroom and two family deaths plus other ongoing family dramas all added stress to the cold gloomy winter weather.

Now, though there are signs all over that spring is slowly emerging from the depth of the coldest winter for decades. Yellow catkins dangle from the road side shrubbery. Green shoots are beginning to show on the hawthorn bushes, The garden is covered with white once more , only this time it is from the dainty dangling bells of thousands of snowdrops. Little patches of colour from the blue, purple or sunny yellow crocuses are interspersed through the carpet of white. Daffodils are shooting up through the snow compacted earth. Their buds growing larger by the day, soon to be cheering us up with their nodding bright yellow trumpets.