It`s All Uphill From Now On

The new year has arrived, the shortest day has passed and its now all uphill to summer. I`m really looking forward to long light evenings and warm weather. This year I have had a lovely long Christmas & New Year break, finishing work on 21st December and will be back at my desk tomorrow 3rd January. On Christmas Eve we all travelled to North Wales to spend a few days close to the Welsh Hills. The only thing missing was the snow! Far too warm on Christmas Day but the temperatures tumbled on Boxing Day making it feel much more seasonal.

Rowan had a lovely time visiting his cousins Harry and Bentley Vernon, and walking on Caernarvon beach in the wind.

On Tuesday we travelled over to Stockport, not the most exciting city in the world I have to say, but it is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Driving over towards Romiley we took a long, leisurely walk on the Chadkirk Country Estate. This pretty country park is located on the River Goyt. The estate includes a 60 acre farm, orchards, woodland and a 16th Century Chapel. 

Another place well worth a visit if you are ever in this part of the world is Lyme Park near Disley. Once a historic hunting estate, this National Trust Property is now home to a herd of deer who roam freely on the 1400 acres of countryside and woodland. Needless to say Rowan likes deer so he had to stay firmly on his lead!

Back home in Northamptonshire it has been a busy few days leading up to New Year. New Year`s Eve was spent quietly with friends before going to our favourite restaurant, The Butchers Arms, for New Years day late lunch.

Today is my last day of leisure before returning to my desk at cruise.co.uk tomorrow, refreshed and ready for what will certainly be a busy and prosperous year in 2017.