Like busses this is the 4th & I've caught-up!

Today I've been catching-up with walks covered during December.

Todays 4.5627 mile route is available at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6162053
It's the fourth I've posted today.
If you've read them, I hope you've enjoyed them.
Today we returned to Rufford, in part due to an article in the Lancashire Walks and Wildlife Magazine.
We didn't stick rigidly to the route as it would have been almost exactly the same as one we've done in the past. So with a few tweaks, we  set off from the carpark, over the River Douglas and along Meadow Lane.
To say the path was muddy, was an understatement.

 Again we've been luck with the weather, the sun shining but a cold wind. The Wind farm dominates the horizon...

 ...for most of the first third of the walk.

 With the low position of the sun at this time of year, visibility was often through squinting eyes or, because of the cold wind, through tears from weeping eyes.

Walking along side the stream...

...as we headed towards Black Moor Road, it was important to avoid low branches.

Horses, in their purple coats, turn their rears to the bitter wind as we headed down lanes eventually crossing a swing bridge. Skiens of geese often disturbed our walk, encouraging skyward glances.

Many of the meadows were flooded with sheep crossing streams/full ditches to reach the greener grass on the other side.

After an enjoyable sunny, albeit windy walk we returned to the car and headed off to the Olde Barn for lunch and to purchase local grown vegetables.