Graafschapspad part 1

First part of the Graafschapspad
Zutphen – Almen

Today my daughter Aisha and I walked the first section from Zutphen to Almen.
First we had to free our car from the ice before we could drive to the starting point in Zutphen.
The weather was cloudy, but the sun tried to break through a couple of times. It was a nice wintery day around 0° C, though the wind was really chilly. I was glad I brought my windbreaker.
At the beginning of the walk we passed the impressive castle ‘Huis de Voorst’. For the history of this monument please visit:
http://www.huisdevoorst.nl/uk.html

We passed fields which were full of life: Greyleg Geese who come here to escape the rough winters in Northern & Eastern Europe and Northern Lapwings. It was a peaceful walk, but we had to be careful, because there were long patches of ice along the way. We saw quite a few horseman and some mountain bikers.
The path came along some unimpressive farms, but had nice views of farmland and forests.
We finished at the ‘Hoofdige Boer’ a small country hotel in Almen where we indulged ourselves with an Eastern European walnut-honey cream cake and a cappuccino. There we met fellow walkers who told us that they had done the Graafschapspad before and loved it.
After our deserved break we took the bus back to Zutphen. I’m already looking forward to the next part of this path.

'Graafschapspad'

In two weeks I will start the Graafschapspad, a long distance path in the East of the Netherlands. Length 116,5 km/ 72.5 miles.
Unfortunately I am not off work, so I will continue the walk where I stopped the week before.
I think it is a great way to finish the winter period and get fit for spring. Every week I will place the day's logbook and some pictures. (10 feb '10)

Winter in the Yorkshire Dales

We packed everything we needed for a serious walking holiday. But 'walking' didn't really took off. Like so many others we were confronted with heavy snow, icy roads and wonderful views.
We arrived the weekend before Christmas and didn't manage to drive up to Grinton Lodge (YH), where we planned to stay for the weekend. The road was one icy patch and we had to carry up our belongings. Needless to say that there were others with the same problems. But what a happy company we were, up there in the lodge:

- roaring fires in a grimly cold, but charming building,

- super friendly staff,
- good meals and wines,

- fellow walkers to laugh and chat with - sharing port, beer, tea and hot chocolate

- duvets brought downstairs to make ourselves comfortable

- serious sleighing.

And a great circular walk to Reeth and back. Though in summer this is an easy stroll, now it was quite an adventure. We had a break at the 'Kings Arms' where they served some delicious spicy home cooked soup.

For the coming Christmas week we had booked a cottage in Askrigg. Not our first time there and definitely not our last. All the walks we usually enjoy around Askrigg, Aysgarth, Muker, Thwaite, Keld(Kisdon Fell) and Gunnerside ...we now only could dream of. But the hospitality was great and the advantage is that you have more time to make new friends.

Disaster struck during the last hour before we left. Butch, my husband, broke his leg twice when he slipped on the ice whilst putting our luggage into the car. He was rushed to the Friarage Hospital in Norhtallerton where he had surgery.

Nevertheless it was one of the best holidays ever, because the breathtaking snowy scenery was extraordinary.