79.squall-longleg.16.16

After that hard freeze came the first snow of Bleak. I got out with Shad, of course, a bit of snow is no barrier to Shad and I getting out in The Dark Peak or to the pub. We started out down the Loxley, avoiding hills and staying in the valley, which seemed sensible, but I couldn't help myself and ascended the bank by a few hundred paces. Of course, to my chagrin, I still managed to slip on dead leaves and dirty ground on my way back, smothering by leg in muck and filth. No broken bones, just a jolt and an embarrassing look about, just in case anyone saw me. I don't think anyone did, there wasn't anyone around that I could see.

That proved to be the end of it for me though and after that I couldn't wait to get back the The Middlewood road for a tasty pint of three of porter, to warm my chilled bones. No sign of Van these days, not sure what he is up to -- but we need to meet up soon, since I have almost finished my research and write-up of Sophie Hinchcliffe and we need to start work on the second book of his Chronicles.