The last Christmas walk that the NCVs had was in December 2019, so they were looking forward to this year's, planned for this week. However, the emergence of the new covid omicron variant meant that the plans for a nice cosy indoor lunch had to be changed. Instead a special picnic feast was arranged to ensure that everyone could stay safe outdoors. The NCVs kept everything crossed for dry weather.
NCV Paul was leading the walk and had planned out a good route in the Nutwith Woods & Himalayan Gardens area, starting off at the duck pond in Grewelthorpe.
Lead on Paul - let's see where you all went....
Hang on - let's have a quick pic of anyone in a Christmas hat.
This little chap decided to accompany
us a long way out of the village.
Yes - he is still there.
Go home pussy cat - we are going too far for you.
A number of stiles had to be negotiated at various points along the way.
This one needed long legs - ably demonstrated by Osian.
The adjacent sapling was particularly well protected from deer.
Luckily this method was not being used last week
with the 450 trees we planted.
It was on the site of an old Roman camp.
Good views from the plateau.
No wonder they camped here.
We were VERY lucky with the weather!
Ahh. This is easier to negotiate - a gate!
Up onto the beech clad hillside.
Over some more stiles....
...and hence into the back of the Himalayan Gardens.
Here there were some interesting sculptures to be spotted.
This one was called - Logs of Dialogue.
No need to worry about this deer nibbling any new trees!
No - not a sculpture - just some tree ferns,
tucked up warm and cosy for the winter.
We had been given special permission
to take a coffee break in the Chinese Pagoda....
...overlooking the lake.
Ooo. What's Liz handing around in the tin?
Mmm. Shortbread - Nice!
Next it was through the woods and out of the gardens.
Hang on - what's this?
Amazing! Really old books set into a log!
Maybe it was the local lending library for whoever lives here?
Osian was wishing he'd brought his library card.
Out of the garden and here we go again...
Walking in style.
You tak the high road and we'll tak the low road and we'll be in Grewelthorpe afore ye. 
Oh wow! Look what was waiting for us
outside the old Methodist chapel.
Everyone had their own box...
...inside which, apart from a lovely filled
multi-seeded bap, were a variety of extras,
including a fruit kebab. What a feast!
Then Paul appeared with cups of homemade soup for everyone -
a surprise, made by his wife Hilary.
HILARY - thank you so much - it was delicious
and very much appreciated..
Needless to say - everyone was MORE than satisfied with their Xmas walk this year.
There will now be a break in blog transmission for two weeks. Having completed no fewer than 1786 hours work during the 8 months since lockdown restrictions were eased in the spring, the NCVs are having a well earned rest. In the meantime:
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY
(AND HEALTHY) NEW YEAR!!
