WALKING | Spring Sunshine At Tatton Park in Cheshire

March 13, 2016 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

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With the surprisingly pleasant early spring sun warming my arms, we walked without purpose. A distant lake glimpsed between trees enticed us closer, drawn as always to water as a moth to a flame.

Tatton Park is home to the reputedly haunted Old Hall, 1000 acres of Deer park, a neo-classical mansion, 50 acres of landscaped gardens, a farm and a children’s play area. Living just a twenty minute drive away, means we are frequent visitors to this National Trust country park in the heart of Cheshire. With the sun shining, we decided to drop in on our journey home from Liverpool.

A Pheasant, just chilling and doing Pheasant stuff

The neo-classical mansion

Crows cawed and an endless array of small fashionable cross-breed dogs barked and fetched sticks, walked by owners in Hunter wellies and Joules gilets. I snapped the landscape lazily with my camera and hovered a while to capture macro shots of bark, fungi and moss.

One of the lakes at Tatton Park

Pleased with the Bokeh in one shot, I proceeded to explain what it meant to my uninterested partner. For those who don’t know, and really, why would you, Bokeh is the name given to the round blurry dots of light captured by a camera when rendering a distant light source. Thrilling stuff for some.

That Bokeh shot I was rattling on about

Still heavy from an ungodly, but delicious brunch of pancakes and cripsy bacon, we chatted endlessly, the subject flitting aorund as thoughts and ideas occurred to us.

A Jackdaw followed, flying on ahead and then landing, before soaring ahead of us again, as if leading us on. The white brush of a rabbit flashed in the distance, drawing my eye. I spotted rabbit poo and and as my attention heightened, I noticed grazing rabbits all around us.

The Jackdaw that followed us

One of the grazing rabbits

Entrance to a rabbit warren

I was a little giddy still following a rare night out in the city, and too many cocktails; swapping the peace and familiarity of rural life for concrete buildings and crowds of people. The night was enjoyable thanks to the company of good friends, and an extensive cocktail menu that we did good a good job of working our way through. Waking to find myself hangover free, feels like the universe has finally cut be a break.

I refuse to feel remorse for last night, so I distract myself and steadfastly avoid adding up the cost. Absently I wonder how on earth people can justify spending such vast amounts on a regular basis. The beautiful weather and the location of our walk making me too relaxed to care.

Before the drive home, we decide an ice cream was necessary. Sitting on the tailgate we remove walking boots pleasingly splattered with mud, before taking a meandering scenic route home.

See my review of these Salomon Comet 3D Gore-Tex walking boots here

Woodland at Tatton Park

Back at home with the fire on, the cat rests his chin on my arm as I type. The weekend started with the grief that comes with saying a final goodbye. It continued with friends, good conversation and over-indulgence, and ended with a country walk on a perfect spring day.

I feel a calm acceptance and I finally feel centered again.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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