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Friday, 2 November 2018

Winter prelude

Autumn has been a miserable business of colder than normal temperatures, high winds and rain, lots of rain. My husband and I have waited for the few hours between raindrops to get some garden work done and go for walks and hikes when we can. They have been far too few however. While the cold doesn’t defeat us, the rain and high winds do.


We did manage a short walk on the Hackeney Heritage Road west of Summerside this week. On a day wihout wind and rain, we collected Georgie, the golden grand-dog and headed out. When we finally released her on the red dirt road, Georgie ran as if possessed, so delighted to be free again. We knew exactly how she felt.


This old road is believed to have been built just over one hundred years ago. Prior to this road, the area had a cart track and a stagecoach road through its southern end.

 

Fields and woodlands border the old road today, but the wind has stripped most trees of colour already. The road has pot holes and ruts full of water, muddied red from the iron-rich soil and the weeks of rain. However, the turn near the beginning of the road drew us in. 




We dodged the water





and periodically walked through areas which were more protected from the wind and still had some colour. 





The desire to arrive at the point in the distance kept us going.





Fields have yielded their summer bounty. Leaves and tiny potatoes rejected by the harvester, cover the fields. The lack of sufficient rain kept potato size small this year. Now the tiny tubers are wasting away on the fields.





In several places along the way, remnants of buckets and a kettle hung from trees, reminders of old homesteads.




At the halfway point, a boat looked at home in a field, a sure sign of the season.




 

Hackeney Road would be a great place for snowmobiling, snowshoeing or skiing. Soon!

17 comments:

DJan said...

It's still very beautiful. Puddles are fairly normal for me to see around here at this time of year. That picture with Georgie smiling so big shows how happy she is to be outside. Thanks for sharing your world with me, Marie. :-)

Tabor said...

Such a lovely area. Missing fall hikes and trying to catch up. I am surprised they bring such large boats inland.

Linda d said...

Wow, things sure change fast. Great pictures.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I think Hackeney Road would look fab whatever the season Marie, Georgie certainly loves it ☺

William Kendall said...

The old road reminds me of the odd former railway bed here that would be converted into a walking trail.

Elephant's Child said...

Cold it might have been, but it is still beautiful. I am glad that you got out - and shared the wonder.

Bill said...

We get lots of rain and wind which keep us in too. Trying to get a walk in between breaks of the rain and wind is challenging. Hackeney Road ia beautiful for walks, hope you can get a few more before winter arrives.

Barbara said...

Why was a boat on the field. Does it usually flood to that point. The path is beautiful without the tracks.

Silver in AZ said...

I agree...still gorgeous. Glad you made it!

Anvilcloud said...

It's been very rainy here too. Glad you had a break though.

Elaine (Retired Knitter) said...

My husband and I enjoyed hiking when he could see. Now that his vision has failed him, we never go. Too unsafe if you can't see where you are putting your next step. You pictures remind me of those wonderful times.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

That looks like the same kind of red soil that we get down in Devon. A fine old road for walking.

Angela said...

Whau! The North of Brazil has that same type of reddish/brown soil. It is pretty to look at it. Georgie looks so cute! It is rainy and colder her today however we are happy we didn't get snow. We got 40 degrees Fahrenheit which is about 4.4 Celsius right now here in North Dakota. I like this temp. Take care.

Mage said...

My note to you vanished. You three are so filled with energy. I so admire all that yyou do. Hugs.

Rick (Ratty) said...

Old roads make great hiking trails. That looks like a beautiful place to go for a long walk.

Debbie said...

right now it is puddles, soon it will be snow!! either way, it is still beautiful!!

Jenn said...

Great photos, that path covered in leaves through the trees always brings up strong feelings in me and I am not sure why. Perhaps I walked a similar path sometime, somewhere.