A Frosty Woodland Walk at Rowse Farm
Winter has well and truly arrived across the UK, and while many parts of Cornwall are blanketed in snow, we’ve been spared the worst of it here at Rowse. We’re scalloped into the hillside and so seem to have avoided the snow, although the icy conditions on the road outside are a reminder to tread carefully – Kirsty took a tumble earlier this morning as she realised her wellies didn’t have a huge amount of grip! With safety in mind, we opted for an easier dog walk and we headed down through the big field to walk the ‘wrong way’ around the woods for a winter woodland walk. We occasionally do this as it gives us fresh perspective to our usual walk.
As we dropped down into the big field, Peanut was in her element, sniffing out all the new frozen scents. The only real sign of the icy temperatures was the crunch of frosty leaves beneath our boots as we entered the woods.
Normally, Peanut loves a swim at Rowse Creek, but today the chill was too much even for her. Instead, she entertained herself with a determined hunt for sticks – an activity she knows is against the rules but finds irresistible!
The changing landscape
Despite the charm of the frosty morning, the recent storms have left their mark. A couple of trees have fallen, and Barry’s Bridge is currently impassable, with a large tree sprawled across it. Clearing it will be a significant task, but for now, it adds a rugged beauty to the landscape. As we passed Rowse Spring, we noticed how the recent heavy rains had carved a track through the leaves, sweeping them to either side. In a few months, this area will be a sea of bluebells, but for now, the path is best tackled with sturdy wellies.
Peanut, of course, took it all in her stride, scrambling through the woods with her usual enthusiasm. By the time we returned home, she had certainly earned her breakfast!