Cristmas common - Cowleaze wood

It was a sunny but bitterly cold day for England. We usually walk on Saturdays but last Saturday Maurice was trying out free running. I don't know if it's good or bad, but he didn't like it. He likes the idea of free running, but he didn't like the set-up of the session. As he put it - something was off. And apparently it wasn't off in his karate class or swimming. But at least he tried. There were so many Red Kites while driving towards our destination. All gliding above the busy road. Don't know what brought them there. Probably small birds in the trees.
As we are getting slowly into Christmas mood, what can be a better place for a walk than Christmas Common! It is a small village off M40, around 45 minutes from us. As we pulled into the parking place, we were greeted by this little fellow. The picture isn't the best, but you'll get the idea:)

Soon we were off the main road and in the forest. Maurice had somehow hurt his leg yesterday and now when walking, he could feel it. There were (I think) old bomb holes in the forest, where I know he would have loved to run up and down but now he only carefully climbed up and down.

Usually it is the forest where you can loose your track if there is no clear footpath, but this walk was very clearly marked. We only went wrong once towards the end of the walk but even then ended up parallel to where we were supposed to be, so it didn't cause us any extra miles.

Sometimes there are clear way marks and when you have reached them, you know you're on the right track. On this walk, there was supposed to be an urn in the forest. It was near the property so I guess some time ago it must have been part of someone's huge estate. 

Soon our route took us up the hill. While going up the hill was tough, the views were

 amazing. We were surrounded by the calls of red kites all around us. 

It is never clear on pictures how high or tough the hills actually are. We were supposed to go up through that yellow corn field into the forest. And this wasn't the highest climb of the route. People who climb mountains must be really fit! I can walk for hours without problem but throw in a mountain and I'm dead. Something to work on. 

Our route ahead of us

Half way up

Rest time

When it's so cold outside, there is not much time to rest cause you will get too cold, While Maurice and doggy were having a little rest, I took some pictures of surrounding beautiful area. 

At the moment the days are so short that we don't have time to go off the route while in summer we can climb the trees or do whatever we want. But we couldn't miss some of those shelters that were built. We didn't have time to build one. My dream is to do some wild camping one day. It's not allowed in England but a lot of people do it - they settle down late at night and take off first thing in the morning, no harm done. 

Last push uphill was a killer. I was probably too tired. The water that I had with me was too cold, so I didn't want to drink it as much as I normally do. Also I have been struggling with my health recently, so I guess that doesn't help either. But the sense of achievement when you finally make it to the top is amazing! And in your head you already plan your next walk, having forgotten how you swore never to do it again. 

This walk was taken from the www.walkingworld.com If you like walking, I highly recommend you subscribe and you'll have unlimited access to walks. Even some abroad.