Final Pre-Lockdown Walk in the Wolds

In these first few days of January the issue of Covid restrictions have become confused.  in NE Lincs we are still in Tier 3 but Lincolnshire has moved into Tier 4 meaning that we are now unable to meet up with Brian and Heather for walking. Aware that we are unable to travel into Lincolnshire we decided to drive to Irby, still in NE Lincs for a walk in Irby Dale.  We followed our regular walk but making the most of being able to travel at all we extended the walk over to Swallow Dale and finished by walking through Irby Dale again.  An enjoyable walk with some dramatic light.

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Dog Walking and Photography.

We decided to celebrate delivering my degree work to Barnsley for final assessment by taking Jet for an extra long walk through Irby and Swallow valleys and woods. 
Our route took us from Irby Dale high over the wold with expansive views over the Number and down into Swallow Dale.  We had to stick to the valley path here as timber felling was in progress.  It was good to see that they were not clear felling but substantial trees were being left with clearing to allow the light into glades.  Good for wildlife.
A short road section took us to Swallow and then the old road back to Irby Dale.  Butterflies were on the wing: speckled woods and tortoiseshells and a superb second brood brimstone.  There were still plenty of sloes on the bushes as we returned along the top path to the car.