This is my monthly walking journal for January 2023.
Finally, we are getting drier days! We have had so much rain that any dry day is very welcome, even if a bit cloudy or overcast.
We have also had a frosty spell for a week or so. I love getting out and about on frosty days. However, it comes at a time when fuel prices are ridiculously expensive, so I hope those without much income to spare can get through this.
Daylight Hours
There have been a few posts saying that the sun will set after 7pm or 8pm in just 35 or so days (something like that). I looked it up and that won’t be the case until after the clocks go forward at the end of March. Some time to go yet.
I find it interesting that mornings and evening are not getting longer in equal proportions. While looking it up, I confirmed my long-term view that evenings stay lighter gradually longer than mornings stay darker. So through January, in Cornwall, the evening sunset ranged from around 4.25pm to 5.10pm (50 mins change ). Sunrise went from about 8.20am to 7.55am (-25 mins change). Overall we get an extra 1 hour and 15 mins of daylight by the end of January.
Country and Coast – January
The woodlands and hedgerows are looking very barron now. Just the evergreen tress, shrubs and leaves are showing through the tangled twigs and branches of the leafless flora.
I have done just one longish walk this month. It was a real pleasure to park up at Cremyll and do a lap around Mount Edgcumbe Park. The route follows the SW coast path from the park entrance and onto Redding Point. From there, head inland to walk to Mount Edgcumbe House. I took a delicious lunch break in the Farriers cafe, which is in a complex of shops and craft outlets.
According to the weather forecast, it was meant to be a dry day – the first in a considerable time at the start of January. But, guess what? Thankfully I was prepared and out came the waterproofs and camera rain covers. Who needs a camera anyway when there is not much to see?
The ground was thoroughly saturated. Sticking to the paths was slippery, at best. There were quite a few people out and about with pumps/plimsoles. It was like a skating rink for them with no treads for grip.
I was surprised that the snowdrops hadn’t made a show in these parts through January. There are normally quite a few out by now. Sometimes, even a primrose or two. Maybe they are waterlogged!
When I’m out on my lunchtime walks at this time of year, it’s great to see an old oak tree devoid of leaves, yet creating an abstract of twisting, winding branches. Look to its roots and bark and there is often thousands of insects scurrying around, feeding off of it.
