Saturday, 17th March 2018
A few years ago, some work colleagues clubbed together and got me a Trapper hat as a semi-joke one Christmas. (A) They knew I'm not really a hat wearer. (B) We hardly have the climate for this kind of headwear. (C) I don't intentionally "do" bad weather walks.
Well, today, it got an outing.
Where I live, the fields are waterlogged and doing a fine impression of the Lake District just at the moment. Walking along the edge of them is nigh-on impossible due to the slick clay and chalk mud and finding walks that aren't pounding the pavements is almost impossible.
I had Cabin Fever again 
The Met Office had issued an Amber weather warning for my area and, after I'd inwardly finished rolling my eyes (Oooh, it's going to snow. In winter. Imagine that) and, having seen the squally snow flurries, I got wrapped up warm and headed to Paull for a "bracing" walk along the river.
Now, I do know, at this time of year the wind is fierce, harsh, bitter and strong as it barrels in from the coast, bringing with it all that Arctic air. It bounces off Cleethorpes and buffets it's way inland, up the Humber, occasionally creating little water-spouts as it goes. Yes, this time of year, the unwary get caught out. The landscape is flat (though not featureless) and there's simply nothing to stop it, or protect you from it, once you're up on the river bank.
So the Trapper Hat got an outing.
Imagine, if you will, donning thermal leggings, trousers, waterproof trousers, thermal long sleeved t-shirt, fleece, windshirt, a "winter duvet" jacket... and a trapper hat. 
Oh, and some gloves. As always, on my tootsies I wore my walking shoes.
Oh, and some gloves. As always, on my tootsies I wore my walking shoes.
So, anyway, I set off and almost straight away got a blizzard in my face. It eased off as I rounded the corner of some houses and I was a little bit sheltered. However, as I headed up the back road to Thorngumbald (protected by houses and trees) I could see ahead I was in for some grim weather:
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| Paull Church about to receive a weather-y battering |
Once out into the open, a side-wind buffeted me and as I turned down the farm track to head towards the river I looked over towards Hedon for a normally rather good view of Hedon Church. It had been obliterated by a blizzard, and it was heading my way:
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| Hedon Church - it's over there somewhere |
No sooner as I turned back round and the blizzard started:
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| Bye bye sunshine (on the right). Hello snowstorm (incoming left) |
A few yards later:
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| Time to put the camera away me thinks |
This snow was those tiny little polystyrene pellets that sting like mad when they hit your face and I started to question my sanity. But no! It was quite invigorating. I was wrapped up cozy and warm. So I carried on.
Under the gate I went, taking shelter by the hedge to get this shot of Paull Holme Strays - a salt marsh and haven for wading birds:
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| Paull Holme Strays |
I decided to turn left for a change and walk around the inland edge of the marsh along the flood embankment. In a blizzard.... am I mad? I could be sat at home in the warm!
Along the embankment I walked, passing a couple out walking their dog. They also questioned my/their sanity as we passed.
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| One of the sea cuts snaking it's way into oblivion - the Humber Estuary is out there somewhere |
Further along I passed a chap, also walking his dog, and he asked how far I was heading. When I mentioned the bird hide (about a mile further along) he said he'd just turned back from there as the wind was almost knocking him off his feet and advised caution. Duly noted, I said I'd carry on and see how far I got.
On reaching the seat near Outstray mudflats and getting views like this:
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| Waders on the mudflats |
...I decided not to carry on any further. The wind was, indeed, much stronger along here and, although the photograph doesn't show it, it's a steep drop down the embankment into the mudflats - a soft landing maybe but not a place you want to end up in.
Reluctantly, I turned back and enjoyed the other side of my face getting shotblasted by the blizzard. Made a nice change 
My view for the return leg:
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| I think it's brightening up! |
You have no other option than to return the way you came - as you can see, you have about a 10 foot wide "top" to walk on. On one side, the mudflats, on the other a drainage ditch. But it is a lovely, peaceful stretch to walk along, even in bad weather.
A final glance behind me and, wait! What's that?:
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| Sunshine highlighting the snow covered embankment |
... Was I in for some sunshine?:
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| A fleeting bit of sunshine |
Lovely. This brief reprieve from the blizzard lifted my spirits immeasurably and I stood a while just taking in the surroundings and watching the wading birds on the mud. It was still fiercely windy though and I could see more snow coming in.
And in it came, bringing with it gusty winds that had me staggering in a drunken-like fashion. Aye. It was time to head home alright.
I turned left at the gate and headed to another bird hide for a bit of a reprieve from the weather. Then my phone buzzed low battery and, not wanting to lose my track recording, I reluctantly set back off again, up and over the "off piste" part of my walk at Paull Holme Strays.
I chose the low, riverside route which provided some shelter from the horizontal snow flying overhead and, in no time at all, was back at my car, feeling invigorated and ready for a cuppa.
It goes to show though how the cold weather affects battery life. My phone was fully charged before I set off and I was only out 2 hours. My car said it was minus one and a snowflake. The windchill made it feel like about minus ten. My face looks like I've got sunburn. The wind and snow did that.
My trapper hat kept my head and ears toasty warm and I don't care one jot if I looked a right bonny bugga. I was warm and dry and that's what counts.
Thanks for looking 