Folly pokes up blue

Some of my favourite walks are round the Ecton hills which are almost totally given over to Nature these days.
However, it is not a blue conifer you see in the middle of this photo, it is the high point of Ratcliffe's Folly.  Ratcliffe himself seemed to like isolation, which is perhaps why this house is so on its own on Ecton Hill.

Let loose on a stile

At last. The guidance is that most of us can now drive a distance to enjoy the countryside, albeit also while also advised to follow social distancing rules.  That's ok.  I'm happy not to make others feel uncomfortable.

In the joy of being let loose, the youngsters don't even mind the profusion of nettles, which seem to have gone a bit prolifically mad in our human absence.

Lock-up in lockdown

This fascinating small round building in Alton village in fact must have been rather grim for its occupants. It is the village's lock-up (temporary prison) - and has no windows. It dates to the early 19th century.

The English language is odd.  Is someone consigned to a lock-up... in lock-down?

Highlight of the day

In lockdown, one is asked not to walk far from home, and to go just for exercise.  So, curiously, going for a walk and seeing the lines of a pylon sketched against the sky at twilight are something of a highlight.

What is also curious is that there are no planes in the sky.