The aftermath of my first ever muddy exploration – as an adult, anyway. As a kid I'd enjoyed squelching around in mud, but I'd left it behind when I grew up.

I don't know what possessed me, 20 years ago when I visited this pond, but something clicked in my brain and I realised I still LOVED walking in mud, loved exploring spots off the trail, so why not just go for it.

My walking boots were never quite the same afterwards.

6/6

#nature #pond #mud #sinking #muddy #boots

It was beautiful. I sunk a little, the wet mud giving way immediately I set a foot in it.

I pressed onwards, crossing the pond, sinking almost up to my knees.

It was glorious!

5/6

#water #nature #pond #mud #sinking #muddy

I reached the end of the weeds and looked out across the mud flats. Nobody was around. Here was my opportunity to wade out into the mud.

In years to come I'd coin the term 'swamp larking' to describe exploring a wet, muddy area with pretty much the sole purpose being to squelch around in the muck.

4/6

#water #nature #pond #mud #muddy