This is England

May Hill, with its spectacular views lit by winter sun, has a promise of the spring to come, as in Edward Thomas's account of an epic walk

- Fiona Reynolds

AFTER getting drenched in Suffolk over Christmas, I'm determined to pick a better day for my next walk-and what a day I choose! After weeks of relentless rain, the temperature has dropped, the ground is frosty and the sun is out. The air is bitterly cold, but the sun's rays hold a hint of warmth, as if to say we are on the right side of Christmas and spring will surely come.

In this cheerful mood, we set out for May Hill, the highest point in Gloucestershire. Its distinctive rounded profile, topped by an aesthetically perfect stand of pines, is visible for miles in all directions. From the dispersed village of May Hill itself, it's only a short, refreshing walk to the hill's approach, then a gentle gradient to the top. We're not alone: several families are, like us, revelling in the change in the weather.