Each year, during late winter or early spring, I go for a walk. A lengthy, solo walk. I decide which long distance footpath I want to do, work out the miles I'm going to walk each day, pre-book all my accommodation and buy my train tickets. This year, I'm walking Wainwright's Coast to Coast; a … Continue reading Time For A Walk
Photography
Little Owl
I disturbed a bird the other day. I was walking through the garden of the Old Forge and something broke cover. Though I managed to get a hurried snap of it in flight, it was gone too quickly for me to see what it might be. It was only later, alerted by the scolding call … Continue reading Little Owl
Birdwatching
I don't get a great variety of birds in my garden. Plenty of herring gulls, and a family of charismatic crows. Hardly exciting stuff, though we do get ... ... green woodpeckers too. They are regular visitors, feeding mostly on the ants that live in our dry, chalky soil. But in comparison to the Priory, … Continue reading Birdwatching
Goldcrest
I was working on the rose tunnel the other day and suddenly became aware of a constant, small companion. It was a Goldcrest (Regulus regulus), Europe's smallest bird (along with the similar Firecrest). I've only ever caught a glimpse of one at the Priory before, as it darted into some conifers - their preferred hunting … Continue reading Goldcrest
A Walk Up The Priory Drive
Fancy a summer's walk? No? Oh well, suit yourself. Yes? Good for you. Here's a series of photos I took last August, on a rare sunny morning. Starting at the car park entrance, I took a shot every ten paces as I walked up to the iron gate at the top of the drive. Beyond … Continue reading A Walk Up The Priory Drive
Lambs And Calves. Again.
I was going to be so strong. Honest, I was. I was going to resist, you see. Resist posting yet more photos of cutesy calves and lovely lambs. After all I've posted lots of photos of both before. But when Margaret (the neighbouring farmer) told me that she was expecting (so to speak), it gnawed … Continue reading Lambs And Calves. Again.
December …
has been either rain-sodden or bitterly cold down at the Priory. I much prefer the latter. The west pond has been frozen but Solo ... ... no longer ventures out onto it. A couple of years ago (when this photo was taken) she ran across the ice (chasing a snowball), broke through and had to … Continue reading December …
The Anxious Gardener 