Recently we went for a lovely Autumnal walk through our local woods. There were crisp, orange-toned leaves in abundance!
If I’m totally honest, though, the highlight for me was spotting a gorgeous festive holly tree swinging out across the brook. It’s definitely starting to look like Christmas down the woods (and I’m an absolute sucker for anything Christmas! The new John Lewis advert already has me in pieces – Monty!!)
After a lazy breakfast at the lovely Archer’s Cafe at Red Bank Farm this weekend we went for a wander along the nearby beach/mud flats/salt marsh! It gave me another chance to try out my brilliant wellies and, of course, to play in the sea. The weather was incredibly blustery, leaving me in a big grump when I couldn’t see properly whilst we walked in one direction. Despite behaving like a spoilt child I managed to find plenty of crab exo-skeletons to keep me entertained. There’s something about animal skeletons that you find outside that genuinely fascinates me. The most random spot of the day, however, was just how many ladybirds there were. Hundreds of the little ones were scattered in among the patches of vegetation growing throughout the flats. Some of them engaging in more risque outdoor pursuits than we were willing to risk that day!
Last Friday we came home from work to discover a tiny baby bird had made its way onto our lawn (they’ve been nesting in our roof awning) looking very dazed and confused. After an initial panic that the little one was sure to die, and some serious googling, I discovered that it wasn’t anything to panic about, and that some birds leave their nests up to a week before they can fly whilst they wait for their flying feathers to come in. Thanks RSPB. Further research told us that the babies were in fact Jackdaws, not crows as I’d initially assumed.
Over the course of the weekend we found that there wasn’t just one fledgling making itself at home in our back garden, but two! We also learnt that bird parents are scary and possessive, we got dive bombed by the overprotective guys whilst trying to get into our back door and when putting the recycling out. Turns out mummy birds are pretty full on!
I’ve spent most of my spare time this weekend watching the little guys, whose ridiculous old men faces can’t help but make me smile! They’ve since been named Peter and Fledgey. The little guys are still there today, and are definitely going to be missed when they, quite literally, fly the nest!
We are so lucky to live where we do; we have beautiful countryside and riverside walks pretty much on our doorstep! During the last sunny spell of weather we decided take a wander alongside the River Lune through to Caton and the Crook of Lune. The weather was lovely, and it gave me another opportunity to test drive my beloved new Hunter wellies. For the record, these are the comfiest wellies I’ve ever owned (far more than the cheapo colourful jobs that saw me through many a muddy festival!) Whilst expensive, these were a birthday present from my parents and I know that I’ll definitely get their money’s worth out of them!
The walk was lovely, very few people around (aside from some seriously rude cyclists!) and we were fortunate enough to see a heron hanging out on the weir waiting for passing fish. I tried my best to capture him but I think there’s still some work needed on the old nature photography front!
Once we got to the Crook itself we wandered through the fields a little further beside the river. I managed to deal with the fields of sheep just fine, but the fields of cows were another matter! Cows are, and will probably always be, one of my biggest fears. Completely ridiculous for a 28 year old. I dealt with one field fine, with Jonny firmly between me and the cows, but the second was too much for my new found bravery to deal with. I am an actual wimp.
The walk home was equally beautiful and, thankfully, cow free! Although I was a little sad that the heron was nowhere to be seen when we passed the weir again. Fingers crossed he’s there next time we venture down.
halfway-home.co.uk 