Saturday 30 March 2019

A Short Walk along The Ancholme at Brigg

On 30th March, struggling with my bad back, I walked a short distance along the River Ancholme at Brigg. Again blackthorn was well in flower, with its beautifully intricate white flowers with orange/red stamens, and butterbur was well out on the bank side. I like the fact that one of the reasons this plant was given its name was for its very large leaves that continue to grow after the flowers have died and in days gone by used to be used to wrap butter to keep it cool.  I delighted in the close observation of the micro-landscape of a silver birch trunk and even enjoyed the challenge of trying to sketch it.







Friday 15 March 2019

Beach Combing at Cleethorpes.

During March we enjoyed a couple of walks on the beach at Cleethorpes and also along Anthony's Bank to the Fitties Yacht Club.  We had low tides and so were able to get right out to explore the wrecks near the Buck Beck outflow.  Pussy willow and blackthorn blossoms were in full swing and we found our first coltsfoot in flower.  The beach is always fascinating and close up images of shells fascinate me, especiall at wide - angle to show the habitat: Haille Sandfort on occasions.  Similarly the dunes and saltmarsh always make rewarding beach combing expeditions, in this cares huge pieces of driftwood which would make wonderful garden sculptures, but would need a lorry to transport them home.  I wonder where they originated?




































  

Tuesday 5 March 2019

First Walk Around The Horsefield

Since my heart heart surgery I have been following the physiotherapist's instructions and walking every day, gradually increasing the length and time of walks.  I began with very short walks in the street and 'round the block', then extending them into the cemetery 5 mins walk away.  Eventually I was completing a full lap of two miles and today decided to embark on my first walk around the Horsefield.  This is common land or edgeland and it is a walk I do on a regular basis and I am gradually building a portfolio of photographs and natural observations.  

For a couple of weeks now birds have been singing and preparing for breeding: establishing territories and attracting mates.  Great and blue tits along with blackbirds and song thrushes have been particularly vocal.  Male blackbirds, in particular have been vying for supremacy in our garden, both as territory and as a source of food in the windfall apples that we keep putting out for them.  Daffodils are now taking over from snowdrops and crocuses and hawthorn leaves and blackthorn blossom are beginning to open.  

On today's walk in the warm spring sunshine a male reed bunting in superb breeding plumage was in evidence and  high over the meadow land a buzzard soared its plaintive mewing raising the hairs on the back of my neck.  It was fascinating to see one of these successful raptors so close to urbanization.  The fields surrounding the Horsefield have been freshly ploughed and await this year's crops. 










Monday 4 March 2019

First Hilly Walk Since Surgery

As the 'ladies' were having a get together to honour a visit by Elaine who lives in Malmo, Sweden the decision was to pick her up from the station and then meet up with another friend, Maureen, at Dorothy and Steve's in Irby on the edge of the Wolds.  The plan was a walk and then lunch before taking Elaine back to the station.  This was to be my first walk in anything like hilly terrain and, just like my first foray in the Wolds at Swallow on 15th February, as soon as I launched up the first hill my legs became tired and I was breathing hard.  More so in this case, though, as the hills were hills, rather than a slope.  This was a real reminder that I am still very much recovering from the heart surgery and need to take things slowly.  I am a long way from being Munro fit.
It was a surprise and delight to hear a green woodpecker 'yaffling' in the village as we walked back to the house.