Cemetery Flora

 A sunny day without builders today (our house is currently clad in scaffolding as we are having building work done - loads of dust and dirt 😟.) LeavingHeather to some clearing up, I walked round for the papers and then we both walked to the cemetery to look for the white helleborines. They were in the usual place and I counted around 20 flower spikes so they continue to hang on. We also found some rosy garlic covering one grave. Presumably it had been planted. Good to see nonetheless.

Rosy garlic

White helleborine

Getting Back to the Horsefield.

 The day again dawned overcast and dull. This, and the fact that I thought that it had moved on, deterred me from going to Winter's to see the buff-breasted sandpiper. Annoyingly, I discovered later that it would have still been there. Still, as the clouds cleared, I opted for the cemetery and Horsefield.

The blackthorn has gone now and the May blossonm is beginning to fade but cow parsley is coming to its peak, continuing the froth of white in the hedgerows. The horsefield is looking superb and there are loads of birds. It was good to get common and lesser whitethroat, blackcap and garden warbler.

House sparrow

Linnet

Linnet

Fledgling robin

Speckled Wood

Pilgrimage to Bempton

 Typically, after such a lot of sunny weather, that we should wake to cloudy skies and a brisk, to say the least, northerly wind. Undaunted Brian and I launched off to Bempton arriving at 12.00. Fortified by sandwiches we set off for the cliff top. Despite the weather, it was spectacular and the strong winds meant that the birds were hanging in the updrafts at eye level. Photography was problematic as the wind kept blowing the camera and long lens, and me, sideways.

A splendid day was rounded off with fish and chips in Cottingham.

Spain, Day 13. The Journey Home

 After breakfast and packing we had time to wander in the olive grove behind or hotel. A beautiful park with some stunning views.

All too soon it was time for the taxi to the bus station and the journey back to Malaga airport. I was delighted to have great views of the Guadalhorce reserve as we took off. We had a good flight home and the only thing left was the drive back up to Grimsby on the saterday. We were excited, though to get home and see the garden. Paradise garden, well there's a thought!!! 😊