Damp Walk and Wonderful Cowslips

 Although we had driven through hill fog and drizzle, when Brian and I pulled into the car park at Goulceby's Three Horseshoes pub it was at least dry and calm although misty. Soon Dorothy and Steve arrived and we set off on our circular walk taking in Asterby Top and Red Hill.  On the way up to Asterby Top it was amazing to see that the road had been closed. There is a huge badger sett on the hillside here and the badgers have dug under the road and caused it to collapse. On a better day there would be good views  across to Lincoln Catherdral and over the Bain Valley.

Our route took us down into the valley and then steeply up to the nature reserve at Red Hill. Here we had a quick look at the pasque flowers that have now started to go over somewhat.  The cowslips in the festival field, however, were looking superb.

Our walk finished by walking down into the valley and over fields, where we met 'The Heathers', back to the car and pub.  It was, of course, beer o'clock: Batemans Yella Belly for me; nectar.  The food was also superb and to be highly recommended.

Further Signs of Spring Along the Freshney

 Despite the Arctic forecast the day turned out to be bright and sunny, although there was a nithering northerly wind making it feel close to freezing; in fact parts of the country have had snow.  We walked Jet along the Freshney as far as the ponds at the back of Morrison's and back.  Signs of spring are everywhere now with more migrant birds arriving every day and we saw our first swallow of the year zip past.  Back at Littlecoates church we carried on towards the leisure centre to check on the cowslips and were delighted to find good patches of them in flower and looking magnificent.  I managed to get close enough to a little egret to get some photos and also a magpie, another very wary bird, in full sun which showed off its colours to perfection.

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A Day with Bluebells.

Today began dull and grey, looked as though it was going to brighten and then turned even more dull and grey.  I began the day with some fun photography in the garden.  Our Bramley is a mass of blossom, despite a heavy prune earlier this Spring, and it looks wonderful.  Deciding it was too good an opportunity to miss I cut a spray and took some snaps.  The bonus with photographing plants like this is that the garden can be used like a studio: background chosen the right distance away to be out of focus and the plant placed in the best light.  I also had a play with a paperweight with an azalea behind it.  Later, thinking that the weather was picking up a bit, I made a dash for a couple of local bluebell woods.  First a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve: Rigsby Wood near Alford which is supposed to be a bit of a showpiece for blue bells.  I always find it disappointing, however, and hedging my bets called in at Beesby woods on the way home.  Here there was a superb display and I was delighted to find the badger set very definitely active.  A great treat, as I thought that it had been stopped up.  Before leaving Rigsby, though, I took a picture of the cowslips which were in good condition.

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