Final Pre-Lockdown Walk in the Wolds

In these first few days of January the issue of Covid restrictions have become confused.  in NE Lincs we are still in Tier 3 but Lincolnshire has moved into Tier 4 meaning that we are now unable to meet up with Brian and Heather for walking. Aware that we are unable to travel into Lincolnshire we decided to drive to Irby, still in NE Lincs for a walk in Irby Dale.  We followed our regular walk but making the most of being able to travel at all we extended the walk over to Swallow Dale and finished by walking through Irby Dale again.  An enjoyable walk with some dramatic light.

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Dodging the Rain and Dramatic Skies in the Wolds

Dramatic Skies in Irby Dale.

After several days of heavy rain and gloomy skies we decided to don the waterproofs and take Jet for a walk in Irby Dale and around the Woods.  We managed to stay dry throughout our walk but the heavens opened  as we got back to the car.  It was good to be back here after so long.  It is the first time I have walked in Irby Dale since Lockdown started.  Initially because I was only walking/cycling from the house, but wnhen there was the fist easing of restrictions people flocked to Irby, clogging up with village with badly parked cars and leaving rubbish and causing damage in the valley and woods.  Although we had the walk to ourselves, we met two women and their children and, later, from a distance, watching them returning down a farm road that had a very clear no access sign on it.  Some people are unbelievable.  Having said that we enjoyed a superb walk with dramatic skies.  I was interested to see that there had been some forestry operations going on and the cleared woodland would be better for it, letting in more light and allowing spring plants a chance to flower.  Perhaps improving the environment for butterflies too.

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Dog Walking in Irby Dale and Woods

Needing to take Jet for a walk today, we headed to Irby to walk through the dale and woods.  It was again a beautiful day and we enjoyed our walk.  The countryside is beginning to change from the green monochrome of June and early July and take on golden hues as the cereal crops, especially barley begining to ripen.  In fact I have just seen my first field being harvested.
Again butterflies were numerous with ringlets, gate keeper, meadow brown and small and large skippers in evidence.  The thing that we enjoyed most today, however, were the thistles, especially the huge nodding bright purple heads of scotch thistle.  Yet another excellent walk.

Spring comes to Irby Dale

We recently walked in Irby Dale. Delighting in the trees coming into leaf I spent some time photographing the fresh young sycamore leaves. One of the few plants that can be found in flower in every season of the year, gorse was blooming well and smelling alluringly of coconut, as usual, reminding me of holidays in warmer climes. Irby church yard was a riot of colour, the thick carpet of primroses in their prime. We are used to seeing and hearing buzzards over Irby Dale now, but it was exciting not only to hear the ‘yaffle’ but to have excellent views of a green woodpecker. This seems to be a species that has expanded into the area.