Review Part 3

Where were we? Oh yes! September found Malcolm and I away for a few days in Llandudno. We walked around the Little Orme...

 we walked around the Great Orme...

 and up and over it too!

 We enjoyed the Gardens at the foot of it...

 and the Goats which roam around all over it.

 We also made some new friends - but only while we had something to eat!

Back home, we had plenty of late colour in the countryside. Rose Hips...

 Lucerne...

 and these beautiful Buckwheat flowers.

Autumn was definitely on its way by the end of the month.

By October, things were beginning to change colour in the trees and hedgerows.

 More fungi were appearing...

 and we started to get a few more misty morning walks.

October also saw the tenth anniversary of this blog. Where does the time go?

By November, the leaves were falling, but we still had a some lovely weather to enjoy.

 At this time of year, you have to make the most of what good weather you get.

 It was Malcolm's birthday at the end of the month, so we had a nice day in Buxton once more.

 Buxton is a lovely town at any time of year, but it was considerably colder than our last visit.

And so we come to December and the end of another year.

I seem to have been rather lazy of late and not posted on the blog very often. So I will try to do better in 2019. So here's to another year and see you on the other side!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Review Part 2

By May, the Bluebells were in full swing...

and the Cherry blossom was looking better by the day.

After a shaky start to the year, it was all rather beautiful.

The Rhododendrons and Azaleas followed with their own display of colour.

But the real highlight was undoubtedly the Hawthorn. The combination of a wet and cold start, followed by a very warm sunny spell, certainly benefited these glorious trees. They were simply smothered in blossom.

Into June and Malcolm and I set off for a few days in Norfolk. The weather was picking up even further and we made the most of our walks around some of the Broads.

We had some lovely walks taking in the old mills...

some in better 'nick' than others.

Of course it was Orchid time too and they always give great value.

Not so many Bee Orchids this year, but what there were made up for it.

By now it was getting so hot, we had to spend a lot of time looking for cool, shady walks through the trees.

By July things were getting very dry everywhere.

 Those Highland Cattle were wishing they could take off their woolly coats.

 Some Soldier Beetles were looking for a little privacy...

 and a large Bumble Bee was sunning itself on the fence.

We also had a nice trip out to Buxton and enjoyed the botanical gardens.

Things were still very warm and dry as July turned to August. The reservoirs were beginning to look somewhat depleted (they are still low, even after all the autumn rain).

At Mapperley Reservoir, we were treated to the sight of a Fox coming down to take a refreshing drink as we stood looking out across the water.

 The warm weather meant it was a better year for butterflies.

But the countryside was still showing signs of drought. But that was about the end of the summer and I could at last look forward to the Autumn - although Malcolm was in no hurry to see the end of the hot weather.

Last part tomorrow...

Review of the Year 1

It's that time of the year again, when I take a quick look back at what we've been doing through the past twelve months. So, we will start at the very beginning (a very good place to start) and we started with a very colourful character in the shape of a Mandarin duck on Osborne's Pond. Any day which includes a Mandarin, is always a good one.

Malcolm and I had a short winter break in January, part of which involved a visit to Bath and all the historical buildings which delight the visitor.

Leaving Bath behind, we set off for Cornwall, taking in the North Devon Coast on the way.

Our time in Newquay was as rewarding as ever, with some fine walks - and the weather was kind to us too.

 The sun even came out...!

 And we had a rather cheeky visitor to our hotel windowsill...

February came around and we were treated to the sight of a wonderful bird and a new 'tick' for my life list. A couple of Hawfinches, high in tree tops on Shipley Hill - which made photography rather tricky.

 Soon, the Snowdrops started to make their cheerful appearance.

The swans at Straw's Bridge were looking good in the weak winter sunshine.

In March, we had a visit to Attenborough Nature Reserve and had an usually close view of an ordinarily shy Water Rail...

a gorgeous Red-crested Pochard...

 and a rather dumpy-looking Bullfinch.

We also had a period of bitter weather which put a stop on the onset of Spring.

By the time April arrived, we eventually had a taste of spring and the blossom all seemed to appear at once. The Blackthorn...

 Pink Cherry...

 Gorse...

 and white Cherry blossom, all combined to drive away the winter blues.

As did the delightful new-born Highland Calves.

 So impossibly cute...

That's all for today, we'll continue this trawl through the year tomorrow...