Odds and Ends

Just a few random pictures today, from our recent walks, starting with this rather attractive little Tufted Duck which seemed keen to have his photo taken...

But then, judging by his expression, he changed his mind!

Yesterday, as we were in Mapperley Village, we could hear the unmistakable sound of a Peacock, screaming in the distance. Eventually, we found where he was calling from.

From his vantage point on top of this shed, he made quite an impressive sight - and sound!

On Thursday, we went up and over Shipley Hill to check if the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) which we found a few weeks ago, had started to flower. It had!

This is still a small specimen and isn't very impressive so far, but the flowers, from which the tree gets its name, are still rather gorgeous. The leaves are a strange shape too.

Back home, our own garden has been permeated by the most intoxicating smell recently because our Palm (Cordyline australis) has produced three large flower spikes this year. We've never had such a good 'crop' of flowers - and the bees have loved them too. Sadly, the wet weather has dramatically shortened the flowering time, but it was good while it lasted.

Out in the countryside, the paths have been lined with Forget-me-nots...

and Cow Parsley.

But now, as they both begin to fade, the Ox-eye Daisies have their moment in the sun.

Youngsters

As usual at this time of year, there are plenty of youngsters about. Ducklings of course...

some, a little more advanced than others.

And some, almost fully grown.

The Canada Geese, have families too. Preening and snoozing...

before stretching those long legs.

The Coots too, have youngsters which are growing fast. Considering their tendency to get violent with over-demanding chicks, it's as well to grow up fast when you are a Coot.

The Common Terns which nest each year at Straw's Bridge, didn't have chicks the last time we looked, but maybe by now, they too will be busy feeding youngsters. Lets hope so!

Wild Flowers

Despite the rather chilly and wet weather we've had of late, Shipley Park is looking very colourful at the moment. This morning's walk took Malcolm and I through some fabulous wild flower meadows.

It's the time of year, when we start to look for the Bee Orchids coming into flower - and we found plenty of them this morning.

Such small flowers are often tricky to find among the others plants, but once you've got your eye in, you soon find them all over.

Some of the flowers have suffered a little in the rain, but these were quite gorgeous.

Go on then, just one more...

Growing alongside the Bee Orchids, the small, bright flowers of these Yellow-wort plants, were looking good too.

Yellow-wort like well drained conditions, so they're quite happy in the gravels of this old car-park.

There will no doubt be plenty more flowers to come....

Rye

The little town of Rye in East Sussex is both charming and picturesque and we have wanted to take a look around its narrow streets, for some time. So on Tuesday, after our walk along the coast at Rye Harbour, we walked the two miles into the town for a good scout around. We were not disappointed. The walk in, gave us some nice views across the salt marshes towards the town, sitting on its promontory. The skyline is dominated by the tower of St. Mary's Church.

Getting away from the roads and into the town itself, the first building we saw was 'Oak Corner' rebuilt, as the sign above the door reads, in 1490.

One of the main reasons for our visit, was to take a look at some of the places made famous by the wonderful E. F. Benson. Benson lived at Lamb House in the town from 1918 until his death in 1940 and was responsible for the 'Mapp and Lucia' series of books, set in 'Tilling', which was based on Rye. The Channel 4 series of the mid 1980's was filmed in the town and is a great favourite of ours too. The Hotel known as The Mermaid, features in the series as the 'Trader's Arms.'

St. Mary's Church is of course, the haunt of 'The Padre'.

The east end of the church features in three weddings and is the scene of much bitching between the two ladies of the title.

Close by, one of the oldest buildings in Rye, is Ypres Tower. Built in 1249 to keep the French out. This also features a few times in various scenes from the series.

Just around the corner, on Church Square, we found the house used as Major Benjy's home - before he married Miss Elizabeth Mapp.

Along Watchbell Street, we came to Fleetwood Cottage - renamed Mallard's Cottage for the series, and the home of Georgie Pilson (before he married Emmeline 'Lucia' Lucas). Sadly, there are always cars in the way!

Opposite the cottage, the much grander building of Mallard's House itself (properly known as Swan House).

In the books and the TV series, 'Mallard's' was the home of Elizabeth Mapp and later, Major Benjy. But following some ill-informed financial dealings, she was forced to sell and it became the property of Lucia - and later of course, Georgie Pilson.

Malcolm and I had a wonderful time wandering around the old streets of Tilling - sorry, Rye! But soon we had to start heading back.

If you've never read the Mapp and Lucia books by E. F. Benson, or seen the original Channel 4 series, I urge you to do so with all haste. You will not be disappointed!

Rye Harbour

In complete contrast to Monday's slight washout, Tuesday was bright, sunny and warm as we got to Rye Harbour.  We parked at the harbour car park - which is free (a rare thing these days) and set out to walk down to the sea, following the line of the River Rother.

Rye Harbour, is a vast area of salt marsh, shingle, salt lagoons, flooded gravel pits and reed beds. Looked after by the Sussex Wildlife Trust, it is an internationally important nature reserve...

 with wide-open scenery and big skies.

The shingle banks are dotted with many specialist seaside plants. Among the most numerous and eye-catching have to be the Sea Kale. There is also Yellow Horned Poppy, Viper's Bugloss, Teasel, Mulleins and many more to discover.

Along the track which follows the river down to the sea, a small, black hut with a distinctive red roof, breaks the flat skyline. Used as a 'beach hut' by the Honeysett family of the town of Rye back in the 1930's, there is no indication of it's current use.

The wildlife here is superb. In just the short time we were there, we spotted several bird species - even without the aid of binoculars - including Avocets, Little Terns and these spectacular Shelduck.

Turning back to the car park, we passed this grade II listed Martello Tower. Built in 1806 to help defend the South Coast against the ravages of Napoleonic forces. Now, just an interesting landmark on the edge of a caravan park.

After a short break at the car, we then set out for a long walk up into the town of Rye itself. But more of that tomorrow.

Soggy

Following our soaking at Lulworth Cove, we sat in the car for a while, dripping and debating what to do next. The car park ticket was good for both the Cove and Durdle Door, so we abandoned the idea of walking between the two and opted for the less energetic, but considerably drier choice of driving there. By the time we arrived at Durdle Door, the rain had just about stopped so we hauled our soggy selves down the path to take in another geological wonder. Before we got to see the famous arch, we looked down on Man O'War Beach.

The coastline is made up of various strata of hard and soft limestone bands, shifted into a near vertical orientation by geological forces. It is the harder of these rocks which form the arch of Durdle Door itself and remnants of it can also be seen running in a line either side if it.

The name 'Durdle' comes from the old English word 'thirl', meaning a drill or bore. Easy to see why when you see the arch itself. Off in the distance, the isle of Portland could just be seen on the horizon.

Some brave souls were on the beach doing, what looked like some sort of school field trip. Time for another panorama...

The sea was like a mill pond, despite the weather and we had some lovely views along the coast and the chalk cliffs, taking in the small promontory of Bat's Head. Soon enough, it rained again so we had to head back to the car, soggy, but happy to have seen the area at last.

It had been our intention, to pay a surprise call on Mary and Brian, in Portsmouth later in the day. But we were both so wet, mud-spattered and cold by this time, that we were in no fit state for visiting anyone and decided to postpone that pleasure until next time.
Next, we moved on to Rye in East Sussex. more of that tomorrow.

Lulworth

Leaving Swanage behind, we set off for Lulworth Cove. The weather was looking more threatening by the minute, but we pressed on anyway. Leaving the car behind, we set off to find the cove, passing such thatched delights as  Cove Cottage and Spring Cottage as we went.

Cove Cottage dates to the 18th century and has a small stream running through the grounds before it passes under the road and into a pond.  We soon made it to the cove itself.

Having seen the cove on TV many times and been told about it in school geography lessons (about 100 years ago), we were not disappointed with the views.

It was nice down at water level, but a bit busy tourists (they get everywhere), so we headed up the tracks to get a higher view.

From here, we could see down to Stair Hole and more interesting folding in the rock formations. In some places, the rocks have been folded and twisted so that the sedimentary layers are now vertical.

With arches and blow holes, it was a geologist's dream.

Soon after this photo was taken, it started to rain. So we headed back towards the car. Unfortunately, by the time we got back to the car park, it was pouring down and ankle-deep in water and we were absolutely soaked...
More tomorrow!