Colts and Dogs

This morning, Malcolm and I set out for a good walk along Slack Lane to Mapperley Village, then up and over Shipley Hill. We were delighted to see three Ravens as we approached the hill, indulging in some display flying and tumbling through the air as they left the woodland and flew off across the farmland. Too far away to be able to get a photo, they immediately reminded me of the medieval folk ballad 'The Three Ravens' first published in 1611. I love this version sung by Sarah Leonard which was used in Simon Schama's 'A History of Britain' on the BBC.

Leaving behind the ravens, we marched on and soon found a patch of bright yellow Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara).

These beautiful flowers open fully in sunshine, so this morning's dull conditions were not conducive to a good display, but they were nice to see even so. Used medicinally to treat coughs and chest conditions, they also contain some toxic chemicals known to cause liver problems.

A little further along, we found large numbers of Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis). Not as showy as the Coltsfoot, they are nonetheless among the first spring flowers to appear each year and help to 'green up' the woodland floor at this time off year.

A member of the Spurge family, their flowers are inconspicuous and they have been known to be poisonous for centuries. Only a few hours after eating them, drowsiness, vomiting and stomach cramps and kidney problems will develop and death has been known to occur (first reports of death from poisoning by Dog's Mercury date from about 1693).

So, enjoy the plant, but don't eat it!!!

Lonely as a Cloud

In complete contrast to yesterday's weather, this morning started dull and cloudy, but soon the sun broke through and by the time I set out for a walk, it was warming up nicely. With the sun shining on me, I set out for my walk through Shipley Park and up the hill. Among the trees on top of the hill, the Snowdrops are still blooming bravely.

Set against a backdrop of bare trees and blue sky, they looked beautiful. Turning the other way, the sun was filtering through the trees almost washing out all the colour.

The bare trees also means that any sunshine manages to get down to the derelict remains of the folly on Shipley Hill.

Famously, this round building was constructed so that Prince Bertie (later King Edward VII) would have somewhere discrete to indulge in his various sexual liaisons when visiting the Miller-Mundy family at Shipley Hall. Whatever the truth is, the remains now make a romantic ruin among the woodland, particularly when not shaded by summer tree-cover. The building was never complete, but built as a decorative, ruinous folly by the Miller-Mundy family.

Wandering 'lonely as a cloud' and making my way out of the trees, I took the lower route around the base of the hill. It was lovely to see a large mass of Daffodils nodding in the breeze and enjoying the sunshine.

Along these slopes, trees have been planted in memory of various people and small commemorative plaques are dotted about among the Daffodils too.

With the sun shining on them, this 'host of golden daffodils' were glorious to see.

Enough of this romanticism! Time to turn homeward and a hot cup of coffee.

Downhill

I woke up this morning with the sun shining around the blinds and our local Song Thrush singing his heart out. As it was looking so good, I thought a nice walk around Shipley Hill would be in order, but the best laid plans often go wrong and by the time I had finished breakfast, it was drizzling and rather nasty. So that put an end to my plans.
Instead, I thought I would post a couple of pictures from a our recent stroll through Pewit Carr.
After such a wet and rather stormy winter, one or two trees have succumbed to the wind, especially those which were suffering from disease.

This Willow was showing signs of rot in its heartwood making it weak and vulnerable.

All that dead wood will provide a haven for all sorts of wildlife, proving that even in the face of death, nature has a use for everything.

Foggy, Foggy Dew

Following a really foggy start to the day, things were beginning to improve a little by the time Malcolm and I set out for our morning constitutional. As we got to Mapperley Reservoir, the mist was still hanging over the water and we were amazed by the number of Black-headed Gulls, bobbing about on the surface.

Being something of a geek, I thought I would make a stab at counting them and I can confidently say that the photograph below contains more than 500 gulls.

Later, we passed Shipley Lake and there were at least as many gulls floating about there too. It must have been the fog which had forced the gulls out of the skies (it seemed to be having a similar effect on the planes at east Midlands Airport too).
On the way, we walked over Shipley Hill, taking in the Snowdrops in the mist. By now, the sun was beginning to break through the mist and filter through the trees onto the Snowdrops.

Banks of these flowers are still looking good in the woodland and the misty conditions gave things a somewhat ethereal feeling.

Lovely!

Marble Machine (music instrument using 2000 marbles)

Taking a break from my usual posts, I found this on YouTube the other day.
It has to be one of the most amazing machines ever invented and the chap who made it, a genius! Have a look.....

Daffs

A bitter wind kept us from getting too warm this morning despite the sunshine. But as we walked along Slack Lane towards Mapperley Village, the Gorse flowers were bright and cheerful and giving off a slight scent of coconut.

Onward past Mapperley Reservoir - still looking decidedly muddy - and up Shipley Hill to check on the Snowdrops and Daffodils. On the Southern slopes of the hill in the part which was known as 'Shoulder of Mutton Wood' in bygone days, the daffodils were looking pretty good.

Like last year, there seem to be a large number of plants without flower buds, but those that have flowers make up for those that don't.

 One more photo before we turn for home and a warming cup of coffee.

Drops

With the start of March, the weather has taken a turn for the worse and it has become wet and windy again (not to mention bitterly cold). So I thought we'd cheer things up a bit with a few more pictures of the wonderful Snowdrops on Shipley Hill.

You can never have enough of these lovely little flowers...

You can never have enough Cherry blossom either, so a couple more of the very early flowering tree on the site of the old hall.

The pink flowers seemed to be competing with the bare, red stems of a large Dogwood close by.

Much smaller, but no less beautiful  are the flowers of the Alder trees which are also starting to appear. The male flowers are far more obvious in form of catkins, dangling from the branches, but look closely and you will also see the diminutive, red female flowers too.

Lets hope the weather picks up a bit again in the next few days and we can once more get out and about in the sunshine.