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...

Christmas

I've been rather neglectful of this blog for some time now, so to make up for my laziness, here are a few pictures of recent walks. Starting with this morning's stroll around Straw's Bridge. It was very chilly as we set out and there were the usual Christmas Eve walkers and cyclists to contend with, but the sunshine on the frost, made it all worth while.

After all the rain yesterday, it was very wet under foot, but we avoided the mud and enjoyed the seasonal stroll.

Where the path splits, taking one route out towards Kirk Hallam, the sun was filtering through the trees making a beautiful picture.

At 'Swan Lake', all the usual suspects were there, patiently awaiting the arrival of some festive cheer in the form of a bread bag. Black-headed Gulls aplenty...

and the geese were looking shifty, especially as Malcolm kept mentioning roast potatoes done in goose fat. Don't worry lads, he didn't mean it!

We've only had a few frosty walks so far this winter, these pictures were from a couple of weeks ago. Again, the bright blue sky and weak wintry sunshine made a lovely scene.

Looking out across the fields from Shipley Hill, all looked very festive.

A few days later and these horses seemed oblivious to the cold as they gently steamed in the early morning sun.

Well, that's it for today. It only remains for me to wish a very Merry Christmas to all who deserve it.

Birthday Boy

It has been some time since my last post, but I couldn't let today go by without mentioning a certain someones birthday. Yes, it's Malcolm's big day - how quickly they come around. So, to celebrate, we had a trip out for some retail therapy and a fish-n-chip lunch.
Unusually for this autumn, the weather was bright and sunny, so we opted for Buxton. We went during the heatwave earlier in the year so things were quite a lot cooler today.

It is always a pleasure strolling around the park in Buxton (are we getting old do you think?) and this time we were not trying to find shelter from the sun as we were back in July. The ducks seemed quite comfortable with the colder conditions too.

Having enjoyed the Pavilion gardens and the park, we headed back towards town, still under blue skies and sunshine...

Up and over the mound, giving us some good views of the Crescent (still undergoing major refurbishment).

Then it was off to do a little shopping and then to get Malcolm's favourite - Fish and Chips with mushy peas. We certainly know how to have fun!
So all that remains to be said is... Happy Birthday Malcolm and here's to many, many more to come.

Autumn Wanderings

We have had some wonderful Autumn walks over the last few days, some in the sunshine, others in the early-morning mist. When the sun has shone, we have been treated to some great views of Autumnal colour. Looking straight up through the trees, almost always rewards and compensates for the inevitable crick in the neck!

When the mist has hung on until a little later in the day, we've had some rather spooky views through the trees, especially here, on Shipley Hill.

Out in the fields, the Highland Cattle are unaffected by the chill in the air.

And the Fungi continue to punctuate the countryside with their rather handsome 'toadstools'.

At Straw's Bridge a few days ago, the sun was still glinting off the water - although it's getting a lot lower in the sky.

This morning, we were once again, strolling around Shipley Hill, taking in the delightful Autumn Colours.

Glorious - and it'll soon be Christmas..!

A Decade in an Instant

I can hardly believe that it was ten years ago today, that I started this blog. TEN YEARS! Where did that go?

It all started simply in October 2008, noting - as I am still doing - the delightful Autumn colours.

A year later, we were enjoying the sight of a the world's biggest aircraft as it made a rare visit to East Midlands Airport. The Antonov 225 is a beast of a plane, built to carry the ill-fated Russian Space Shuttle on its back, but now used for large-scale transport.

By 2010, it was back to the Autumn colours once more. This stunning Azalea, was (and still is) the centre of attraction on Shipley Hill.

At this time in 2011, we were just back from a trip to the Algarve and I was waxing lyrical about the colourful flowers, particularly these Oleanders...

2012 saw us 'reflecting' on the scene of tranquillity on the lakes of Straw's Bridge.

And by 2013, the Highland cattle had become well established as a part of the scenery...

On to 2014 and cattle were still on the itinerary, but not Highlands this time...

By 2015 I was back to featuring the Autumn colours, this time in 'High Dynamic Range' (all very fancy).

Two years ago, my attention had turned to this spectacular Beech Tree which stands sentinel over the southern slopes of Shipley Hill and always provides good value at any time of year...

And in 2017, we were looking up!

What will the next ten years have in store for us? Who can say? But I bet it will be both colourful and interesting, with a few surprises along the way.

Cold Start

Out and about again this morning, it was decidedly chilly, so I dug out the woolly hats for the first time this season. Despite the chill, it was a glorious morning to be out. Climbing Shipley Hill, the sunshine was filtering through the ever-thinning leaves.

By the side of Nottingham Lodge, there is a small Acer which is giving some fabulous autumn colour.

It always needs a closer look as we pass it.

From the hill, it was down towards Osborne's Pond, looking over to some more Autumn colour on Cinder Hill.

Further on and the reflections on Osborne's Pond were well worth it.

We were not the only ones enjoying the view - this Black-headed Gull was taking it all in too.

All too soon, we turned for home and a nice, warming cup of coffee.....

Bright

Blue skies and bright sunshine this morning, so it was a delight to get out and about and see some of the fabulous Autumn colour. Starting on the Nutbrook trail.

These Cherry trees are beautiful when in flower and no less attractive at this time of year, although, judging by the way the leaves were falling, it will not last long.

A little further on and the sun was slanting through the trees at 'Graffiti Bridge'.

Gave it an ethereal appearance.

Under the Birches, Fly Agarics are displaying their particular autumn colours. This was a particularly big one and not as red as usual.

The Spindles, Guelder-rose and Buckthorns at Straw's Bridge were good value too...

and across Pewit Carr, all was looking bright and cheerful - except for the small flock of Black-headed Gulls fighting among themselves.