Looking Back - part 2

April saw Malcolm and I returning from a few days in the Lake District, where we'd had some nice walks along the Lancaster Canal...

and paid our respects to Malcolm's late father, on Orrest Head.

We enjoyed the views as we walked along lake Windermere...

and the all the spectacle of Aira Force.

Crossing the border, we also took in some of the delights of the coast around Dumfries and Galloway.

Our return journey, was made even more scenic, by a late fall of snow the night before (a sustaining Cortado was needed to keep out the chill.)

Things soon turned more Spring-like and the insects were buzzing...

and the Bluebells were ringing!

By May, we were enjoying some lovely weather and some long walks in the sunshine.

Everything was bursting into flower...

and the Azaleas on Shipley Hill were looking fabulous.

Not forgetting our neighbourly, bunny-sitting duties, selecting some choice leaves for their lunch.

June, saw the lakes around Straw's Bridge, Mapperley and Osborne's Pond, alive with ducklings and proud mothers.

The Common Terns at Straw's Bridge, were busy looking after their chicks...

and the Peacock at Mapperley, was master of all he surveyed.

Whilst this cheeky little Tufted Duck, kept a close eye on us!

Our back garden was filled with the scent of Palm flowers and the buzzing of bees enjoying their nectar.

Of course, June is always Bee Orchid time.

June, also found us exploring the delights of the South Coast. Particularly, the charming little town of Rye

Being great fans of the original C4 series of E. F. Benson's Mapp and Lucia, we had fun spotting all the filming locations.

 and the weather was perfect!

We were not so lucky with the weather when we visited Durdle Dor...

 

 and Lulworth Cove

 But even allowing for the downpours, we had a lovely few days there too.

Stick around, for part three tomorrow.

Looking Back - part 1

Well, it's that time of year again, when we take a short but rapid dash though the past year and look forward to a new one.
The year started predictably enough, with January and a welcome bit of sunshine to see the new year in. We had seasonal birds in the garden...

 some exotic-looking Mandarins...

 and a Great-crested Grebe in winter plumage to start things off.

It has become something of a habit for us to get away for a few days in January and this year, we went to Torquay. The winter weather in the UK can be a little hit-and-miss to say the least, but we struck lucky this year. Things were blooming...

 and this gorgeous Buzzard simply stole the show as it posed in the sunshine.

 It certainly didn't look like England in the depths of winter.

 Malcolm even shed a layer for his selfies!

 Back home again and the clear skies at night,

 meant we had some bitterly cold mornings.

It was still cold as January gave way to February...

 but soon, the Hazel trees were showing signs of warmer things to come.

 The garden birds were looking bright and colourful in anticipation of a busy breeding season...

 and the Snowdrops were putting on a show.

 A few winter wildfowl were still  to be found, like this rather fabulous Gadwall.

 Even the White Park Cattle were happy as they soaked up some early morning, golden sunlight.

 This Black-headed Gull, had jumped the gun somewhat, by getting into his full breeding plumage...

while on Mapperley Reservoir, we were treated to the sight of a large flock of (mostly female) Goosanders.

 Everything was in a hurry to start flowering, from these pretty little Coltsfoot...

 to the wonderfully coconut-scented Gorse.

 A visit to Attenborough Reserve provided us with some fine - but distant - views of a Little Egret.

More tomorrow, as I continue marching through the year's highlights.

Dull, Dull, Dull

The only word to describe the weather this morning, is 'dull'. It was foggy and damp and the cold got through to the bone, but we were not gong to be put off, so we doggedly set off for Osborne's Pond. On the way, we passed these Highland Cattle.

They've not been in this field for long, but they seem to have already made a startlingly fine job of turning it into a muddy wallow. This morning though, as one of them peered at us through the fog, they were only interested in their nice fresh hay.

Further along and we passed a small stretch of water, which marks where the old colliery railway lines used to run past Hogg's Pond. There is usually a footpath alongside the water, but not today. It was all very flooded down there in the gloom...

On to Osborne's Pond, where the mist made everything rather moody and peaceful - until the Coots started arguing amongst themselves.

Two Mute Swans came to see if we had anything to eat...

Floating about among the Mallards and Coots, was a lone Muscovy Duck.

His bright bill and legs were certainly the brightest splashes of colour we saw this morning.

Time to head for home and some warming coffee.

Odds and Ends

As we're stuck in again this morning because of yet more rain, it gives me the chance to post a few odds and ends from the past few weeks. Starting with the most obvious effect of all that rain, the brook, which is still pretty full (and rather muddy-looking).

We seem to have had all forms of weather lately (no snow yet sadly) and a few days ago, fog was the main theme as we looked out across the countryside.

As the fog sat in the lower areas, we had a great perspective from the viewing platform kindly supplied by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Fog is often accompanied by frost, and we've a had a bit of that too, on the few clear, sunny days we've had.

Hoar frost, clinging to the dead remnants of grasses, always looks good.

Quite seasonal!

Among the bare branches of winter, some colour is provided by the wonderful array if lichens which can be found, if you look closely.

Just one more for today and it's a panorama of 'Swan Lake' at Straw's Bridge. Not much in the way of winter wildfowl on this one, but there's still plenty of time for that - if the rain ever stops!

Last of the Algarve

Just a few last pictures today, of of our short trip and as usual, we got plenty of long walks while we were there. The dunes have been protected from walkers' feet, by the construction of wooden walkways and one of our favourite walks was along to the lighthouse at the mouth of the harbour.

Near the end, the wooden walkway, gives way to a granite causeway, forming two sides of the channel into and out of the estuary and harbour.

Plenty of places to stop, to check in to your social media..!

AT the end, was this small and rather rusty lighthouse.

At low tide, the estuary was reduced to a few small water channels.

We had some nice views across the sand...

and across the dunes.

Walking from the hotel in the opposite direction, all was cliffs, which looked beautiful in the sun...

and came in all sorts of shapes.

Back at the hotel, we were a big hit with the local Azure-winged Magpies - or at least our Pastéis de nata were!

So that's about it. Time to head home again and get started on Christmas..!