October Visit to Herefordshire - Part 1 : Hatfield, Walk, Monkland Cheese Dairy

 

Last week we finally managed to get back to the caravan for four nights and D came with us which was great as it gave me the motivation to go out with him and enjoy his company.

There are definite signs of autumn tints appearing now in the leaves on the Herefordshire Oak.

The Octopus Tree

The Constable Tree(s)

The perennial wallflower is still flowering as is the rose in a pot.

This is the view from the lounge which we will lose should the proposed development be given permission and go ahead.

D went a walk to the Hen House one morning to buy some eggs and was lucky enough to see a Red Kite. I haven't seen one there for ages so it is good news they are still around.

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We arrived on the Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday D and I went to Monkland Cheese Dairy to stock up on some of their delicious cheeses.

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These were the purchases and in the box is a slice of their delicious Herefordshire Apple cake.  We do have a book of Monkland Dairy Recipes and the apple cake recipe is in there so one day I will try making one at home.

On the way back we stopped off at Morrisons to do a small food shop and D took some photos of leaves and berries in the car park.

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Mistletoe growing on a tree by B and Q and a house decorated for Hallowe'en.

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A view of the lane as we drove back and were nearing Hatfield. The lanes there are very narrow and I spend most of my time praying I won't meet a tractor coming the other way!

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I did use the bat detector most nights but I wasn't picking up any bats and we didn't see any. The house martins have departed for the winter although I did see a few on our last visit.

On the Thursday D and I went to a pumpkin farm and then we visited a new church which I will write about in the next few posts.

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 and those marked *D were taken by my son with the Canon SX50HS. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or one of my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks ).

A Brief Trip to Berkswell

 

A few days ago D gave B a lift to the pub at Balsall Common to meet friends for lunch then he and I went to Berkswell for lunch.

Berkswell is my favourite local village and full of interest and history.

A plant for us to id for the 2026 Wild Plant Challenge.  Many thanks to my friend Kirsty who has id'd this plant as Bristly Oxtongue - another new species for the list. We have now seen 109 species.

The Bear - my favourite local pub

Blackberries, Ivy flowers and Hawthorn berries in the hedgerow although there were no pollinators on the ivy probably due to the rain.

The Nook - a fairly new tearoom in the village and recently refurbished - where we had lunch.

As well as serving food and drinks the Nook also holds various craft workshops.  

We had a toasted cheese sandwich consisting of several types of cheese and  chutney for lunch. I managed to resist the cakes!

I did plan to visit Berkswell churchyard after to look for waxcaps as Plantlife is asking people to do a Waxcap survey in places like churchyards. But sadly when we left the tearoom the rain had only just stopped and as I didn't have my wellies with me I decided the grass would be too wet.  Hopefully we can return.

Instead we drove back to Balsall Common and had a look around Oakes Farm Shop before picking up B at the pub.  D bought some Isle of Wight garlic so that he can plant the cloves and grow new bulbs over the winter for next year.

We have still not had chance, for various reasons, to return to Herefordshire.  The planning application decision is not due until early next month but we also have other concerns about the caravan for sale next to us so in some ways I am dreading going back.

All photos taken by me or D with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would appreciate an email first - thanks).

A Walk Along the Grand Union Canal

 

D and I haven't been on a canal walk for ages and, as it is something we love doing, earlier this week we visited the Grand Union Canal near Knowle.  We haven't done this particular canal walk before.

There were ripe berries everywhere along the hedgerow at the side of the tow path - blackberries, haws, sloes and rose hips.

Ivy was covered in flowers.  We saw pollinators galore and the one species I was particularly thrilled to see

was Ivy Bee.  This is a new species for me and there were dozens of them on the flowers.

The Ivy Bee is a relatively new arrival in the UK having first been seen in 2001 and it is gradually spreading North.  It feeds mainly on ivy nectar and can be seen at this time of year ie September to November.

There were a lot canal boats moored along the canal.

Good to see a solar panel on this boat :)

Heronfield Small Breeds farm and animal sanctuary is next to the canal and D got this photo of a Shetland Pony.

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Damselfly

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Speckled Wood

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Dragonfly

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We walked for an hour or more and then had lunch at the King's Arms which is conveniently situated next to the canal.

We both had the same an open sandwich of avocado and goat's cheese with fries.  The sandwich on toasted bread also included pesto, pine nuts and sun dried tomatoes. It was delicious.

It was so good to get out for a walk in the country. I am hoping we can return to the caravan soon.

I won't say too much about events at the caravan park but a planning application has been submitted to place 21 new caravans on the field opposite our caravan which means we will lose the lovely view we currently have from the lounge window.  There are many things that concern us about the proposed development but as this is a public blog I won't say any more apart from the fact that I am not happy!!!

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 camera and those marked *D taken by my son with the Canon SX50HS.  (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks.