Yesterday I really did feel the need to escape for a while so D and I did the mile circular walk not far from home which we have done many times before and I am sure some of you will remember. It was good to spend an hour in the countryside when for the first time in two weeks I actually forgot all my worries and anxiety and just lived in the moment.
Apologies in advance if some of the photos are a bit rubbish - it was windy making it difficult to take flowers aand on top of that I stupidly didn't wear my wellies so didn't venture much onto the grass verges.
Lesser Celandine could be seen everywhere
and there were several patches of Dog's Mercury also in flower.
Luckily there was now no sign of a flooded road.
White Dead Nettle and
Blackthorn in flower.
Dandelion flowers are appearing now.
This is one of my favourite cottages with a rather charming gate in the hedge.
Record shots (to put it mildly) of a Red Legged Partridge and Pheasant running along the roadside in front of us.
A flock of dozens of Fieldfares descended in a tree in front of us silhouetted against the sky. i.e. a rubbish picture!
A species of Wild Strawberry - last time I guessed the exact species I got it wrong. I am sure Stray Rambler gave me the correct species but unfortunately I can't find the post to check.
Wild Arum leaves
I hope you are all well and staying safe. I don't know about everyone else but I find I am hardly sleeping - waking up hours earlier than usual and just lying there. I am going to try and make myself wander round the garden each day.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera
It does lift the spirits to get out and about for a walk in the sunshine even if it is on familiar paths. Your photos are lovely - I don't think I've ever seen a Red Legged Partridge other than in photos, they are very fine looking birds, pheasants too. I find I'm waking either at 2a.m. or 4a.m. most nights as my thoughts go into overdrive. Take care and stay safe:)
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you are able to get out. I had planned to, but we are swarming here with visitors who have failed to heed the government guidelines on travel. No social distancing here, for sure.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you got out Caroline and thanks for sharing your walk with us. Lovely to see a host of various species emerging now.
ReplyDeleteRosie - Thank you. We once had a Red Legged Partridge in the garden! Rather a red letter day! Once I have woken up whatever time I can't get back to sleep so am thinking of you. Take care and stay safe too.
ReplyDeleteRustic Pumpkin - Thank you. So sorry to hear about your hordes of visitors - why are people so thoughtless and selfish? We did see more people than usual walking round those lanes but mainly dog walkers who kept their distance. Usually you do the walk and see no-one!
Punk Birder - Thanks so much Dean. It was so good to get out for a few hours and see some wild flowers :)
ReplyDeleteA lovely walk and to have it close to home too is perfect and much needed right now! Nice to see the Partridge, I haven't spotted one yet this year. I'm with you on the not sleeping :/
ReplyDeletePam - Thanks. Sadly, it is a short drive away so don't think I can go there at the moment :( I think there is a lot of debate as to whether you can drive somewhere local to exercise - have certainly seen one conversation on Twitter - so won't risk it atm.
ReplyDeleteStill not sleeping here either which doesn't help one's sense of well being :( You have my synpathies.
A lovely walk on a lovely sunny day :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait until I can go out for a proper walk again.
CherryPie - Thank you. I can't wait to get out either - can't even walk round the garden atm as I slipped off front door step yesterday, twisted my foot and landed on it as I fell and now it is all swollen :(
ReplyDeleteI so sorry to hear about your foot. I hope you recover soon.
ReplyDeleteTake care xx
CherryPie - Thank you - it is slowly getting better but very frustrating! Take care too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely walk to have near you, RR. I have been in self-isolation and confined to house and garden for days on account of immuno-suppressing meds. so it's particularly lovely to see the variety of spring plants you managed to find. I escape to the garden at least once a day to see what's about. There seem to be quite a few bees, which is encouraging, but so far (in this chilly airstream) only two butterflies, both Peacocks.
ReplyDeleteCaroline Gill - Thank you - unfortunately the walk isn't close enough to do now. Just glad we did it when we did. So sorry to hear about your medication and I do hope you stay safe and well. I've not been out now for over a week as I suffer with asthma :( Fortunately, my son has been working from home for 2 weeks (he does mainly anyway) and my daughter is on paid leave for at least 3 weeks so we have all self isolated although OH does go for a walk every day. Seeing bees here too - rescued a comatose one yesterday and gave it sugar water! I've seen two butterflies here too - both in the garden - Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.
ReplyDeleteTake care and look after yourselves.
Thank goodness you were able to have that last walk, sorry to hear about your foot though, has it improved yet?
ReplyDeleteThe weather here has improved enormously in the last couple of days so I am feeling more hopeful now. Remember, all this will pass!
Toffeeapple - Lovely to hear from you and thank you. I am SO glad we went on that walk! Foot, thank you, is slowly improving but still a bit swollen and bruised. Trying to keep off it as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteIt has been lovely here most days recently although it has gone colder. The sunshine is cheering and brings out the insects. I keep telling myself all this will eventually pass. I just try and live for each day as it arrives and not be too anxious - although difficult. Hope you are ok - stay safe and well and take care.
John Scurr - Thanks so much John - no need to apologise and it is just lovely to hear from you. I miss your blog but understand - I shall probably just do a post about once a week now we can't go out anywhere!
ReplyDeleteThanks re: the Barren Strawberry - I think I saw a photo on Twitter too and your id from last time came back to me :)
Stay safe and well and take care and pleased you are still tweeting :)