Ramblings

02 April 2014

In a sheltered valley not far from home nature is working its magic quickly, more quickly than at home.  It was alive with birds singing their hearts out and despite the lack of leaves still really difficult to see.  We did spot a few, Robin, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Grey Wagtail and Blackbirds.  The cyclists were out...



As were the leaves on the Hawthorn or May.  These are delicious in a salad when they are this lovely paler green. Ne'er cast a clout till May be out, don't forget to take your warm clothing with you until the May is in flower, was true we started off in t-shirts but were glad of a fleece and body warmer when the sun had gone.


The always wonderful Pussy Willow, the furry catkin of the Willow and Sallow trees, were a delight to see.  These always remind me of my childhood Easter as they were used as decorations instead of palm which doesn't grow in the UK.


The delicate remains of last year juxtaposed with a hint of growth for this.


Several reminders of what this land once was in years long past a level crossing gate, elegant and rusty,


a distance marker,


and a dripping tunnel which had a great echo!


When gorse is out of flower, kissing is out of fashion, so they say.  As gorse is usually in flower somewhere........sadly there was no one for me to kiss except a passing stranger.


The black tips of the ash tree, an easier one to identify in the winter and early Spring when there are no leaves on the tree.


The dogs mercury was pushing up its head everywhere.  A highly efficient plant spreading its rhizomes at up to a metre a year!  It's poisonous though, so don't be tempted to forage the leaves for your spring salads.


A trace of a visitor, we thought perhaps a fox?

There were lots of visible visitors out enjoying the warmth and the quiet of this valley.  I was on foot whilst the children rode their bikes so I was able to really absorb the tranquility, stopping to look and listen every now and again.  I was spooked by several others coming up behind me so lost I was in the magic of this place.  To quote a lovely comment on a previous post, a walk in nature is one of the most affordable luxuries this world had to offer.

8 comments:

  1. Our walks are similar but you have more spring sprouting going on than me! Lovely views and I'm anticipating some blossoms soon!

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  2. Thanks for taking us along on your walk. It looks so peaceful. I love the gate and your description...elegant and rusty. Looks like a perfect place.

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  3. i LOVE pussy willows....even more after mine died last year. (isn't that always the way....you want what you no longer have!) spring is really creeping in!

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  4. It's so wonderful to see the beauty of nature in your part of the world! I especially love your picture of last year juxtaposed with this year...Thanks for sharing. Aloha, Lori

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  5. What a lovely walk with so many lovely things to see, that tunnel is pretty amazing, a very unusual shape indeed! xx

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  6. It is so neat for me to see what spring looks like in a different country. Similar in some ways, different in others. Wish I could have joined you on your little ramble in the valley :)
    p.s. love the tote buckets in your previous posts... dangerously inspiring!

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  7. What a beautiful spot. Wonderful photos, especially the one of the gate. I can understand why you were lost in a reverie, at this time of year there is so much life bursting forth everywhere. I love the comment about the affordable luxury as well. A walk in the countryside always improves my mood, without fail.

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  8. What a beautiful place to be out and about. I just love those trees curling over the road in the top picture, like a storybook :)

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