We left our gardening today and went across the city to collect a wine kit grape juice we had ordered and then we had a detour so that I could have a walk in Ecclesall Woods. There was a queue outside the shop but after explaining that I had come to collect this item those waiting were happy for me to go before them. Soon (from 24th July) it'll be mandatory in England to wear a face covering for shopping. I've rarely had to do any shopping although recently I've already got used to wearing a face covering since I've got several cloth ones and used a surgical one at the hospital. I quite enjoyed having a social distance friendly conversation with the two people who were waiting in the queue. Mr P had parked around the corner and stayed in the car as usual. It was also a change to look in shop windows in this quiet road where there are individually owned boutique-type premises.
the flower shop
A dress shop and a beauticians - sorry about the reflections, but you can also see the shops and houses opposite. All these small businesses look as if they're getting ready to welcome customers again. It must be particularly hard for a small business. The national branded shops are also bracing themselves for a hard time economically.
On our drive out I noticed that a sign writer was working on a new name for a local corner shop. There has been a lot of activity and changes to what is being sold there. It's a typical corner store where it's convenient to just pop along to get your bread or milk, newspaper and all sorts of small items for daily living. From what I can see from the makeover it might have become a greengrocers. I shall have to investigate sometime although it's not really an area where I walk these days.
There were some pretty gardens in the high street where we went to get the wine kit. Across the road
is the primary school for the area with it's distinctive small clock tower on the roof.
The walking trails in Ecclesall Woods are not far away.
This time of the year the ferns are growing high whilst the ground is covered in different kinds of vegetation, brambles and fallen tree branches and tree trunks that are deliberately left to give shelter to all sorts of wildlife.
I wonder who lives in this hole in an oak tree?
I walked to Collier's Pond. There was a lot of green weed on the surface of the water which I'm sure will get sorted out in due course. The fencing that's made by weaving branches along the upright posts need attention in places. The dappled light in the woods and on the water made the place seem magical.
I didn't stay long, but it was just long enough to appreciate these quiet, ancient woods that have been preserved in our city for all to enjoy. There's easy parking along the wide road, plenty of entrance points and the Woodland Discovery Centre close by.
Thank you for visiting. Now back to some more gardening which I'll share about another time.