A Local Walk

We're experiencing warm, sunny weather at the moment so I took advantage of it and took a walk on Saturday afternoon while Mr P was resting after a morning of gardening.  I've come to appreciate the trails that I can walk not far from home even if most of them are at the top end of our hilly village. Further out from this village in the north-west of the city we have open countryside and the many reservoirs managed by Yorkshire Water called "The Lakeland Loop".

The area is crisscrossed by old routes once used by packhorses and other horse-drawn carriers.  These trails were important to the local economy and are now used as a leisure resource.  Heritage Highways have created a number of walks, horse rides and bike routes to help local people explore the rich history of the area.  The British Horse Society has sponsored the research needed to train up volunteers so that the trails and bridleways are well maintained and sign posted.

Below are some of the photos I took on Saturday's walk not far from home.  The trees are back to life in full leaf now and there are many wild flowers to be enjoyed along the way (even in the new park at the top of our road where the grass has been left long and many species of wild flowers were planted last year along the edge of the playground).

 English bluebells are still blooming in shady places. 

It was a joy to hear the birds singing and capture this little sparrow pecking the ground for insects among the fallen new leaves.

Back near home I was pleased to see the wisteria flowers that droop down so prettily.   Back in our own garden the neighbour's hawthorn tree that gives shelter to garden birds in the Spring and Summer months and berries to feed on in the Autumn and Winter was looking beautiful against the clear blue sky.

Thank you for coming by.  I hope you have a pleasant week whatever you're doing. 

In Search of Snowdrops

My intension to get out for more walks this new year has been thwarted by a bitterly cold wind and snow showers, but yesterday I decided to go for a walk in our local park which has been part of my regular routine for many years.  The walled garden always draws me during the hours when it's open to visitors and I thought it would be possible to see new growth in such a sheltered environment.

It was a day when the volunteer gardeners were at work in their respective areas.  I asked one of them if there were snowdrops to be seen.  She directed me to the woodland just beyond the walled garden,

but before I walked that way I stood to admire the corkscrew hazel tree.  The catkins had formed since last time I'd visited and soon they'll be full of yellow pollen.

In the Stumpery and Woodland I did indeed find a few clumps of snowdrops.  The local children's artwork had survived and had not been taken down.  

There were winter-flowering bushes which added a little colour and the daffodils will start to flower in a week or two.   

It's good to see blue skies, squirrels up to their antics as they scamper about and berries still on bushes that the birds will welcome.

There were books to collect from the library that had been reserved before the holiday period.  I've been waiting a long time for one or two of them although I'm finding it difficult to read now and have to rest my eyes frequently.  I'm sure I shall enjoy them and I don't have to return them for several weeks.

Back home the plants are coming on nicely tucked up in the covered yard. Mr P's seedlings are on window sills in the kitchen and the living room.  There'll be hyacinths to enjoy later on too and buds are appearing on the cactus in the hanging basket.

 

Frosty mornings, snow flurries and icy conditions on the roads are to be expected.  I think of everyone having to get to work in such weather conditions.  

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Take care everyone.

Recent days

This was the scene from our bedroom window earlier this morning.  It was still dark except for the street light in the lane reflecting onto the trunk of a lime tree and the glowing yellowy/red of the rising sun in the sky. 

 

The neighbourhood trees have now lost their leaves, but there's plenty of colour still in the garden.

 

It was time for some more baking and last week it was another chocolate cake and a small meat and potato pie for an evening meal.  As usual half of the cake gets given to our local daughter when she calls during the weekend with the shopping.  However, I've decided to do some online shopping now and again for the times when she or our granddaughter cannot come by with some shopping. 

The tomato plants have been cleared from the covered yard although there are still a few tomatoes still ripening indoors in the kitchen.  It's amazing to still have a few fresh tomatoes for cooking.  The citrus trees and pot plants have been brought indoors and Mr P continues to grow some onions and other vegetables. 

I've managed to get out for regular walks mainly in the local park and we've driven over to the next village of Bradfield, stopped and I did some walking in the lower area by Agden Brook.  I'll share some of my walking experiences next time. 

Finally, a touch of festive cheer was added to the front living room when our granddaughter came by and brought us a small Christmas tree which was then placed in the front window.  We don't put out the decorations until nearer to Christmas, but we appreciated the thoughtful gift.  I shall be thinking about making an Advent wreath and on Sunday I shall get out the Advent calendar that I recycle and use every year.

It's a while since I posted a blog, but I've been looking at yours when I can and always appreciate the comments you leave.  For those who had Thanksgiving I hope you had a good day.  Regards and all the best to everyone wherever you are as we journey into December.