Friday Five (or even Six): another local walk

I had to take the book I was reading on loan back to the library.  I couldn't renew it because it was on hold for other readers, but the walk in the park was still an opportunity for some fresh air and exercise. 

The mansion, now council offices and a library hub was built in the Adam style of architecture and opened in 1779 whereas the pavilion for the bowling green club based in the park was completed in 2006.

Sometimes I walk to the lake where there are coots, geese and ducks swimming around and now-and- again gulls that have flown inland away from a stormy coast, but I didn't go right down to the water on this occasion.  

Neither did I go in the walled garden that day as it's closed at certain times usually when the gardeners are busy working there.  However, there are plants in the formal flower beds to appreciate even in the Winter months ....

.... and the trees sustain different forms of wildlife.

A good surprise was this decorated pebble that had been left on a low stone pillar for another person to enjoy.  The lily-of the valley is my birthday flower so I felt I was meant to see it.  I photographed it and left it there for someone else to see.  Decorating pebbles or stones and leaving them for others to find is a lovely idea.

Thank you once more for coming by.  Have a good day!

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.

A neighbourhood walk

This magnificent silver birch caught my attention when I went for a walk in our neighbourhood last Sunday afternoon. It's growing and flourishing on land which, until recently, was the grounds of a small secondary school, but in the last year the buildings have been demolished except for the sports hall. The area is being developed as a community sports facility and now the trees can been seen and appreciated as part of the landscaping.

During the last year the demolition work has been an upheaval, but now there's an open area where the buildings stood and new tennis courts. Other spaces are planned which will benefit the community. The students have been moved to two other secondary schools, which has not been popular with all parents. However, the primary school has been retained.

Any bright colour is welcome during a week of mainly grey skies and the natural red trunk and branches of this tree and the Autumn leaves of the other against the blue and yellow paint of the sports hall stood out without any need to enhance the photo.

Walking is my way of getting some exercise and also relaxing. It hasn't been easy to find quiet times this week for various reasons, but even a short afternoon walk is always beneficial.

A woodland nature trail

Across the water from the Ladybower Reservoir Fairholmes Visitors' Centre and over the other side of the meadow from where we sat and had our picnic is a nature trail.  There's an easy route through the woodlands of mainly sycamore, rowan, oak and other deciduous trees. The original woodland of the valley was reduced by cutting and grazing. Now broad leaf species are being planted to replace some of the conifers that had been been introduced around the reservoirs to reduce soil erosion and these are being protected so that they can regenerate naturally from seed.

Some interesting sculptures and seats have been placed along the trail.  I hope you enjoyed the short walk in the woods.