A Very Wet Boris Walk

The endless merging of the hours and the days continue, like something JG Ballard talked about in his novel "The Drowned World" it sometimes feels like I've entered what he referred to as "Deep Time."

Today however I did know what day it was so that was an advance on the weekend. This was helped by the rain arriving for the first time in a while, and staying the whole day.

The Boris Walk today took me to the cemetery and around the two lakes; the cemetery absolutely full of flowers with the carpet of wild garlic in the ditch particularly striking. But the best thing was the surface of the lake was being patrolled by about 20 swallows and martins of some kind, skimming the water at high speed before slamming the brakes on in sharp turns in order to make another run.

So good to see, but I still haven't seen a swift yet!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 28.04.20

Wild Garlic is Out

Ventured further afield today, by lockdown standards, but please don't complain to the authorities as I was still staying local.

Yes, I went to the cemetery, having just paid a sort of socially distant visit to my stepfather that involved me talking to him from about 15 feet away for a few minutes. First conversation I have had in the flesh for weeks, it feels like.

So yes, in the damp ditch in the cemetery, the wild garlic is just coming into flower. Just being the operative word, only one of these slightly silky little blooms was open. But the big flat leaves were out, and as ever, the smell of the crushed leaves was sharply pungent..

No sign of any bluebells yet, native or otherwise. Mainly otherwise in this town, alas.

Next to the blue lake the mandarin drake was having a snooze and I was able to get really quite close to him. And blew the photo opp a bit. Oh dear.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 30.03.20

The Cemetery is Carpeted

It's becoming the most beautiful time of the year at the cemetery. The crocuses really have now carpeted the ground in purple and white blooms. Goosander and mandarin are on the lake.

My Tourettes has been savage this week, too many horrible things happening in the news and it absolutely causes my brain to fry sometimes.

Hopefully a calm weekend awaits.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 21.02.20

Unseasonal Appearances

Today I had a very long walk, as it is now I've moved, around Balderton Blue Lake.

To say I saw unexpected things was an understatement.

Walking through the cemetery, I could see lots of snowdrop shoots poking through the damp ground, but to find one in flower was mental - December 16th is easily the earliest date I've found one of those droopy little white fellows.

But it wasn't just that. I found primrose and white dead nettle flowering as well. It just seems crazy early to me.

Out on the water, I was also amazed to see a record number of goosander, 6 drakes and 6 ducks, which I've never seen before January before on the Blue Lake. The resident mandarin was also looking resplendent, and there was a kingfisher here too as there had been on the Devon yesterday.

There's a lot of life around for December, that's for sure.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 16.12.19

At Last Back Around the Blue Lake

Feeling a little bit more vigorous today, so took myself on the longer walk I've been promising myself (and you lot!). It started with a trip to the park for a cup of tea, where a helicopter circled overhead a few times, and then took me along the road to the back of the cemetery and hence on to the Blue Lake.

I can't think of when I last went around here, probably back in May when I was still at my old flat. Well, there's been a change or two.

They have out up a beautiful little illustrated board up at the southern end of the lake, showing the lake and the birds and plants that can be found there. The goosander who come every winter made it on, but not the tufted ducks that are permanent resident. Nor that rats, who were busy today, and also a coot with a bad foot.

A coot with a bad foot. It rhymes! Sort of.

There was a returning visitor in the form of the stunning mandarin drake who was around last winter, only he didn't want to get very close to the camera sadly.

Kids were feeding the waterfowl bread, which no-one seems to know whether you should be doing or not any more.

After the lake, I walked back into town through the cemetery, and finished off a three hour afternoon with a cup of tea in a board game cafe. Which was nice, but rather pointless as I had no-one to play any with.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 20.10.19

Back out for a Gentle Run

Fed up of feeling rather fat and bloated and energy-less, and as previously reported feeling a bit less discomfort in my feet, I thought a gentle run would be in order today.

I'd only intended to go for two or three kilometres to try and get my heart going, but despite the fact I felt pretty unfit and tight chested, I found I was able to run at a good pace. I was also running largely pain free too.

I ended up doing the full tour of the two lakes, just under 7km in 45 minutes. Some sub 6 minute kilometres in there. Pleasing, but I must be careful not to overdo it.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 22.03.19