Running to Hawton Church

Thought I'd bring you a bit of proper old history today, utilising a route that takes in some of Newark's Civil War History too.

Indeed I ran one of my usual routes, across the Grange Road fields, but halfway along took the left turn that leads to the Middle Beck.

It was proper cross country running today, lots of mud. A little egret looked at me from a distance, wondering who this other stupid wader was. I decided to avoid his contempt by taking the right turn along the Beck.

The Middle Beck actually marks the boundary of the Civil War encampment that General Poyntz and his Roundhead chums set up at Hawton Village, about two kilometres from the Queen's Sconce away to the North where Royalist cannons were situated. Within the fortification the church of All Saints would have already been standing, built as it was in the 13th-14th centuries.

The grounds were enchanting, for the simple reason that the grass was so soft and springy, it was almost like a bog but without the wetness. It was delightful, it really was. On inspection, this seemed to be because it was full of a sort of green lichen of some description. In turn the gravestones, some of them so old as to be illegible, were a home for other lichens of various shades from coppery green to a rusty orange.

The whole thing reminded me of the cover from REM's classic "Murmur" album that Guy Garvey was joy of joys playing on his 6 Music show at that very moment.

The church itself is famous for is carvings, from the gargoyles on the tower to the sculptures of two very royal and Plantagenet looking characters on either side of the porch. Looks too kingly to be the local landowning worthy - wonder if its Henry IV?

I ended up doing 8.5km in the end, a decent little run indeed!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.01.17

The House at Valerian Corner

Like the poppy field now sadly fading, I'm sure the house at Valerian Corner was brighter last year.

Where is Valerian Corner? It's on my running routes that go through Farndon Village, a modern house with an old outbuilding with a cat weathervane upon it. In summer, the verge outside it burns with red valerian, attracting bees and on one memorable day, a hummingbird hawk moth.

Normally when I pass it, it means I'm on the way back into town after a long country run, so it is a welcome sight. A beautiful one at this time of year.

Usually when I pass it, Rumbles Cafe and a cup of tea is about 15 minutes away!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 28.06.16

The Hummingbird in the Valerian

This magnificent beast deserves a post all to itself...

I was running through Hawton village, and came to what I think of as the house on bumblebee corner, where earlier in the year a lungwort brought in the bees for me to photograph ineptly. Now the lungwort is gone, and the house instead is a riot of deep red valerian . I was hoping to see something there, but was not prepared for what I did see.

Looking uncannily a winged house mouse, a wonderful hummingbird hawk moth was working the flower heads for nectar, its tongue fully outstretched and longer than the moth's body! It's furry body is marked with a prominent "face" and "eyes" at the end of the abdomen, probably to fool potential predators it is looking at them while it is feeding and vulnerable.

For it does indeed fly like a humming bird, wings blurring under bright sun, hovering before flowers while that incredible tongue is deployed to feed - apparently red valerian is one of its favoured food plants. It was so tame, it was crazy. I watched it at close range for at least ten minutes, spoiling my run time, but making up for it with this stunning encounter.

It really is a special creature. My first one, and I was thrilled.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 09.07.15

Butterflies on the Run

It was a grim day yesterday, but today for my first day off the sun was out, and I headed out along the owl road, loving seeing all the butterflies I'd missed in the spring. Lots of ringlets and meadow browns are out along the cycle path, and wherever there are thistles, there are small skipper butterflies making the most of that sweet Scottish nectar!

However, they weren't the only flutterers enjoying a good drink today...

Bonus new friend walking home last night

Back to today, and rosebay willow herb seems to be in flower

Sadly the glorious poppies have faded away

A vetch type flower out on the cycle path

Small skipper, sadly not best focus

Small skipper on thistle

Soldier beetle love.

Small tortoiseshell

Beautiful colours, a beautiful show

Plenty of them now up

Bohemian cuckoo gets in on the act

Skulking meadow brown

Large white

Pretty tiny flowers at Devon Pasture