Forget Yesterday Today was Wild!

I said it was windy yesterday, but at least it was dry...

When I went walking at 2pm this afternoon, it was indeed dry, but that was not to last long. Crafty Green Poet reckoned today would be an overtrousers day, and she really wasn't wrong. I was walking  through the cemetery as a pall of grey cloud came scudding over, and had to make a slightly bizarre diversion into the sports centre reception in order to slip on the deeply unsexual overtrousers.

Felt very awkward. But I can't put trousers on standing up.

Had to be done though. The rain began to get heavy straight away, and by the time I got onto the path through the farm fields at the back of Grange Road, it had got really squally and I could barely hear this afternoon's Radio 4 play about post-traumatic air traffic controllers over the wind.

It did stop raining, at which point I started to feel rather sweaty and skanky, and was glad to get home after a couple of hours and jump in the bath for a few months.

Didn't go on my exercise bike. Body just kept saying no.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 08.02.19

Out on the Wildflower Walks

It's been a battleship grey afternoon again, the sort of one where I take myself out plantar fascitis or not. because I didn't get outside much last weekend with having the landlords visit and tomorrow will be RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

Hopefully it will be better than last year's where I barely even saw a sparrow.

There are more snowdrops on the ground in the cemetery, and a few crocuses have decided to sprout and open up for business too, although there's no buzzing customers yet and nor will there be for a month I reckon when the first brave honeybees make an appearance.

No goosander at the lake, but a little egret was in the usual spot where the lagoon is divided from the main Blue Lake.

I've doing a lot of research and treatment on my dodgy foot, without a massive amount of success so far. The key, I've learned, is that the problem lies elsewhere than the foot itself but in the calf and beyond. So as well as the old rolling a tennis ball over my sole trick, I've been standing on the stairs stretching my calves by dropping  my heels, and various other things.

I hope it works.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 26.01.19

Christmas Eve - And Snowdrops Already

So, I finished all my shopping for the family yesterday, and today was a day to get myself a large, bottle shaped treat.

Afterwards, I went on a bike ride around the lakes to save my plantar-ish heels, and to check a part of the cemetery which is the first place that snowdrops appear every year. And you know what, they were were! We haven't even started 2019 yet and snowdrops were out, in the little corner opposite the Polish war graves. Right where I was expecting them.

Moving round to the lake itself, I caught sight of something else unexpectedly early - a drake goosander, piebald and handsome. We don't normally see these on the Blue Lake until January.

I thought it was strange a drake was alone, but as it happened there were other goosander on other parts of the lake, a couple of them in a furious battle with some black headed gulls that the drake had caught.

Further round, there were a  pair of females, red headed rather than black, sailing past a couple of fishermen telling each other about how rubbish one of their fellow anglers was at using the pole.

A slightly unpleasant moment followed as three well known local rough lads tried to knock me off my bike on the cycle path; 15 year old pretend hard kids who have been doing this for a while while police take no action. Ugh.

Still it hasn't spolied my day nor shall I let it.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 24.12.18

Geese and Ducks in a Low Sun

I've been for a walk again today, round the lake on a crisp, cold day with an easterly wind to boot. I know I shouldn't be walking, but it is too cold to cycle, or rather too windy.

I hate being inactive, I just have visions of turning into a huge fat lump.

Anyway, it was a nice walk, a route that many others take on a daily basis. With easterly winds I'm wondering if any winter ducks might show up on town waters; velvet scoters have been reported in Collingham!

Anyway, to add to my exercise regime now I can't run, I dug out an old and very dusty eliiptical stepping machine I haven't used in years.

I did 20 minutes on it it, and now my other heel hurts too.

I feel like I'm falling apart, and the  long walks I have lined up in my mind, the running, is all going to have to stop. Yes, I worry too much!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 19.11.18

Just a Little Amble

After my run yesterday, my heel has been a bit sore today so I decided to take it easy and just have a couple of  hours walking on what was a very bright but cool afternoon.

Not a lot to say, other than trundling about  listening to Stuart Maconie on Radio  6 is one of the greatest pleasures I have in my life, and there were some nice things to photograph around the two lakes.

Now I'm on the lookout for a winter walking jacket. I'm also wondering if I'm brave enough to try a winter sleep out!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 22.10.18

It's Hip to be Rose Hip

I've had another fairly exhausted day today,  cold  and tired, and other than tidy the flat a little and fail to photograph the insects on  the  ivy flowers; the little blighters were too high up.

So, flashback to last week, and a nice bright day where for some reason the dog rose  bushes at work have decided to come back into flower, providing a welcome late season food source for a few buzzers of various kinds.

It seems very strange to see the bush in flower when the rose hips themselves have now  gone over!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 01.10.18

Small Skippers Everywhere!

Work has been invaded by small skippers! They are everywhere, on the thistles, the ornamental garden, loitering in the grass, loving the teasels and generally just flitting about.

They are  having a great summer!

Si

All text and images  copyright CreamCrackeredNature 13.07.18