Do you want a Beautiful Spring Day?

 Because that's what we had on Monday, seemingly out of nowhere. The nicest day we've had in months, where I was able to go running 11.6km in only a long sleeved top, and the sun shone off the beautiful aconite and made it glow.

There was even a bumblebee buzzing past me over the cemetery crocuses, but rather strangely given the double finger temperatures there was still ice on Balderton Blue Lake, being stood on by some bored looking black headed gulls, some of whom are getting their black heads back.

Of course that was a precursot to me having a pain in the backside day today, where my bike had a puncture and the tyre burst, so tomorrow I will be riding my old bike, which my stepfather has fitted a huge retro horn to.

Lovely

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 16.02.21

Snowy Flowers

 I've managed to get a run in over the last few days, 9.2km in the snow and hail, but then settling snow and icy conditions made running too difficult. So, it was back to walking, and of course the dusting of snow made for some nice photo opportunities.

It also meant the kids could take their sledges out onto the Sconce, and slide down a millimetre of snow which rapidly turned into mud under the plastic armada.

The cold weather has been horrible for cycling, and I've been walking in again mainly because of the pain of Raynaud's Syndrome I get in my hands when cycling. Each night this week has got colder and colder, and I'm nervous of black ice. 

I hope you are all staying warm and safe.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 10.02.21

A Deeply Hideous Thing

 I was working from home on Wednesday, and was able to take advantage of this to have a quick afternoon wander along the river and to the park, which was still under a large amount of River Devon.

The eye-catching "thing" I found - and "thing" is the best word, was lurking on a tree stump in the lock gardens, where the cultivated cowslip is emerging, next to a clump of brightly coloured fungi.

And at first, this is what I thought this was. A horrendously awful fungus, looking like a pile of rotten mincemeat, squelched onto the wood like a pile of vomit.

I thought it must have been some sort of particularly ugly form of tremella type witches butter fungus. But researching at home has led me to believe that this was actually an agglomeration of fungus gnat larvae, which have a habit of forming nasty looking bundles that slomp around presumably looking for toadstools to eat.

Posting the picture on Instagram seemed to induce vomiting sensations among viewers, I hope you have stronger stomachs.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 05.02.21

Primrose Emergence

 Just a little pottle around the two lakes today, including a walk through the cemetery to see if there was anything new in bloom. 

Indeed there was. By the drainage ditch, where they always grow, the first yellow primroses are out. Not in any great numbers, they aren't carpeting that little area in yellow yet, but they are there. 

The purple and white, and purple AND white, cemetery crocuses are also present in increasing numbers, but their peak won't be for another month or so. 

Only two female goosander on the lake today, but by gosh they are feeding a lot closer in than they ever used to, with their funny little heads that remind me of daleks.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 31.01.20

We have reached Peak Aconite

 As ever, the last days of January are when the aconites of Friary Gardens reach their beautiful bright yellow peak in Friary Gardens.

They are always at their best actually before the flowers fully open, they tend to look a little tatty after they do, and under the trees on the bank they form little ovoid carpets of colour.

That colour was certainly needed on a grey day where the sun never shone, and the river ran over the banks again, an evil chocolate colour with all the soil washed off the land. 

My stepfather has now booked his vaccination slots; there are rays of light not emitting from the sun.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 30.01.21

Now Crocuses have Emerged

 I've saved a lot of photos for you from my weekend walks, and this set is more floral.

The crocuses are now emerging in their usual places, in their usual colours. Orange ones in the castle grounds under the trees, while in the cemetery the purple ones always show their heads first. 

It has been ever thus since I started monitoring their appearance. Next up, lesser celandine along the cycle path, and primrose by the cemetery ditch. Nature's calendar, annual clockwork.

Another week is nearly done, another week of trying to avoid "doomscrolling" - the word of 2021 has already emerged like the crocuses - my social media feeds and maintain some sort of perspective and optimism.

Can be hard though, can't it?

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 28.01.21

More Wateriness

 Sunday saw me taking a long hike out to Hawton and then across to Farndon, looking for winter thrushes along the Hawton-Farndon road.

In the past I've seen a lot of fieldfare in the fields along this lane, but not a sausage. Not seen a single winter thrush yet, but I'm rather more urban in this flat than I used to be. 

Willow Holt was, as expected, very boggy looking, boggy in the sense of being completely underwater in places. No way through here! But hey, it was a two hour walk in the open air, and I enjoyed it.

I'm recapturing the enjoyment of trundling along listening to Radio 4. When the plays are good, and the programmes interesting, I take such joy in it!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 27.01.21