The Weather Vane

Again, our dear Sugar Factory.

We have northerly winds today. I know that for two reasons.

The first is that you can smell the sugar factory, the rich, organic and earthy sweet smell of roasting / refining / whatever the hell it is they do sugar beet. It lies to the north of the town, on The Great North Road, a retro looking mass of belching pipes and chimneys, and when you can smell it, you know the wind is from degree zero.

The second is that as I sit at work, watching the twilight behind the dark clouds of smoke it emits as I plan my journey home, I use it as a weather vane. When the smoke blows to the left, it means it is indeed a northerly wind, usually a cold one although not today, and will not be into my face.

Every day in autumn and  winter I check it, until the campaign ends in March, when warmer weather means I fear the wind less.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 11.01.19

Go to Bed Hoggy!

Having a little look around while doing a bit of late night naked eye astronomy, when across the road I noticed a dark snuffling shape over on the little park across the road where during the day the first redwing had arrived to have a crack at the cotoneaster.

Of course I knew what it was, but what was Tiggywinkles doing out on a January night?

It was reasonably mild, and wet ground probably meant it was a good night for hunting. But hoggies should be in their beds this time of year!

It wasn't a small hedgehog, and it appeared healthy and I have absolutely no means of doing a rescue, so I left it where it was. Apparently I perhaps should have contacted a rescue, but I will keep an eye out. It's a favourite spot for hedgehogs, that little park.

I hope my prickly friend is well and can get to sleep.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 09.01.19

On Risking a Run

Finally I cracked, the inactivity had become far too much for  me, it was too windy to cycle and walking takes too long.

I thought I'd stuff gel insoles into my running shoes, and have a gentle trot round the two lakes.

Gentle is what it was, as it took me 40 plus minutes to do 6km. After 5km it got a bit sore too in my left heel, but my right is ok.

Certainly it doesn't feel any worse now than it did, so although I won't run again for a bit, short runs on easy ground might be ok. It's the one form of exercise that gets my heart-rate up high enough, and the sweat to come quicker.

Oh what a lovely thought for you all!

Today, there was a drake and duck goosander on the lake. The rafts of black headed gulls that bob about in large numbers seem to like mobbing them; presumably they hang about near them in the hope of stealing fish or frogs.

There are new emergences too, although not strictly wildflowers. The green hellebore in the library gardens is now flowering, as well as some small white flowers but no dwarf iris yet.

Got to keep moving!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.01.19

OK, the Exhaustion Hit me Today

Yep, today was my sleep all day day, I guess every weekend has to have to have one!

I have still gone to the park to look at the sun and think about things to do this year, and wonder how far off a gentle, short run I am. I'm thinking that my foot might end up being a pain management rather than clear up thing - it is a lot better now, but it doesn't want to clear up totally.

We will see.

I'm hoping to do more sketching, and I've also started attempting to make a little electronic music onmy computer. Rather difficult, it's taken me a lot of fiddling to get two bars of anything that sounds reasonable!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 06.01.19

Another Hunt Successful

Despite being full of a heavy cold, I managed to get out twice today. Probably slightly daft I know, but I need to feel fresh air on my face, I need to be able to see things.

For once I didn't have the usual Saturday exhaustion and felt pretty lively. Once I'd laid in bed for two hours warming up, like a lizard resting on a rock with no sun to kick start its blood.

The hot cup of tea at Rumbles tasted especially good in the cold after a walk round the park.

In the afternoon, I walked around the two lakes, and saw a record number of goosander on the lake - 2 very handsome drakes and 6 ducks. In flight they look stunning too, white wings flashing low over the water.

I wasn't looking for them, nor was I looking for the little egret that was also on view. I was walking further round, to Friary Gardens, where after a little bit of careful searching, low to the ground, I found the first winter aconite of 2019. Exactly where I expected them too!

Well, the springing of spring goes on. Even though its winter.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 05.01.19

Let's Get Walking in 2019

So, I have walked about 4 miles today, and although my foot still hurts thanks to the orthotics I have in my walking shoes, it isn't any worse. Very shortly the weather is going to make sane cycling impossible and I've got to stay active somehow.

Today  on the lake, there was only a solitary goosander today, but the first little egret has made its way to Balderton. We had as many as three last winter so I wonder how many will visit this season?

To me, despite the short days and the cold, this is spring. As I have done so every year I will show you the changes as the new wildflowers emerge, I love how colour returns to the ground, I love how you can see the birds in breeding plumage before the leaves get in the way.

Hopefully I can do this from more locations this year.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 01.01.2019

2018 Cricket Season in Review

Sorry nature lovers, this is a piece aimed at my cricketing colleagues, who all love reading about themselves when my cricket blogs come out on Saturday and Sunday evenings, hoping I've said something nice about them.

This year I've played 9 times for the 3rd Team, 7 times for the 2nds, once for the 1sts, and then 10 times for the Sunday 1sts. I took 27 wickets at 19.26, including 16 at 13.00 for the 3rd Team which got me an award which I've very proud of.

The less said about my bowling for the 2nd Team the better...

Nicest Ground

Both the Manor Ground at Thurgarton, and Norwood Park are beautiful and incredibly photogenic. We had stunning weather as well when I played at those grounds. Newstead Abby has stunning surroundings, but the cricket ground itself is bobbins and surrounded by holly so fetching a ball hit for 4 or 6 resulted in laceration on a major scale

Worst Ground

The City Hospital ground where we played Basford Mill was a sunburnt horror with a terror wicket and "smoking" opponents. The tea could have walked out of there on its own, with a special mention to the whole melons we were provided with no means of cutting.

Best Away Tea

Toss up between Keyworth 3rds and Calverton 2nds. One does not expect to find pulled pork at a cricket tea.

Best Innings

I was privileged to play with 3 century makers, but the best innings was Sean G. scoring 82 against Basford Mill against fast bowling on a wicket where the ball could have taken your head off at any moment. He smacked it everywhere, and when they brought on the fast bowlers to bowl at 13 year old Jacob P., he smashed them as well.

Best Catch

George took a deflected blinder off my bowling at Keyworth 2nds. Leapt like a salmon. A salmon with hands.

Best Bowling

Modesty Si, modesty... but probably Jack E's second spell against Bingham 2. We let him down losing that game.

Biggest choke

Me batting against Bingham 2 in a tight game. I lost my head completely, I just didn't know what to do. I felt utterly rubbish

Best Meat Raffle

Against Walesby at their ground, after the Country and Western Singer...

Here's to the 2019 season!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 31.12.2018