A Definite Autumnal Feel

There is a definite feeling of Autumn in the air.  Chillier mornings, quickly darkening evenings, gorgeous skies, brisk winds tossing and turning fallen leaves, trees turning gold and bronze.

We walked in Trentham Gardens on Wednesday, as we set out around the lake there was damp in the air.  It took a while to clear and then the sun appeared for what seemed like the first time in ages.

The walk was mostly fungi spotting which is always a fun and interesting thing to do.

I'm not sure what they all are but I know that the red ones are Fly Agaric toadstools and the round ones are puff balls.  In the bottom photo the fungi looks a bit like poached eggs.

 

I recently received a most wonderful gift.  A dear friend often sends me links to the Guardian Country Diary, especially if the notes are about places we know or animals and birds we love.  They are always a joy to read.

 

A couple of days ago there was a knock at the door and the postwoman stood there with a parcel for me.  It was quite funny as the pharmacy delivery man was standing at the side of her with medication so two parcels together. One parcel far more appealing than the other.

 

Inside was a recently published book of the best of the Guardian's  Country Diary from 2018 to 2024.  It has an introduction by the wonderful Ian McMillan.  How to read  the book?  From beginning to end? Dip in? Or read with the seasons?  I decided on the latter and so my bookmark is in October.  Thank you, both of you, for you kindness.

 

The sun is out this morning highlighting the fact that windows need cleaning but at least I'll be able to put the towels outside to dry.

 

 

 

Bug Snugs, Beavers and Snowdrops

 We're at the end of January.  I can't decide whether days have passed quickly or slowly.  Things have got done, appointments kept, walks taken to boost daily steps but somehow without much enthusiasm or solidness about them.  Sort of drifting really.

Last week we walked at Trentham as we do most weeks. We found lots of changes.  Some tree felling had taken place, lots of clearing of shrubs and some new additions.

Bug Snugs

 

As the label says they have been built to keep insect life warm and to act as shelter for things like frogs and hedgehogs in the winter months.   Birds will use some of their material for nesting in the Spring.  What a good idea.

 

Elsewhere around the lake there are signs of Beaver Activity.  The little family of Beavers on the island in the middle of the lake has grown to four and they are making their presence felt all around the lake.

There are two or three areas where they have been gnawing at branches.  They are adding to their food cache of juicy green wood which is full of nutrients for them.

 

Apparently they create food storage areas and eating stations.

There are signs too of them starting to build a canal network in the reed beds.

 

More about the Beavers  here

 

There were quite a few Snowdrops along the garden paths.

Bobbing gracefully in the breeze.

 

Lots of Cyclamen too showing arcs of colour under the trees.

Into December

A few photos from this morning's walk at Trentham Gardens.  Cold in the air and crunchy underfoot. Visible breath from both walkers and dogs.  Definitely a warm hat, scarf and gloves day.  Also a hot chocolate day at the cafe halfway around the lake.  Fingers warmed around the cup before we moved on.

Stay warm and have a lovely weekend.

 

Tulips, Blossom and a few Eggs

 It's Tulip time at Trentham Gardens.  

In beds and in pots all over the formal garden.

So many colours and varieties

Trentham Parish church in the background

These were so bright and cheerful in the sunshine

Although the oranges and yellows are so cheerful I think my favourites were the pink and purple ones.

Blossom time too. 

It was a gorgeous Spring day.

Walking around we spotted eggs from the Easter weekend.  I'm sure we didn't see them all.  Below are the ones we found.

I think there was a trail for children to follow with an Easter Egg prize at the end.

As we left the gardens I spotted the display above and took a photo.  A delighted member of staff came towards me and said that she was so glad I'd stopped as she had only just put the display out and really appreciated that someone had noticed and liked them.  I may try this at home later in the year with flowers from our garden.

Just a little Walk

We took a short walk at Trentham on Monday morning.  It was a gloomy day and damp in the air.  After coffee at the lakeside cafe we strolled along enjoying the quiet and the views across the still icy lake.  

There were some wonderful reflections.

I do wonder why people have to throw logs and bricks on to the ice.  We saw it again at Westport Lake today.  There the council had a boat out to scoop things from the water and the ice.

 We watched a Coot struggling to skate on the ice, it eventually sorted itself out, thank goodness, and returned to the water.  I did take a photo but unfortunately it was quite blurred.   I did manage to capture a photo of this pair of Mallards close by.

As we walked the wind picked up and it became quite breezy.  We made a circuit and turned to go back to the cafe as we'd parked our car at the South entrance near the Monkey Forest.  As we approached a couple ahead were chatting to a member of staff at the cafe.  We noticed the chairs being put on the tables and wondered what was happening.  Apparently the gardens and lakeside were being closed as high wind had been forecast, people were being asked to leave.  We were near to our car but the other couple had to walk all the way back to the North entrance.

I did mange to take a few photos of birds on the way round.

Crow on a bench.  There are lots of them about at the moment.  They always seem more noticeable at this time of year and their call is evocative of cold, wintry days.

There were even more Robins, they were everywhere.  We saw lots of them today, posing in leafless bushes and flitting across the path as we walked.  We have a pair in the garden at home too.

Not sure what this duck is. There were two or three of them amongst the Mallards.  This one just wanted to snooze for a while in the warmer air.

My favourite goose the Greylag.  There is just something special about them.

There was a huge gaggle of them on the pathway up above the lakeside.

All for now.  Take care.