Are you missing the joys of beauty and nature and sun? Come and take rest in this brief halcyon day we encountered this Sunday.
It has been one of our new year missions to take some walks and enjoy the beauty of the areas near and far around where we live, especially since one of our friends and neighbours is moving in a month. We are very sad about this. However, today we went to visit Hanningfields Reservoir and nature reserve.
The day was utterly glorious. CBC and I woke to brilliant sunshine, that long-lost but never forgotten friend, who beckoned through the curtains. The walk to church was bright, brilliant and dare I say it, a little warm.
On the way home, I noticed this gorgeous blossom just along the main street as I walked. To the bewilderment of the Dog-walker, I leaned over the ditch and precariously took photos.
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Arriving at Hanningfield, we met our friends and headed through the woods from the Visitor's centre.
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It was decidedly muddy from the deluges we have experienced in the past days/weeks but it was definitely walkable and a good pair of walking boots was sufficient.
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The sunlight streamed through the trees and the air smelt fresh and healthy.
We chatted as we walked, listening to the sounds of nut hatches and a woodpecker, tits, robins and chaffinches (thanks to my year 2 lesson on birdsong, I recognise all these birds and of course, my trusty blackbird).
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As we walked, B spotted the first little robin, sitting on a log- he flitted soon to a branch nearby.
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The reservoir became visible to our left and some geese were swimming. The whole scene was curiously reminscent of Alligators emerging from the water in Canadian films!
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Following the path round, we encountered clear fields with brilliant green grass and clear blue skies.
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All too soon, we came to the Fishing Lodge. A large variety of ducks, geese, moorhens and coots live here and tamely meander amongst the trees by the lake edge.
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After tea and cake in the fishing lodge, we headed along the reservoir's edge, a bit further.
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The jetty looked so inviting but isn't open to humans until March. Luckily, it was open to black-headed gulls.
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Some chaffinches were spotted in the trees.
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Some debate over whether we should trek around the whole length of the reservoir ensued but we decided this was too late in the day but we would definitely do this when it is warmer and we have more time.
Returning through the woods, B with her clear-sight spotted a grey squirrel rustling amongst the squirrel-equivalent of a ballpool- leaf pool!
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Crazily enough, about two minutes later, I looked into the sky and saw this squirrel-shaped cloud. Can you see its tail, little hands outstretched, ears and eyes?
![IMG_1185]()
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We found a selection of fire-beaters dotted around the woods and the boys couldn't resist a silly photo shoot with them. I'll leave it to your imagination what they were doing with them! As photos were taken, I noticed a silent observer. This little red robin looked at the loony humans with mild disdain.
![IMG_1189]()
The walk continued and we noticed a field full of gulls! A couple of blue tits danced on the branches above, calling out but they were too rapid for me to take a photo.
![IMG_1204]()
A final walk back to the lodge and we bid adieu to our friends and headed off for a late Sunday lunch in a village pub.
Such beauty, such delight, it restored me. I am so thankful for this dry and sunny day to spend time enjoying nature with friends.
Have you had any sunshine or seen anything beautiful recently?
xxx
P.S. Thank you for all your kind comments on my Valentines post. I was really not hoping to garner comments on my kindness but to inspire others to perhaps do something similar, even a small version of the kitkat act, which I have done over the past 2 years with Timeouts ("everyone needs a bit of timeout") are easy to do but do mean something to people.
It has been one of our new year missions to take some walks and enjoy the beauty of the areas near and far around where we live, especially since one of our friends and neighbours is moving in a month. We are very sad about this. However, today we went to visit Hanningfields Reservoir and nature reserve.
The day was utterly glorious. CBC and I woke to brilliant sunshine, that long-lost but never forgotten friend, who beckoned through the curtains. The walk to church was bright, brilliant and dare I say it, a little warm.
On the way home, I noticed this gorgeous blossom just along the main street as I walked. To the bewilderment of the Dog-walker, I leaned over the ditch and precariously took photos.
Arriving at Hanningfield, we met our friends and headed through the woods from the Visitor's centre.
It was decidedly muddy from the deluges we have experienced in the past days/weeks but it was definitely walkable and a good pair of walking boots was sufficient.
The sunlight streamed through the trees and the air smelt fresh and healthy.
We chatted as we walked, listening to the sounds of nut hatches and a woodpecker, tits, robins and chaffinches (thanks to my year 2 lesson on birdsong, I recognise all these birds and of course, my trusty blackbird).
As we walked, B spotted the first little robin, sitting on a log- he flitted soon to a branch nearby.
The reservoir became visible to our left and some geese were swimming. The whole scene was curiously reminscent of Alligators emerging from the water in Canadian films!
Following the path round, we encountered clear fields with brilliant green grass and clear blue skies.
All too soon, we came to the Fishing Lodge. A large variety of ducks, geese, moorhens and coots live here and tamely meander amongst the trees by the lake edge.
After tea and cake in the fishing lodge, we headed along the reservoir's edge, a bit further.
The jetty looked so inviting but isn't open to humans until March. Luckily, it was open to black-headed gulls.
Some chaffinches were spotted in the trees.
Some debate over whether we should trek around the whole length of the reservoir ensued but we decided this was too late in the day but we would definitely do this when it is warmer and we have more time.
Returning through the woods, B with her clear-sight spotted a grey squirrel rustling amongst the squirrel-equivalent of a ballpool- leaf pool!
Crazily enough, about two minutes later, I looked into the sky and saw this squirrel-shaped cloud. Can you see its tail, little hands outstretched, ears and eyes?
We found a selection of fire-beaters dotted around the woods and the boys couldn't resist a silly photo shoot with them. I'll leave it to your imagination what they were doing with them! As photos were taken, I noticed a silent observer. This little red robin looked at the loony humans with mild disdain.
The walk continued and we noticed a field full of gulls! A couple of blue tits danced on the branches above, calling out but they were too rapid for me to take a photo.
A final walk back to the lodge and we bid adieu to our friends and headed off for a late Sunday lunch in a village pub.
Such beauty, such delight, it restored me. I am so thankful for this dry and sunny day to spend time enjoying nature with friends.
Have you had any sunshine or seen anything beautiful recently?
xxx
P.S. Thank you for all your kind comments on my Valentines post. I was really not hoping to garner comments on my kindness but to inspire others to perhaps do something similar, even a small version of the kitkat act, which I have done over the past 2 years with Timeouts ("everyone needs a bit of timeout") are easy to do but do mean something to people.