Stepping Out Diary
24th June
2011 | 6th May 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | January 2011 | November 2010 | October 2010
29th July 2011 - Hilltop Farm
The best part of today's trip was seeing
lots of swallows. They were sweeping very low over meadows adjacent
to the farm. It was great to see so many - mostly youngsters -
growing and building up for the long autumn journey south. They are
such attractive, elegant little birds, it is hard to imagine them
flying so many miles on such small wings, but incredibly they do.
You tend to take it for granted them arriving in the spring and
leaving in the autumn, I wonder what a comparative feat of human
endeavour would be?
As we approached the farm along the track
it was noticeable to see the lack of height on the ripened corn
alongside the track. There has been much in the news about the lack
of rain back in April and its consequences and there the result was
right in front of us.
There were lovely views of open countryside
despite it being quite a dull day but you could see for miles
across a green and gold patchwork.
24th June 2011 - Coombe Country
Park
We enjoyed a very pleasant walk around
Coombe and the weather stayed dry for us despite some heavy looking
clouds. The views across the water towards the house are always
picturesque whatever the season and the other side of the path is
still a favourite duck feeding area for the children.
The wildflower meadow was brimming with
flowers and seed heads. Not much activity at the heronry now but
from the windows of the hide we watched common terns twisting and
turning over the water.
On the way back we passed a family of
swans. The cygnets looked really scruffy as they were in the
process of losing their downy feathers. It made us think of the
story of the ugly duckling as very soon they will be every bit as
elegant as their parents.
We also came across a wild rose that was
particularly deep pink in colour and really stood out in the
hedgerow.
6th May 2011 - Ryton Pools
The weather was lovely - again. We really
are being spoilt this Spring. It meant we had a very pleasant walk
at Ryton. There was not an abundance of birds on the water but a
chance to see our first mallard and coot chicks of the year. And
two golden Canada goslings.
Wild flowers everywhere - a lovely carpet
of red campion, what I think was red dead nettle, dog roses,
blackberry flowers, may blossom. There was not time to do the
bluebell walk in the wood but I will add them to the list as well
as there was a lovely clump near the main pool.
The best part of the day came at the end
when we were in the hide. It was so quiet apart from the odd
territory squabble. But we were glued to watching a pair of coots
feeding four chicks just a few yards from us. And also a
spectacular bathing session put on by a Canada goose. Nothing out
of the ordinary but we were hooked and didn't want to leave. The
time goes by so quickly.
25th March 2011 - Warwick
Originally we were going to Ryton
Pools but a change of plan meant we went to Warwick, St Nicholas
Park.
It was a beautifully warm spring day.
Some of us decided to go to the Mill Garden located by the river in
the shadow of Warwick Castle. There was already quite a lot of
colour, including delicate violets. We saw the odd bumblebee and
also a peacock butterfly. Two swans on the river were being
territorial and views of the castle and the old bridge were lovely
on such a clear, sunny day.
The rest of the time we walked round
the park and by the river where the fresh green of the willow
leaves caught our eye. All too soon the time was gone and it was
time to return.
25th February 2011 - Jephson Gardens, Leamington
Spa
It was a dull day but the rain stayed away
until the afternoon.
On such a dull winter's day the gardens did
look a bit bleak but carpets of crocuses, the final show of the
snowdrops and the odd shrub with leaf buds opening all made it a
pleasant walk.
One of my favourite trees there, a
paperbark maple (just outside the tropical house) never fails to
impress. The colours and shapes on the trunk and branches are
wonderful, rain or shine.
Even the tropical house only had the odd
flower. That will change of course - something to look forward
to.
28th January 2011 - Brandon Marsh
Last month's visit to Brandon Marsh was
cancelled due to snow. It was moved forward to this month.
The group were pleased to meet George
Conchie, a committee member from the Co-op Community Fund, which
now funds Stepping Out. It gave us a chance to thank the committee
and Mr Conchie was able to see for himself what we get up to and
what it means to us as carers. A photographer also came and proved
he was used to dealing with people who try to slip out of shot!
We had a really good day. It was very cold
but dry and bright. Peter Thorne led the group. We visited two
hides overlooking the pools. There was an amazing difference
between the two. The first pool had clear open water, full of
birdlife. It provided the highlight of the day - a very brief but
memorable glimpse of a bittern. We arrived in the hide just as it
flew into the reeds in front of the hide. Magic.
The second pool was completely frozen over.
No birdlife at all except for one coot which tried a short stroll
but soon gave up. That not withstanding it was beautiful in its own
way. Silent apart from the breeze in the reeds. And great
reflections and colours on the ice.
A lovely outing but it always is at Brandon
Marsh.
19th November 2010 - Dobbie's Garden
World
It was a strange day weatherwise. Pockets
of bright sunshine alternating with pockets of thick fog.
Atherstone was definitely in a pocket of fog. So it was nice to
leave the cold and damp outside and step into Dobbie's. We were
greeted by the usual Christmas decorations but also by vibrant red
in the form of poinsettias. Plenty of Christmas trees, real and
artificial. So it definitely put us in the Christmas mood. We were
able to catch up as a group again; something that has been a very
important part of this project.
The next outing is to Brandon Marsh. It is
obviously some time since we have walked there so we are looking
forward to that.
22nd October 2010 - Compton Verney
Good news - Stepping Out has returned. On a
beautiful October day we set out from our usual pick up point for
Compton Verney.
The trees were not at their autumnal best
but lovely tree silhouettes against a blue sky, a large yew tree
dripping with masses of red berries, brilliant sunlight rippling
across the lake and a child-like scuff through some of the leaves
that had fallen more than made up for that.
Autumn is an interesting time of year.
Things closing down preparing for the cold months ahead. But on
such a day, winter's cold seemed a long way off.