Friday 25 October 2013

A muddy walk as autumn brews a storm for the weekend

One
last cheeky little October raspberry in a pot..
 As I stomped through the mud in my wellies..I couldn't help  but think what wonderful colour swatches lay around my feet.

And then I started noticing how many foot prints and other various prints there were embedded in the grey glistening mud.



Dogs leap into the puddles after their battered old tennis balls..


Bicycles leave their snaking patterns.



Birds have been waddling through the sticky mud. I would LOVE to see some pictures of ducks or geese fat feet in the mud. They are so iconic and strangely humorous...





All wonderful colours whether bright or dull.

The muddy track then gives way to this little lane.



The great ash tree is loosing her leaves..thank goodness as I still have clear memories of the big storm that caused such devastation as the trees were all covered in leaves that caught the wind like sails.
If you search the top branches of the stump of a tree on the right you'll see an owl house given to me one birthday and lashed aloft by my brother.


My first performance..of a few poems




Well...I have never done anything like this before..exposing your words and inner images is like laying your new born out on the rocks..but it seemed to go well and as I scooped the mewling babe back into my arms to hide away under my shawl... I got a very pleasant tingle..

Wednesday 23 October 2013

walking the asbos and some very handy wild bird food

When I first saw this strip planted up with sunflowers and millet or maybe it's sorghum..I thought it was for the wild birds to help them through winter...and maybe it is..but having now read up a bit about these seed laden grasses it is also used for providing a wind break and cover for game birds..hmm I've been picking a few armfuls so at least some of it will hang in reach of the lively little folk that inhabit the garden.


Millet and sorghum were grown 3,000 years ago as an early crop for animals and probably for people. They are poisonous in the early stages so I guess trial and fatal error revealed the better periods.



This is the field at the back of the house..standing looking back toward the buildings..you can just see the rooftops across the way. The crop of wheat has been cut and the the stubble provides a great expanse for the dogs to run.


 And run and leap they do..especially Scrabble who is like a serious drug addict when it comes to balls...




This is Tata..very short legs!! but like a little lioness when she stands over her prey..the dead ball...


 Scrabble is willing me to stop messing with the camera and throw the darn ball....



Tata too....





The paddock is totally over grown hence my ruminations about getting a few sheep..but it would have to be for life....couldn't send them for slaughter. I can hear the mocking laughter and cries of rural derision..but I've been a veggie for the past 45 or so years..and just can't get excited about eating meat.not the proper four legs and a tail variety any way..My parents had a small holding and they used to send stock off to market but I'm too soft when it comes to the fairness of it all..and the trust they place in the hand that feeds them. I know..I'm a wuz !! On a lighter note....I love these amazing trees..but just look at the size of the hogweed!!

Some silly little tomato plants decided to come late..I'll see if I can nurse them through the winter.

Monday 14 October 2013

hedgerows feasting

 The raspberry tree in my garden with extraordinary fruit that look just like fat raspberries
You can see what a big tree it is.

Fruit of the Chinese Dogwood..just like a big raspberry

So pretty and the huge white bracts in springtime are also wonderful.

Linden tree loud with bees a little earlier in the summer. 


Crab Apples they make such a sweet scent
Have lots of pics to download and no time to do it...more soon
16.10.13
Ah finally sneaked in two minutes to load some pics taken during my walk with the resident asbos..two Jack Russells
Rather tattered and torn elder but still bright and bouncy in the breeze

Rose hips that can be collected and made into wonderfully sweet and soothing to the sore throat hhhmmm Rosehip syrup of my childhood

Good old blackberries..ever friendly and refreshing on a long walk at the very least. Pies and crumbles call to be made when you see these fat beauties shining in the sun.


It's always a complete delight to come across a crab apple tree. Nothing quite like smelling them before you find them on the path and overhead..They make a fabulous jelly but are way too tart to eat without some kind of cooking.

 Dark, sexy sloes..where's that gin to soak them in for Christmas
Well the birds have enjoyed these late elder berries..





More lovely rose hips
I seem to remember my mum saying the pithy centre made good itching powder substitute..but goodness knows what kind of modern allergy it might trigger so leave well alone..







Lovely hawthorn
In my garden I have a glorious red hawthorn blossom tree..usually its pale pinky/white.


White Rowan planted for Isabelle twenty years ago..it's branches are like a ballerina's arms.





Toxic Berries Look but don't touch



 I think these are bryony but beware to quote good ol' Wicki ' all components of the black bryony plant, including the tubers, are poisonous due to saponin content. Therefore, it is not typically used internally; however, it has been used as a poultice for bruises and inflamed joints.' Personally I wouldn't use it for anything..just enjoy it sparkling in the sunshine.

 Red as bright as this can mean poison and in this case it does..Bryony twisting through the branches

Well these believe it or not are spindle berries..usually bright and pink but this year rather like old germolene.



These spindle berries are a bit more like it!!By the way they are also highly toxic so don't be tempted to do anything other than look at them. Euonymus europaeus





 Some additional delights


 These are not in the hedgerow as such but they are rather lovely..

 End of the summer Mullein also known as
Adam's flannel, old man's flannel, woollen, rag paper, candlewick plant, wild ice leaf, Jupiter's staff, Jacob's staff, Flannel Plant, Hag's Taper



The umbelliferous  Dill I love the sweet tangy seeds of this amazing plant.