29th October - An Autumn Walk, An Impromptu Trip to the Vets and An Evening Sitting Starstruck!

Yesterday started well, had a scary blip in the middle and ended on a superb note.

My Auntie had come to stay because it was half term for her, and we headed out for a walk, to enjoy the bright and sunny autumnal weather. We drove to Victory wood, which is one of our favourite dog walking places now. Not only is there plenty of space for Bracken to have a good run around - there are also fabulous views, stretching miles.

We made our way swiftly past the sheep, with Bracken safely on the lead (being a collie cross and not wanting him to try herding sheep for the first time) and made our way to the entrance of Ellenden wood. It had a doggy gate too, to save our pup trying to jump the style and inevitably hurting himself. There were a few trees down, illustrating the effects of, the ever so hyped up, St Jude's Storm. The wood has a lovely little stream running through it, which alongside the orange, ochre and yellow fallen leaves made for a wonderful woodland scene.

The blue sky peeping through the green leaves reminded us of the glorious weather!

We hopped over the stream and tried to make our way in the direction of where we thought the other entrance was... we weren't lost - just exploring!

There were a few fungi to be seen. Whilst admiring - Bracken thought it would make a tasty snack and ran off with a small chunk of one... we hoped and hoped he would spit it out - or it would be a harmless one!

Possibly an old dry specimen of Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystina)

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

We found a well trodden path through lovely beech tree woodland.

What seemed like an orange spiders web inside this hollow

We eventually found the bridleway which led us back to a point we recognised. We made our way up to the highest point of the walk and down the other side. Glancing back, it seemed like we hadn't walked that far, but after 2 hours of navigating through woodland with no paths we certainly felt like we'd walked miles.

We arrived back at the car - all bundled in and looked forward to a nice cup of coffee and some lunch.

Lunch was put on hold. Bracken appeared to be in some discomfort when we got home. He was pawing at his ears and face, and trying with all his might to scratch an invisible itch. After attempting to see what was causing the problem his muzzle and eyes started swelling. We immediately called the vets and they urged us to get him to them straight away. What had been a lovely day so far, quickly turned into a nightmare. Bracken dislikes the vets, but it was necessary. The vet thought he had probably been stung or bitten by something, rather than ingested a nasty, as that would have resulted in vomiting. We were relieved that his earlier possible fungi eating wasn't the cause. He was prescribed steroids for a couple of days and human piriton - obviously in the correct dose. You should never give pets human tablets unless a vet has prescribed them.

Anyway we got him home and the puffiness quickly went down and he had a snooze for the rest of the afternoon.

On a different and more exciting note... in the evening we took ourselves down to one of the schools in Canterbury, where the local rspb group were hosting a talk by the One and only Mike Dilger!

We were early (for once) and had a browse of the small photographic exhibition and other bits on show. Mum and I then found ourselves seats in the front row because mum had forgotten her glasses! Mike got a little held up due to traffic, but he greeted us with a cheery wave when he arrived.

In the first half he talked about how he got into nature, wildlife and consequently his path to TV fame. After the break he read some extracts from his new book 'My Garden and Other Animals' and answered any questions people had. He was enthusiastic, very funny and a joy to listen to! During the break we got a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Mum persuaded me to go and get a copy of his book  and have a chat. Now I'm not one to get excited about celebrities of the film and television world, but when it comes to wildlife TV presenters, it's another story all together! Not that I have ever spoken to a wildlife TV presenter before. Even Mike talked about being starstruck when sat next to David Attenborough - but then who wouldn't be! Anyway I chatted to him for a few minutes and I told him I save moths from the pub kitchen (relates to the title of one of the chapters of his book) and that I volunteer etc and he signed a lovely message in my book :)

I also gave Mike my blog address just in case he got time to look at it, so HI! if you are reading this Mike!!

I have started reading Mike's book and am already hooked. After 1 chapter I would already recommend it! Very down to earth and humorous!

Right I have gone on for long enough. Hope all my blogging friends are well and you enjoyed my post!!

Backlog numero 2

So far behind! The last week or so has been filled with the usual dog walks, volunteering, pub work and catching up with friends. All time consuming, but lovely activities (well apart from working at the pub, which is anything but lovely!). Anyway I'm going to cut to the chase, here are some photos from last week and I'll narrate using the caption facility under each photo :)
18th July

What is this?! It resides on a tansy plant which has also been invaded by black fly that are being farmed by ants...

Usually I would try and ID hoverflies but I couldn't see it's pattern from above so I am clueless about this one!

Wild raspberry picking on a sunny afternoon walk. Bracken now stops every time we go past this point, waiting for his mid-walk fruity treat to be picked and fed to him. He has learnt (clever dog) that we have the same plant in the garden and often tries to pick them himself. Mum - not impressed!

Gatekeeper

Comma

His/her white comma mark clearly noticable!

Mad dog back to his usual self :)

Common mallow and poppies against the corn which is just turning and the local village church :)

 19th July

Agapanthus just emerging

Lilies ready to burst forth and bring beautiful sweet scents to our garden!

Last Friday (19th) I thought I'd take mum to Stalisfield where I had been situated for a fair bit of volling for KWT. We stopped off on route along the lovely road which passes through this gorgeous dappled woodland.

 

Fab view across the valley

Not sure of this flower? Anyone any idea?

I had also wanted to go with mum so she could see the broad bodied chasers that we saw near the ponds. We were disappointed that they seemed to have moved on. All was redeemed when we were surprised by a hare, who we had sadly disturbed. I forget how huge they are and how fast they run! Wonderful sight! We also saw a warbler of some description with some juveniles, however they weren't playing ball and I couldn't get a decent look. We also saw a marbled white butterfly which was a treat as the last one I saw was down at dungeness last year or the year before!

Anyway we headed back to the car and briefly hung around the ponds. No luck, then as we were just leaving a male broad bodied chased zoomed our way and perched on a twig in the hedges!! Great!! I didn't get a very good photo though so won't include it.

Nearly caught up now... the next post will be about the wonderful day I had on Sunday and the dragons that I saw on Monday!

A sunny start just to fool us!

On the 1st day of April we were graced with some much needed sunshine! There was still a very chilly wind so we thought we would take pup for his first trip to the woods! We went to Blean woods, on the outskirts of Canterbury which is partly owned by the RSPB. There were quite a few other people who had obviously had the same idea! Bracken LOVES other people and dogs and is very excitable so it was an... interesting walk!

Still looking rather autumnal

Little drink from the stream

Contemplating whether or not to have another drink

I love old trees that have been coppiced, they make brilliant shapes!

I thought this looked like a perfect little hole for a birdy to nest in!

It was a lovely walk, but we were amazed that we didn't see any birds! We heard the odd corvid squawking and great tit calling but nothing much else other than a grey squirrel which Bracken missed! Then about 10 metres from the car we saw a jay which saved the day! We don't get many down our way so it was quite nice to see one :)

A lovely sunny walk indeed, but was April fools day fooling us into thinking that spring may be just around the corner?!


Well we thought not, as the next day we opened our curtains and there it was again... vast expanses of blue sky and ... the sun!! We had another delightful walk in the afternoon.

I love this tree!

Go on.. throw the ball

I'm still waiting...

Getting bored of waiting now...

 So after a couple of sunny days, did the weather last? Well you guessed it, no! Back to freezing biting winds, snow, hail and rain again. I don't think I was fooled!

Although I can't wait to see swallows and house martins and swifts swooping around once again, I really hope they hold off a bit longer as I think they will be in for a bit of a shock if they do return to our cold wet country any time soon!

The last few days of March...

After my last post which was mostly moaning about the lack of sunshine and freezing weather, this post is going to be more positive and shouting about the rays of sun which keep peeping out from behind those blooming clouds! There is still a very chilly wind and it seems to have changed from an Easterly to a North Easterly, so it is definitely no warmer!!

Along the pavement just outside our house, the daffodils are just coming out, and the crocuses are also looking beautiful. Well they would be if they hadn't been jumped on or kicked. Culprits are either the primary school kids nearby, whose parents don't seem to care that their delinquent children are ruining the spring flowers, or it is somebodies dog which has had a bit of a field day with them. I think I know which it is more likely to be. Anyway rant over. It was sad seeing unopened daffs lying around so mum took one home and put it in a little vase, and miraculously it survived!

Usually I don't bother taking my camera out with me when walking Bracken, often because it's so bloody cold and my fingers are like blocks of ice, but with the recent glimpses of that fiery ball in the sky, I decided to take it on the last couple of evening walks.

Sunlit tree trunk and bluebells emerging

Spring!!

Catkin silhouettes

Gorse looking wonderfully colourful

Action shot! Look I have my ball, but you can't have it!!

Another walk, another litter pick...

Mmmm ready salted crisps! My fave!

We also had rather distant views of a few buzzards flying way up in the cloud, soaring in the thermals. Must have been really chilly up there! We also saw a heron gliding really high up, which we thought unusual.

Heavily cropped so a bit blurry, but can make out it's markings.

 More pup shots...

Posing next to a large fallen tree

Racing back for a treat!

About a week ago I saw a couple of snipe down in the strawberry fields behind our house and then didn't see them again for a few days. We were just on our way back home and we flushed about 10 from the marshy ground. They really are endearing birds! Also quite agile in flight. I got one shot but it was already quite far away so the photo below is a cropped image.

Snipe showing its characteristically long straight bill.

Well March is finally over! We did go for a lovely walk down at Blean woods with plenty of sun but I will save that for another blog post.

So let us hope that this year April is remembered for glorious hot weather, rather than it's renowned showers!!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and please visit again soon :)