Sunday 27 May 2012

I Love Gannets - Bempton Cliffs RSPB Reserve.

In retrospect, it probably wasn't a good idea to take what were, at the time, the two littlest members of the Clan to to Bempton Cliffs RSPB Reserve to see the puffins.

Bempton Cliffs

Firstly, it was 24C when we set off from Wykeham Forest, hot and humid, and the kids were hot and hungry for ice cream.

When we got to Flaborough Head, it was draped with Frett, mist swirling around the cliffs and over the headland. The temperature dropped to a chilly 15C and the coats were retrieved from the boot of the car.

Frett over Bempton Cliffs

A massive wooden puffin sits waiting for unsuspecting children outside the visitors centre. Raising expectations somewhat.......

The ice cream freezer sits just by the visitor centre entrance...... "We'll get an ice cream after we've seen the puffins" ..... "No, the real ones !!"

Bempton Cliffs

With hindsight, expecting a four year old to disregard the pungent smell of guano was a particularly unlikely prospect. Plus expecting a two and a half year old to look for a bird, however endearing, sitting on a vertical cliff a good distance away, through binoculars, and remain a safe distance from the abyss, is even more unlikely.

And..... we didn't see any puffins !!

But we did see lots of gannets, and I love gannets (even more than puffins). Here you go........

Gannet nesting on Bempton Cliffs

Plus there were razorbills, kittiwakes, guillimots and common and herring gulls.

Bempton Cliffs

And the little ones enjoyed their ice cream when we got back to the visitors centre, even though we didn't see any real puffins !!

And WELCOME to their baby brother, born 6pm, Sunday, 27th May 2012.

Monday 21 May 2012

Bluebells in Bluebell Wood - Wykeham Forest


It's been a bit of a Wykeham Forest Fest on Big Gorse Bush lately - mainly due to our impending move - but I thought that the bluebells, just a few hundred metre's from our home would be worth a quick look.....

Bluebells in Bluebell Wood, Wykeham Forest (SE951864)

The bluebells aren't as good this year - could it have something to do with the weather ??

But it still always feels like summer just might be around the corner........

Rafe and Hal in Bluebell Wood, Wykeham Forest (SE951863)

Thursday 17 May 2012

Spring at Last - Wykeham Forest


Halleykeld bridleway, Wykeham Forest (SE938870)

On Halleykeld bridleway, Wykeham Forest (SE938870)

Well, the house is on the market.....




The Camel Tree, Wykeham Forest (SE934870)


By Park Farm Road, Wykeham Forest (SE938876)

But last weekend was so beautiful, it makes me wonder what we might just be losing.



Rafe and Hal, The Charcoal Burners Track, Wykeham Forest (SE939877)

I'm really going to miss every last tree.... I know - I'm a bit of (a lot of) a tree hugger.

Still a bit muddy on Charcoal Burners Track
Wykeham Forest (SE939876)


Cow Slips.
They used to be a rarity in Wykeham Forest
- not any more

By Halleykeld Bridleway, Wykeham Forest (SE836870)


Middle Track, Wykeham Forest (SE944866)


The Sweat Box, Wykeham Forest
Where, in days gone by, men and horses brought in the wood harvest
- not mega machines (SE947866)


Blue skies at last over Wykeham Forest
(SE951863)


Hal by the old tree house at North Moor, Wykeham Forest (SE950863)


"I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do. They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far!" John Muir
Oak and tumulus, Cairn Track, Wykeham Forest (SE949865)

Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor

Setting off from Glen Feshie - it was chilly - before the sun had a chance to peep over the hills...  Off we go! Jim - Setting off near Auch...