What a cracking day, sun from first thing this morning. Going to be a good Easter Holiday if this keeps up.
Early morning breakfast enjoyed at Lockey Farm with the family. Always good to meet up like this. Adults enjoy a catch up and the kids enjoy a play on the various play equipment.
Moved on to Henry Street after breakfast. Bought a patio Maple Tree. Had one some 35 years ago but died in the 1976 drought so time it was replaced! Henry Street must be one of the best garden centres in the area boosted by the fact it is one of the few family owned businesses about and still do not charge for their loyalty card.
Chilled out during the afternoon watching Bird activity mostly.
Pictures 1 - 4 - Kids enjoying oneself at Locky Farm.
" 5 - A Skipper Butterfly (I think?).
" 6 - Stripey sunbathing on the leaf heap.
" 7 - Six Blue Tit eggs to date.
Wow, what a warm morning. Temp' reached 21c by 11.30am. However temp'dropped to 15c at 3pm with an overcast sky but we missed the showers.
Another day doing nothing other than relax and take in the beauty of the garden and of course watching bird activity. Major issues with the Starlings. Almost for sure there are young being fed but this third Starling insists on trying to bring in nest material. Real fisty cuffs this morning.
Constructive meeting with Friends of Fobney (FOB) tonight. Biggest problem is trying to maintain the reserve relying only on volunteers. Have arranged dates during the summer to meet as a group on site with the aim of dealing with some of the more desperate issues.
Picture 1 - Munching at aphids hopefully.
" 2 - Aphids.
" 3 - Mummy Tench & young sunbathing.
" 4 - Female GSW.
" 6 - These birds/ducks duck & dive every evening at 6.30pm but unable to identify?
Another cracking day. Wall to wall sunshine with again the temp' reaching a high of 18c.
A truly lazy day. After a morning Morrisons shop the rest of the day was spent watching the bird activity in the back garden. Kite still flying low over the back garden but immediately being chased away by nesting Crows.
A baby Squirrel appeared today so is busy exploring its surroundings.
Better do some work tomorrow....
A good sunny, warm day. Temp' reaching a high of 18c this afternoon.
A day sorting out the holiday photographs and reflecting on the last few days.
Garden looking good, plenty of colour. Lack of high winds and late frosts means the Magnolia and Flowering Cherry have lasted far longer than previous years.
Starlings still very active. Yet more material brought in as well as taken out? Two eggs in the Blue Tit nest so hopefully some further activity during the week.
Another good sunny day to end the holiday. A little chilly today if out of the sun.
A visit this morning to the National Memorial Arboretum where a short service and a two minutes silence is held at 11am every day of the year. This is such an important place of remembrance that I feel should be more publicised. Today was a day I could be with my own thoughts thinking of my parents and known friends who fought during WW2 not forgetting my dear Cuz, Ian who spent his working life in the Military/Police Force. A truly uplifting and spiritual place.
Picture 1 - Entrance to the NMA.
" 2 - British Legion.
" 3 - Military Police (RIP Ian).
" 4 - Polar Bear Memorial.
" 5 - Royal Air Force Police Memorial.
" 6 - Bye bye Hotel.
Another beautiful day, plenty of sun. At times a chilly breeze.
Morning coffee in Llangothlan overlooking the River Dee before boarding the Barge which was to travel on the aqueduct over the River Dee. An amazing engineering project by Thomas Telford. Beggars belief how on earth he managed such a project. The history of the build makes for a very good read. It was a mind blowing trip, railings only on one side so the whole experience was in fact somewhat scary. Brilliant.
Made a mistake of visiting Wrexham in the afternoon, what a god forsaken place this is. Nuf said. Found a rather good thatched pub in the centre of town so there I stayed until time to make our way back to the hotel.
Wrexham aside, it was another great and interesting day.
Picture 1 - River Dee at Llangothlan town centre.
" 2 & 3 - Waiting at the entrance to the aqueduct for a barge to cross. Notice how tight the space is.
Picture 4 - On our way.
" 5 - On the aqueduct showing the River Dee below. Gives you an idea of height.
" 6 - Almost at the end.
" 7 - Looking for space to moor.
" 8 - Aqueduct from below.
" 9 - Horse & Jockey in Wrexham.
More sun but with a chill today, ideal conditions for the walking, ahead of us today.
Arrived at Trentham Park mid morning in time to board the 11am sailing of an electric catamaran which sailed close to a Heronry on an Island in the large lake. Only sailed one way as wished to walk the wild part of the lake. Rich in wildlife, spotting a Duck that I have never seen before and unable to identify. My mate Doug I am sure will help me.
The lake walk finishes at the Italian gardens which have recently seen a complete makeover after 200 years of neglect. The now derelict Trentham Hall is soon to be completely re-built as was when built in 1830 and will now be a 5 star Hotel.
Could have stayed all day but was commit ed to visiting the medieval town of Nantwich. What a delightful town. Job to believe the town was re-built in 1583 after the Great Fire. I am sure Nantwich and the area is someplace I will re-visit some day.
Arrived back at the hotel late afternoon after a very enjoyable day.
Picture 1 - Canal entrance to Trentham Park.
" 2 - Heronry on one of the lakes islands.
" 3 - Just liked this perspective of the lake.
" 4 - A Leaping Frog!
" 5 - Italian Gardens looking down towards the lake.
" 6 - Trentham Hall.
" 7 - Mum & Dad Mandarin.
" 8 - Can you help me on this one Doug please.
" 9 - Nantwich Town Centre.
