Mid December Walk and Festive Reading

Mist hung low over the trees and fields, the air was damp, drips fell from the branches and it was cold.  It didn't take long for feet and fingers to feel numb so we didn't walk as far as we had planned.

It was quite muddy in places and slippery too

There wasn't a soul about.  A woman with two dogs in the car park as we arrived, toweling them down after a muddy walk and one man unloading his electric cycle as we returned.  We passed him later on our way home just near the farm where two large camels had been added to their collection of birds and animals which include water buffalo, emus, rhias and reindeer.  I must look for when they have their open days next year.

The water in the lakes looked cold but not frozen.

There were a group of Goosanders on the lake.  Apparently the collective noun for a group of Goosanders is a 'dopping.'

Male and female Goosander according to the RSPB website. Talking of the RSPB I've just registered to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch again in January so that is something to look forward to in the dark winter days ahead.

As we stood looking over the lake a heron flew in and landed in a nearby tree.  Almost immediately after a jay flew over the lake and disappeared into the woodlands.

The mud was slippiest around the stiles and gates.

Three different types of fungus on one branch.

On through the winter trees it was getting colder and colder.

Winter trees against the cold looking sky.

An Oak Gall

Female Pheasant on a fence 

and a male pheasant scooping up seed from under the bird feeders.  We sat in the car for a while drinking warm coffee from a flask.  There were lots of birds taking seeds from the feeders including Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Sparrows, Chaffinches and Nuthatches.  Under the feeders with the Pheasant were one or two Dunnocks who, from a distance, looked like little brown mice running around.

 

Back home little has been done about Christmas as yet.  I sent cards and letters over a week ago and this last week we have received lots of lovely cards in return, some with letters inside. It's good to keep in contact with friends and family.  The tree is still in its box and the deorations are in theirs no doubt we will get around to putting the two together over the next day or two.  

I have a couple of books on Kindle to read which hopefully will help make me feel slightly more festive.

I'm enjoying Annie Gray's book about the history and customs behind our Christmas food and how it has changed over the centuries.  So far I've read about Boar's heads, Mince Pies and Gingerbread.  It's an absolutely fascinating read and so well written and researched.

 

I haven't read a book by the above author before but I'm looking forward to it. Country house, Christmas Day and people trapped in by heavy snowfall, a murderer in their midst  It sounds to have the right elements.

 

On the ipad I have two books on loan from the library.  Well, more than two as there are three Ryder and Loveday books in one loan.  I read the first three books in this series a while ago and decided to loan the next ones.  The books are set in 1960/61 in Oxford and I'm enjoying them.  Janice Hallett is another author I haven't read before and this one kept popping up in recommendations so I thought I would try it.

Well that's all for now, below is a still from the wildlife camera which we left out overnight one day last week.

Mr Fox and Mr Badger sharing the lawn.