We are ten days into January already and I can't really say that we have done anything positive, just a bit of walking, a bit of shopping, some reading but no gardening as it is still far too wet. A few days ago, I'm not sure what day other than that it rained all day, the paths were flooded and the pond overflowing. The paths have dried out now although the grass is still squelching underfoot. We took a walk in the local park one day when the sky was blue.
I've just been into the garden and taken a layer of ice from the top of the bird baths. The bird feeders are being emptied every day by loads of goldfinches (we counted 60 at one point up in the trees just over the top hedge) plus a few blue tits, great tits and long tailed tits. There are several blackbirds about today and also collard doves. Crows and Magpies have been calling in the distance and both owls and foxes can be heard in the small hours. Wood pigeons have started calling in the early morning just as the heating jumps and stutters into life. Today it is sunny but very cold and windy.
Last week we had a little walk around Leek where I took a few photos. It was quiet but thankfully dry. After a coffee and a look at an exhibition at the Foxlowe Arts Centre we walked around the park and back up the cobbled path to St Edward's church.
Later the same week we walked at Tretham Gardens. It was quite misty as we arrived and it took some time for the sun to burn it away. The mist made for some atmospheric photos around the lake.
All for now.
What great photos, especially the Trentham ones and that amazing family gathering, that was a real find. Maybe you should get a large print done to put on your wall, I could look at it for ages. What a lot of goldfinches! We've had lots of long tailed tits swooping in together to eat the fat balls and then swooping off again. It's so cold for them.😊
ReplyDeleteThank you CK. I love the long-tailed tits, one of my favourites of the garden visitors. The family in the photo are on my paternal grandmother's side, she was an Edwards. The clothes are wonderful aren't they, Many would be home made I expect:)
DeleteHow amazing to see so many goldfinches. Sadly I never see them now I've only got a small garden in a village.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue. When we first moved here over twenty years ago we had mostly greenfinches visit now it is goldfinches, they have been very succesful over the years. To see a greenfinch is a treat. How times change, flocks of starlings seem to have disappeared too:)
DeleteThe year is flying by already isn't it? Great family photo - I wish we could get some of the beautiful clothes and hats back in fashion. The misty photos are really beautiful. X
ReplyDeleteThank you Simone, yes the days are moving by so quickly I sometimes have to think hard about what day it is. I love the photo, so many different faces. Makes me sad too as a world war wasn't very far around the corner to change all their lives. My great grandmother lived to see to outbreak of the second one too:)
DeleteGentle pottering...I like that, Rosie. It is a great description of some winter days.
ReplyDeleteThank you Granny Sue, I think we need those gentle pottering days to get us through the darkness of January:)
DeleteSuper photos Rosie especially the one with the long shadows and the atmospheric misty photos of the lake. You've been out more than me this year although we did go in search of an ancient monument locally this afternoon but its the first time I've ventured out for ages. Good to get out though as I felt much more better afterwards - must make the effort to do it more often! Lovely to see your old family photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline. I've not taken many photos but have been pleased with the ones I have. The ancient monument sounds interesting. We only pop out locally as many areas we might have visited a bit further afield, like in Derbyshire, have had bad flooding. Such a shame. I always feel better for a walk each day if we can manage it:)
DeleteEach day merges into another during January although there have been opportunities to get out for a walk. Mostly I've been pottering at home putting new family photos in an album, knitting a scarf etc. Your family photo is interesting as dresses back then were so elegant. Your views during your walk around the lake are very atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, a gentle walk and a bit of pottering around the home before the light disappears is a good way of getting through January. Keeping busy with interesting things too helps. The misty lake was quite beautiful:)
DeleteNice to be able to get out when the weather permits & I always read your blog, but having so many problems with laptop/computer, but as long a I take the time on the PC, I am able to leave a comment on some blogs. Must get back to blogging too. The family photo is something isn't it. Take care, stay warm & safe. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan, glad you can still visit and comment. I read on a blog somewhere and I can't remember which one now that sometimes it helps to use Chrome as a browser to comment on blogger blogs, I've tried this with a few blogs I couldn't comment on and it has worked, except for one. Hope you do get back to blogging soon. Take care:)
DeleteGetting out for a walk is good when you can. You have some lovely places to visit. The lake photos are gorgeous. The old family photo is a real look back in time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lorrie, we are lucky to have so many lovely places close by so we don't have to travel too far in the winter. I love old photos and have quite a few. I'm trying to get most of them in digital form as well before I need to find new homes for the originals:)
DeleteBurrrr, looks cold on your walk; but good for you to get out and move. It's hard to do it this time of year when things are wet and cold. Wonderful photo's of lake with the fog. And your family photo is fantastic. I have some old ones, but too many people aren't identified. I'm sure when families get this photo's done everyone knows who's who...but years later there are mysteries. Still nice to have them though. Old photo's have such a feel to them. Have you found any of your ancestors that look like you? I like to scan the photo's so I can see them enlarged on the computer and see who looks like who.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy, another relative has identified about eight of the people on the photo but half of them would be the bride's family and we don't know who they are apart from the bride of course. I think I look most like my grandmother on the other side of the family:)
DeleteOh I will have to check out those books. Love the misty photos. Certainly you have to make the most of the good days. Lucky you to see so many goldfinches. One of my favourites. B x
ReplyDeleteThank you B. We have loads of Goldfinches around all the gardens and also we've seen them up over the nearby fields and nature reserve. They seem to be doing very well at the moment:)
DeleteA lovely gentle start to the year for you Rosie. Those photos at Trentham are wonderful and the mist has given just the right atmospheric feel. It is good that there are so many birds visiting your garden and others locally.
ReplyDeleteGreat family photo to treasure. I have a few of my family from the early 1900's too.
Have a good week x
Thank you Beverley, I have loads of old photos that I must sort out and find a home for. They are lovely to look back on aren' t they? You can be sure that all the birds will disappear the weekend of the garden bird count. Hope you too have a good week:)
DeleteIf ever proof was needed, your pictures illustrate that a bright, sunny day does not yield the most interesting results. These photographs are superb.
ReplyDeleteThank you David, I prefer duller days for photos, the sun can be quite challenging:)
Delete