On another fine spring morning I took a walk to Shorefield Country Park and back.
Before arriving at the end of the back drive I photographed
a few tulips
and bunches of daffodils.
A cerulean Christchurch Bay could be seen from the entrance to Roger Cobb’s top field on Downton Lane.
Further down the road, what looked like a transparent bouquet wrapper added sparkle to the blackthorn.
I saw this because I had turned down the steeper slope from which I had reversed my steps on my last trip. This time I carried Elizabeth’s stick which helped my balance.
I had intended to continue to the end of Downton Lane, but the raucous cawing of rooks emanating from the otherwise deserted Shorefield Country Park became siren calls to the rookery that I knew would be
down a footpath from Shorefield Road to a collection of wooden holiday homes.
The red railed bridge at the far end of the picture I produced on the downward slope traverses the same stream as that crossed by the little road bridge in the image preceding that one.
The damp nature of the terrain is evidenced by the flora flanking the footpath.
It looks as if the corvine colony is at the nest building stage.
Whoever has reduced the 10 m.p.h. limit on Shorefield Road is a fan of Harry Potter.
Jackie’s savoury rice, stuffed as it is with red and yellow peppers and peas for colour; and onions, mushrooms, egg, and garlic for flavour, is a meal in itself. This evening she served it with spicy hot chilli con carne with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Valréas.
Looks very spring-like!
Yes. Many thanks, Sheree
Daffodils looks gorgeous. Oh, it looks like spring has arrived.
Yep. Thanks very much, Drew
Lovely photos as always, Derrick, that speed sign is fun! You sure eat well, must be nice to have a chef in the house. 😎🙂🇬🇧
Sure is, John. Thanks very much.
I am a certified Potterhead, Derrick, what’s with reading and watching it with a younger son and five grandchildren, one after another, so I can truly appreciate the 9 3/4 speed limit.
🙂 It was an 8 year old neighbour who first explained the platform to me, Dolly. Thank you very much.
What we learn from kids…
You are very welcome, Derrick.
A fine spring day for a walk, Derrick! I have enjoyed the views of your area.
Give our best to Jackie. All are still well here. 🙂
Will do, Lavinia. Thank you very much. Pleased you are OK
Derrick, you should read the books, they are gripping. I first began reading these to son Joss when he was a little boy. I ended up taking them to bed with me for my own bedtime reading!
I’m sure they are Sue. I have actually seen all the films. I have too many others unread on my shelves.
Unusually, the films did justice to the books!
So my experts tell me.
That sign sure made me laugh.
Thanks very much, Laurie. It was 10 m.p.h. before.
That made me laugh.
The country lanes are lovely, and that is a lot crow’s nests.
Jackie’s rice dish sounds delicious!
Thanks very much, Merril. Rooks, I think.
The Harry Potter wag reminds me of the sign in Moscow (which the authorities removed several times before reluctantly giving in and allowing it to stay that references Bulgakov’s ‘Master and Margarita’ …. ‘Don’t talk to Strangers’ it says, referencing the Devil who walks amongst the muscovite people in the novel …. I walked miles and miles round and round in circles to find it. I would walk miles to find yours too. And I would happily walk that walk which has made me happy!
Thank you very much, Osyth.
Great sequence – you have Spring :D. Our snow heaps are still receding & lakes are beginning to thaw. Southern Ontario didn’t have a consistent winter & they are much further ahead.
Looks like more than 19 corvids in the tree. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
I’ll take your word for it, Joseph. 🙂 Thanks very much.
Lots of nests!! I didn’t realise Crows were that social. Great sign 😀
I think they are rooks, Pauline – for that reason. Thanks very much.
Ah – thank you 🙂
Great Spring Photos Derrick, and a great speed limit sign. Nice to see there is still room for humour.
Thanks a lot, Quercus
I have seen funny speed limit signs all over the world and once, when I asked a policeman explained them to me. The odd numbers, like 9 3/4 stick in peoples mind, they remember not just the speed limit but also where it was. On the contrary, most of us overlook speed signs with familiar numbers.
These are the first I’ve seen. Just 1/4 less than previously. Thanks very much, Bridget.
What a gorgeous day to be out and about. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos. Having never read or seen Harry Potter, I can’t comment, but I trust it’s funny. 🙂
Platform 9 3/4 at London’s Kings Cross is key to the books. I commuted from that station to Newark, Nottinghamshire for 19 years and knew the imagined spot well. Thanks very much, Jill
Thanks for the explanation, Derrick!
What a lovely walk you took today.
Thanks very much, Sue. It was 55 minutes with steep slopes so I was pleased to have managed it.
Ha! Love that speed limit sign, very clever! 🙂
Thanks very much, M.B. This was in the Spam.
Comments on my page do that too sometimes! Silly wordpress 🙂 Hope you’re well
We are fine, thank you, M.B. I often find regulars in the Spam – not just you.
I like the sign and your willingness to tackle hills.
Much appreciated, Tootlepedal. Thank you for understanding.
How lovely to have a view of the sea within walking distance. I noticed yesterday a crow with a mouthful of nesting material, so crows on both sides of the Atlantic are about the business of homesteading.
Thank you very much, Lisa.
Happy spring. Love the sign.
Thanks very much, Peggy.
That was a great walk for you. And right on your doorstep. Like many others, I laughed out loud at the sign.
🙂 Thanks very much, Gwen.
“Corvine colony”–I like that and a nice way to describe such industrious but also raucous, scheming, dive bombing hordes…:) Or perhaps rooks are gentler towards humans…. Nests aplenty–they have been busy! Excellent that you get out to walk so much. I do enjoy your countryside a great deal.
Thank you very much, Cynthia. I’m pleased.
Looked like a good day.
It was, Mrs W. Thanks very much.
Your welcome.
Your part of England always looks so undisturbed, Derrick. It could be any time of the 20th or 21st century. Lovely to see.
Hope you’re well.
Thank you very much, Val. John Knifton, in his comments, says that rookeries can last for centuries if left alone. I trust you are well.
I’m okay, thanks, Derrick. I didn’t realise that about rookeries.
Perhaps the signpost offers a speedy access to the platform harbouring Hogwarts Express. It is hilarious to the core. Perhaps those raven or Dementors? Thanks for those peepholes to tranquillity.
Rookeries, if farmers leave them alone, can last for centuries. One that Charles Dickens wrote about is apparently still there.
Thanks very much, John. That is useful confirmation.
Is wonderful that you can enjoy such beautiful nature just outside your house 😉
Beautiful Derrick!
Thank you very much, Ribana
Some fence panels need attention. Love the road sign!
The fence panels were well spotted, Andrew. Thanks very much.
I am a fence expert right now – third day of painting!
🙂
I loved the Harry Potter reference with the 93/4. You have a keen eye for details.
Thank you very much, Geetha
Those sunny tulips just make my day. We have crocus here, but tulips haven’t bloomed yet. Wonderful!
Thank you very much, Rose
Positively idyllic! Love the photos of the backlit irises. (At least that’s what I think they are…)
I think you are right, Anna. Thank you very much.
Clever signage!
Thanks very much, Leslie
What a treat to the eyes from a new follower of your blog in Arizona. We are just awash in yellow blooms of every cactus and desert shrub, terrible for allergies, but at least it is a riot of color. But oh, the lushness of green which I so miss having grown up in Michigan. Thanks so much for sharing such an abundance of beauty. Susan Alcantara
Thank you very much, Susan
A beautiful walk and so want one of those Potter signs in our village.
They are fun. Thanks very much, Gary.
Excellent series. You see that spring is in the air.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
In one of the Harry Potter books, Dumbledore says, “But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
You and Jackie…your photos, your words…are light in this dark time. Thank you!
(((HUGS))) and <3 🙂
I agree… Derrick, your photos and words are a light in these dark and not-yet-spring times here in Montana. I, too, thank you! <3
Thank you very much, Jan X
And thank you for such an apt quotation, Carolyn X
I’m glad you carried Elizabeth’s stick to help your balance. Walking sticks can be very cool. I’m not sure about the Harry Potter realm, but I can imagine you as Gandalf in LOTR with a magic walking staff. 🙂
🙂 The imaginary platform 9 3/4 at London’s King’s Cross station was key to the magic world. With all the barbers closed my hair will probably get long enough again. Thank you very much, Joanna.
‘9 3/4’ – love it!!! 😀
Thanks very much, Widders
Thanks for the walk Derrick.
And thank you, Lindsey.
I was very happy to see the return of my favorite color palette of your landscape in the third picture from the top.
🙂 Thank you very much, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick!
Thank you very much for the the share
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks very much azsyerrah.