An Afternoon Stroll

[Ann]

On the opposite side of the road from my house, there's a public footpath, which meanders through fields and farms for miles. Ann from Winlaton is staying with me for a couple of days and the weather was so nice this afternoon, that we took ourselves out for a stroll along it.

The farmer's fields are quite near to my house. Hard lines on any hay fever sufferers this year, the 2 fields you can see are both vast and full of oil seed rape.



The cowslips are out in my garden and they're out here too. Somehow they look much more at home growing in the wild.



We found some wild primroses too.



We were hoping when we got to the first farm, that the horses would be in the nearest field. They breed "Thelwell" horses there, specially for riding schools and at this time of year, you can often see all the babies. Sadly they were in a distant field, too far away for any shots. At the second farm, we did come across a few calves. This is a shot of the youngest. I think that's Mum on the left.



Just beyond the second farm is Holywell Dene. It's a long time since I've been there at this time of year, and I wondered if it was still full of bluebells. Sure enough...



Finally, this is my favourite shot. I was trying for a close up of the clover, but got a lot more than I expected.



All told, we were out for about 3 hours, so two pairs of feet were tingling when we finally got back home.

[Edda]

Very nice!

[Maria]

It looks like a lovely walk, Ann (or should I say: 3 hour 'stroll'!!).

The pictures of the bluebells and clover are pretty. I love bluebell woods and often seek them out this time of year. We found a beautiful one once during a drive along tiny country lanes in Kent. It was miles from anywhere and there were acres and acres of woodland covered in a dusky blue carpet. It was like a Monet painting. Typically, I had no camera on me and as we were on a 'mystery drive' I have no idea exactly where we were and we have never been able to find them again since.
Maria

Maria

[Ann]

We actually came back via the local Sainsbury's, so part of the "stroll" was around the aisles there.

You'll find that one of the great things about a digital camera, apart from being able to see the pics immediately you get back home, is that after a while, it becomes automatic to put it in your pocket whenever you're going out anywhere.

[Chris]

Great photos Ann, you're very lucky to have that beautiful countryside at your doorstep, so to speak.

[gill]

Aah happy memories of Holywell dene....I spent many a happy hour down there in my birdwatching/natural history days Weird thing is, I can't remember seeing bluebells yet they were obviously there!!! How bizarre!!! LOL Just have to go down that way in the next few weeks and go and have a look.

Best thing about your photos Ann is that I KNOW the area ;D and can't wait to get back there!
We used to live in Whitley Bay, just around the corner from Cullercoats and often used to go for lovely long strolls along the sea front....always something new to see there, isn't there?
I used to think nothing of walking from Cullercoats, along to Whitley Bay, up to St Mary's Lighthouse and along the cliffs to Seaton Sluice...not sure exactly how far that is but your feet DO throb when you finally get home - yet you never notice it whilst you are walking

Gill

[Lesley]

very beautiful photos!
the kids and i love nature walks - wish we were close to such a lovely area!

lesley

p.s. this thread is saying its may -
worried - thought i missed a few birthdays

[gill]

hellokitty said:

p.s. this thread is saying its may

That's just me Lesley....I was browsing last night through previous pages that had been posted over the past couple of years.
So don't worry - you are NOT losing your mind and nor have you missed any birthdays....the thread was from May 2004

Gill