Today’s guest picture is a second from my brother’s trip to Tamworth. As well as the colourful gardens, he enjoyed the contrast between the Tamworth’s ancient bridge and the modern buildings behind it.
We woke up to sunshine. It was hard to believe but it was undoubtedly there. After breakfast, I went out into the garden to enjoy it.
The sunflowers looked more cheerful too.
The sedum is getting flushed with pink…
…and the last of the poppies are still hanging on…
…but a nasturtium, positively sparkling with joy, took the prize.
There were even a few butterflies about. The red admirals seem to like resting on hosta leaves to gather warmth.
Sadly, the sunshine didn’t last for long and we were soon back to gusty winds and frequent rain showers. I made some potato soup for lunch and while it was cooking, Mrs Tootlepedal noticed a jackdaw making free with our plums. The miscreant tried to hide behind a leaf when it saw us looking at it, but the well pecked plum in front of it was a giveaway.
In light of the poor weather, I devoted the afternoon to musical matters until Mike Tinker dropped in for a cup of tea (and the last of the biscuits).
It was still raining off and on when he went, but I was confident that the worst was behind us and I persuaded Mrs Tootlepedal to come out for a short walk when it had finally stopped.
I carried an umbrella just in case but I had no need for it, as the evening turned out to be much like the early morning.
We passed a large number of ducks on the banks of the Ewes Water as we went along the Kilngreen…
…and there was an old friend there too.
We walked across the Sawmill Brig and onto the Castleholm. It was looking lush and green…
…and the Lodge Walks had a refreshed look about them too.
The gaps along the side of the Walks, where trees have been taken out, have made room for wild saplings to spring up. Mrs Tootlepedal tells me that this is an ash.
Even when the mature trees are still there, views can be gained by peering through the branches.
We were passed by some traffic and looking back as it passed us, I wondered of whom it reminded me. But there were too many choices so I stopped wondering and walked on.
We went past the Lodge and came back down the other side of the Castleholm. One of my favourite trees looks at its best at this time on a sunny evening.
Looking across at the trees that line the Lodge walks, it was apparent that autumn is on its way as the leaves are just starting to lose a little colour here and there.
In the shade beside the paths on our way home, I could see red campion…
…and snowberries.
After the gloom of the last few days, a sunny walk was most welcome and we had worked up an appetite for the rest of the sausage stew and some courgette fritters for our tea. They went down well.
No flying bird of the day today. Indeed this bird looks as though it has hardly got a feather to fly with.
Tootlepedal's Blog 
I’ve been seeing and hearing about lots of super tall sunflowers this year.
Nice shot of the sparkly nasturtium. That’s a hard color to manage on a good day.
It’s nice to see Mr. Grumpy and the views are beautiful but I’m not so crazy about those already changing trees. I’ve heard a lot about their kind recently too.
I had to wear an extra layer when I went cycling today for the first time (apart from rain jackets of course) for some months.
The nasturtium is a beauty! I also was very amused at the photo of the guilty jackdaw.
We fearlessly name the guilty in this blog.
I can imagine at least two fluffy haired blond chaps that you might have been thinking of as the horse’s…behind.
Really?
A wonderful shot of the sunflowers, shot from below. I like the way the petals are folded in against the dark centre of the tallest plant. As always, the photo of the Lodge Walks makes me want to enter the photo and start walking – such an inviting road!
It is, and it changes so much with the light and the seasons that it is hard to resist taking yet another picture of it.
Beautiful scenic photographs – glad you fitted in such a lovely walk.
We were pleased to find a rain free moment.
Fortunately, this is a banner year for plums, which means there are plenty for both humans and jackdaws. Lovely, lovely walk.
We can spare some for the birds too.
That bird looks poorly
He does look unwell. I don’t think they molt at this time of year.
We tend to get more wasp than bird damage in our own plums. The surprised jackdaw hiding behind a leaf beside his partially eaten plum is a priceless photo! Birds do that with apples here, drilling the top of the apple come late September and October. From the ground, it looks like a perfectly good apple, as I can’t see their handiwork. When I climb up and pick it, I get splashed with water in the face if there has been a recent rain which fills the drilled out part on top. I swear I can hear the birds laughing nearby.
I quite believe about the laughing birds. We expected to get a lot of wasp damage as there were quite a few about a week or to ago but they seem to have disappeared. This is a good thing as picking plums which turn out to have wasps in them is not a fun occupation.
Loved going with you on your sunny walk, excellent photographs and accompanying text.
Enjoyed walking with you through your lovely photos . Many pretty views and vistas to see especially through Lodge Walks. Mr Grumpy looks quite relaxed and happy for him but that poor Mrs Blackbird looks very sad…oh dear!
I have seen more cheerful looking birds, I admit.
Those lodge walks are beautiful, are cyclists allowed to pedal through?
They are and I occasionally do.
” I wondered of whom it reminded me. ” I could easily add a bunch of choices for you! 😀
We are not short of candidates on either side of the Atlantic.
Nice to see an appearance from Mr. Grumpy!
I am always pleased to see him.