At last a decent dose of sunshine

Today’s guest picture of table grapes comes from Langholm exile Tom in South Africa. He tells me that the grapes are grown in paper bags to avoid bird damage.

It was quite a bit brighter than it has been here when we got up today, but it was not sunny. Two pairs of jackdaws were perching against grey skies after breakfast.

It was still not sunny when I walked up the hill to have coffee with Sandy. However, by the time that we had sorted out the world yet again and I had started to walk home, it had turned into a lovely day.

I found Mrs Tootlepedal having coffee with Margaret when I got home. I had hoped that the garden birds would appreciate some better weather, but they were conspicuous by their absence. After a while I stopped waiting for them to appear and went off to the shop.

It was quite windy from time to time so I swithered about going for a cycle ride after lunch to such an extent that I left it too late for comfort, and went for a walk round Potholm instead.

It was a beautifully sunny day.

I passed another jackdaw who had found a treat.

Theoretically it was quite warm, but in the wind it felt chilly in spite of the sunshine. There were few birds about at the Kilngreen, and those that were there, flew away as I approached.

I had better luck with the pines across the river . . .

. . . and a bunch of snowdrops which stayed in one place at the Lodge gates.

It was refreshing to be walking in good visibility after a very dull spell, and I enjoyed the dappled light among the trees. . .

. . . and the view up the Esk valley from the North Lodge.

The sun picked out the trees beside the river below me . . .

. . . and a family of three buzzards circling around above my head.

Thanks to the gaps in the trees caused by the recent storm, a walker has new views to enjoy along the Langfauld.

As I got further up the track, I could see what looked like smoke coming from a field ahead . . .

. . . but as I could hear the sounds of a tractor, I think it might have been a case of lime or fertiliser being applied. It showed that I might have been wise to avoid cycling in the brisk breeze that was whipping up the cloud.

Further up the valley, the brutality of the forestry workings could be seen.

I turned away to enjoy the golden colour of larches catching the sun . . .

. . . and a bank of snowdrops at Potholm when I had come down the hill.

I crossed the river by the bridge at Potholm . . .

. . . and enjoyed the contrast between the rows of green turnips . . .

. . . and the ones on the other side of the temporary fence which were providing feed for sheep.

I had set out a bit late for my walk. The sun was already sinking behind the hills . . .

. . . and my side of the valley was now in permanent shade as I walked past Milnholm Farm.

For once, I didn’t stop and look at lichen on the wall beside the road, but I did stop for a good chat with a farmer who who was out checking his stock. We considered how dry it has been, the lack of birds, the number of badgers and buzzards about, the clipping of hedges, and a variety of other interesting things before I went on my way, nodding to one of the stock . . .

. . .and bustling on to get home in time for a cup of tea and a slice or two of ginger cake.

Mrs Tootlepedal was still busy making curtains when I got in. It is a big task.

In retrospect, I should perhaps have gritted my teeth and gone for a cycle ride, because the weather for the next few days looks very uncertain and much windier. Still, it was most agreeable to have a mainly sunny walk so I won’t complain (a very rare thing for me).

Since this was my second five mile walk in two days, I think that I can safely say that my knee is fully recovered. Whether it will survive another volunteering session tomorrow at the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve remains to be seen.

I was certainly well exercised enough to let the rest of the day drift away uneventfully.

In the absence of flying garden birds, and with the Kilngreen gulls rudely flying off, four more pictures of the Langfauld buzzards make up the flying bird of the day. It is surprising how much the the camera thinks that the colour of the sky changes as you turn around to follow the birds.