A Windy Walk

Although it was wet and very windy today, I indulged in a walk into town, deciding to not rush around (as I would normally) but the amble along and take in some of the Natural world around me.  It was a delight.  Seeing Hawthorns Crataegus monogyna, Wych Elm Ulmus glabra, English Elm Ulmus procera (with the round green papery seeds with the acutal seed in the middle), along with my old friend the Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea, also saw the Groundsell Senecio vulgaris in several places, most noticably in one of the many car parks.

When looking up I spotted several immature  Herring Gull Larus argentatus with their brown plummage, the ubiquitous Magpie Pica pica, a few Rooks Corvus frugilegus, Starlings Sturnus vulgaris, House Sparrows Passer domesticus, and several female Chaffinches Fringilla coelebs.

It is really quite astounding how many different species of plant, tree, and bird you can see in a relative short walk.  Perhaps it is something we should all do once in a while. :-)

Hops at the end of our lane

Well last night as I walked down our lane, which is next to a field we saw some hops growing in a hedge. Mixed in with brambles, nettles, and elderberries were the flakey green spheres that I recognised as hops. We cut a few and are drying them out for the beautiful aroma.