Today we took a trip to The Lickey Hills south of Birmingham we didn't make the seaside today as we were running late but hey! this was the next best thing and without having to have a 2hr drive. The hills are covered by a mosaic of mixed deciduous woodland, conifer plantations and heathland, all are rich in a variety of wildlife. There are fine views of The City of Birmingham below and the surrounding Worcestershire countryside its hard to imagine that over one millions human inhabitants lived below us with so few people round us up on the hills. The Lickey Hills is one of my favorite local country parks and I always find it peaceful sitting on top surveying the cityscape in the distance. The day was very mild for a late September day and the sun shone for us a little. We worked up quite a sweat climbing and I was out of breath by the time we reached the top, a reason to give up the cigarettes. I have visited the hills both on my own and in company on many occasions and have always had a pleasant experience. I do believe my Mum and Dad used to do a bit of courting up there years ago. The autumn colours are starting to kick in a little now and there was wonderful smell of pine mixed in with the dank earthy smell that becomes prominent this time of year. There was a wonderful display of mushrooms with all the alien shapes they make. Cocoa and Spritz had a ball and a really exciting time chasing each other through the heaths fern and purple heather. Saturday saw us in Stratford by The River Avon with our friend Teresa and her dog Storm and our two. We had a bit of an incident with Cocoa and Spritz falling in who we had to drag out by there collars. It made a bit of a conversation piece with the American tourist couple who we had a little chat with and a group of Germans who found it amusing. After our Stratford visit we headed off back to Teresa's for a fine supper that did her proud and the Tiramasu was delicious. It wasn't the weekend we had planned it just seemed to mushroom and evolve into a different one but was very pleasant all the same. To see our latest walk in The Lickey Hills please click on the links below.
Lickey Photos
Lickey Slide Show
Been enjoying the last days of summer. The autumnal equinox is tomorrow September 22 at 7.00pm or there abouts, I would have to look up the exact time on a pagan calendar. So that means the days are spilt equally now between day and night. Its not been a bad last week of summer temperatures have been good and rather warm especially today but with a strong breeze coming from the tail end of hurricane Gordon. Hurricane Gordon is a tropical storm hence the warm wind. Looks like a decent weekend ahead sofar so we are planned on heading off to the coast to give the dogs a good run round on the beach and a dip in the sea. We are looking after my cousins dog at the moment while he is away with his wife on holiday in France. Coco there dog is a big black German Shepard and is good company. We are all getting along fine apart from the odd jealously scrap between him and our own dog Spritz but 99% of the time they play nicely. So we have had plenty of nice evening walks out. Last week end seen us getting a apple harvest together from our friends Dave and Michelle's garden which was pleasant. Didn't win our apple press on ebay but have managed to get some juice out of some apples to make a bit of scrumpy the rest can go for juice , apple sauce and a nice apple pie or crumble with fresh cream for pudding some nights. On our travels through Warwickshire last week we took a trip to some friends near Stratford and picked up some computer bits kindly donated and then did a nice sunset evening walk by the race course and The River Avon and Green Way. A fun day Sunday driving round the village of Corley just a mile from home for the annual scarecrow show. We drove round taking as many photos as we could some of the scarecrows where very imaginative and people had put a lot of effort into making them. So thank you residents of Corley for our amusing fun day. Tomorrow may see us again in The Derbyshire Dales which is a favorite excursion of ours. Looking forward now to the colorful autumn display that will be taking place over the coming weeks and hoping to get some inspirational pictures. So that is it for this blog entry. Be sure an visit the new photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/houghtonabout/ by clicking on this link. There you will find all the latest. The most recent set being Green Way Corley And Apple Harvest.
Addios Amigos.
I had forgotten how lovely The Peaks where until I had started visiting again recently. I do remember going in my youth and doing a bit of rock climbing and spending a weekend walking in Edale which was a little bit further north then we were today. My dad also used to take us annually to Matlock, Abraham Heights and the lit boat parade along The River Derwent.
Today we took a afternoon drive to a place we had just touched on earlier on in the week and decided to explore it a little further today. We went to Monsal Head a nice little beauty spot in The Derbyshire Dales. We ventured up on the peaks with great views over the surrounding countryside before walking over Monsal Bridge a impressive disused railway line viaduct come walking trail. Then it was down into the valley with the meandering river Wye cutting its way through the core. The valley was very lush green with plenty of grazing herds of my favorite cow the charolais which where enjoying basking in the late warm summer sunshine. We walked a long part of the river and Spritz and I took time to paddle in the clear river and cool my feet from walking while she chased ducks. We crossed a few bridges and came a upon two big weirs that dropped away sharply with the thundering sound of white pummeling water hitting the rocks below the force of which once would have powered the mills along the river bank. Finally we ended up at a lovely part of the river and gorge where the rugged crops of limestone and trees and peaks above reflected in the still waters of a place called Water Cum Jolly. Water Cum Jolly was a pretty little tranquil place and a haven for bird life and there was a few pairs of majestic swans gliding across the water breaking the stillness and sending ripples of beaming sunlight from above on the half shady half sunny cove. We saw some climbers tackling the limestone craggy cliffs above and a few ballons drifting overhead making the most of the early evenings thermals to get about.
Then sadly time had beat us for today and it was time for the journey home after a rather lovely afternoon outing.
Monsal Dale Photos Link
MonsalDale Slide Show Link
Gosh it as been over a month now since my last post. August as been a rather disappointing month weather wise but it didn't stop us getting out and about. Have done quiet a few nice walks with my cousin Paul his family and dog coco round and about. We have also been enjoying the harvest and been very much enjoying gathering in the fruits of the season including apples, blackberry, elderberry, raspberries and hazelnuts. Have a bid on ebay at moment for a fruit and cider press so fingers crossed we may win that and may make some nice juices and a bit of cider. There is a delicious and bumper crop of tomatoes that we have also been enjoying cooking eating and sharing with friends. Jon and his mum have also had a good crop of grapes.
Early August saw us in Somerset and a visit to Cheddar Gorge Caves and the long stretch of beach at Bream which was most enjoyable and was great to see the faces on our friends children as it was there first trip to the seaside; a fun day for all of us. The month also included a trip to Sutton Cheeeny and the battlefields for a delicious out door picnic.
We are still doing the dog training but are at the end of our summer months now so everything moves into the church hall from next week until Easter. No sign of Autumn yet the first week in September as had a real summer feel and as been exceptionally warm , sunny and dry so far apart from the day we went to a BBQ but that's sods law.
This week took us to the Derbyshire Dales to the moody and surreal Stanton Moor where we climbed a few rocks rolled in the heather and met some hippy types at a stone circle. People have worshipped and used the moor for some 4'000 years apparently but sadly may become under threat of new mining. Then we went onto the lovely and impressive Monsal Dale Valley it was dusk when we arrived so going back for a longer walk before end of summer maybe tomorrow. The day ended with a view of a lunar eclipse which added to the final ambiance to a rather unusual unplanned day. Looking forward to getting out and capturing the colours of the autumn. Then it skates on and cinema season over the winter months. So till next time bye 4 now.
Stanton Moor and Monsal Dale Valley Pictures
Stanton Moor And Monsal dale Valley Slide Show.
