Raspberries

Thought I would go for a walk up Howarth Road early on this aft, as soon as I got outside I noticed the rather pungent smell of privet blossom drifting across from a huge tree over on the back field. Ragwort is now flowering everywhere, complete with stripey caterpillars of the cinnabar moth.

Where Howarth Road approaches Mosely Road are raspberry canes at each side of the track. They are quite late developing this year, normally they are in full fruit the first week in July, now it is almost August. Anyway, I filled a tupperware container with them. They were delicious with fresh cream on!!!

It was a funny sort of day, dull as anything yet very muggy. Preferable to being chilly though. At least this weekend is not expected to be cold. Have already started packing my rucksack and tucker bag.

Tuesday 20th july

Left Burnley on the 11-50 train to Hebden Bridge, the sky looked rather doubtful so I had packed my waterproof in my rucksack, though it wasnt in the least bit cold. On arrival went up to the archery place, then past the bowling green to Midgehole.Since last I was round there the nettles had grown considerably, and so had rosebaywillow herb and speedwell.

Climbing up the probably 1in 2 slope up to Heptonstall was a hairy experience, all I had on my feet were sandals, so I had to grope from boulder to boulder and hope not to slip on the soggy patches in between where I could see previous skid marks. Eventually I arrived on the main road jst before the village, ready for a home cooked pub lunch which was very enjoyable. A couple of village cats joined me, 2 sisters, recently neutered, one stripey and the other black.

 

After leaving the pub I walked across the field to Lumb Bank where my daughter did a writing course last year, and then down into Colden Clough where the Colden Mill used to be.I continued on a path to the right of the stream but after about a hundred yards the track became too dangerous to continue on. I retraced my steps and joined a pack horse track on the left which leads to Colden village. At least this track was safe underfoot. On both sides it was lined with both heather and bilberry, the latter of which was in fruit. I met an elderly lady who had gathered a whole container of them to make pies with. She said it was the second day she had gone out picking them. Because of the humidity down in the valley they ripen quicker than up on the moors.Around Burnley on the moorland they still have to ripen. On the latter part of the track on the right hand side I saw a stone amongst the bilberries, about 3 foot high, mostly covered in bracken.Whether this was an old standing stone or an old waymarker I want able to ascertain.. Eventually I reached  Jack Bridge and the New Delight Inn, had a drink ouside but the sky was getting darker  so caught the 4-30 bus back the Hebden bridge rather than risk the soaking that had been forecast.

 

today

Hi all, was busy looking out of my window this afternoon when I spied something reddish in the honeysuckle across the road at the end house. At first i thought it was a robin but soon realised it was a bullfinch. The last one I saw round here was about 3 years ago.

 

Hopefully the weather will soon improve, yesterday was St Swithins day, 40 days of rain just doesnt appeal. Am soon off to Ripon for 3 days for the Oakleaf camp. There are still very few raspberries and gooseberries not quite ripe yet. Ragwort is now in bloom with big hairy caterpillars crawling on them.

 

Older entries

If anyone would like to read older entries, they are still there, just go to older entries and type in May 2004, which is when I started writing the notes.

The weather has been awful, so havent been out and about a great deal. However I did go for a short walk up Healey Heights today. Saw great swatches of cerise fireweed growing up on the slopes, (roasebay willow herb) mixed in with the paler pink thistle flowers. No sign yet of billberries plus raspberries are very late this year. Even my gooseberries are not quite ripe.

 

A horse named Blue

Seeing as yesterday was sunny and warm I spent some time in the community garden. This site was begun 2 years ago from a derelict area which had been used for tipping. Its website address is Healeywood-garden.150m.com.

Hours of hard work and effort have been put into this project, and it is looking a treat.I spent time dead heading roses and other plants and whilst doing so noticed a huge white stallion up on the delph, looking for all the world like a unicorn sylhouetted against the sky. Many times he has got out of his pen along with a white shetland pony, local people would take water up in buckets for him, especially in hot weather.

 

This morning when I got up onto the delph to inspect the fencing I noticed some RSPCA inspectors and police, along with a local man. I followed them to see what was happening, and to my utter horror discovered Blue dead from a broken neck in his pen. He must have tried to jump his fence or something and got caught by his rope in some way.

If anyone reading this keeps horses, or any other animals, will you please look after them properly. Blue's death was so unnecessary, it could have easily been prevented. He was loved by all the local children and will be sadly missed.

 

Rest In Peace Blue.

yesterday

Today is just as bad weatherwise as yesterday was. However I did make a short foray up into the woods for about an hour or so, sheltering under a canopy of trees when there was a sudden downpour.

To the left of the small kiddies playground is a small copse, in spring it was full of daffodils and then  bluebells, now in one area it is carpeted in blue meadow cranesbill. Just further on from the playground is a swampy area by a stream known locally as the Chuckpad, there the yellow flag irises are thriving in the moist ground.

Further up the heights I foraged my way into a small clearing amongst all the japanese knot weed, standing very still and silent I was rewarded by seeing coal tits, blue tits, and then 2 turtle doves, as well as the usual blackbirds, thrushes, and sparrows.

For the foreseeable future it doesnt look like there is going to be any improvement in the weather, which is a pity as our summer is so short at the best of times.I'd like to be venturing much further afield again, maybe even to the top of Pendle Hill, but I dont find any joy in getting soaked to the skin.