My Nature Notes

Start again

2011-04-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Since my computer had to be rehashed Ive only just been able to find this blog. Then it was a right pickle trying to access it!!! Anyway, hopefully its now in modus operandum once more and I can begin blogging again.

2008-12-09T12:11:00.000-08:00

Sylviam4000

2008-12-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

You will be sad to know that Sylvia Boiling passed away in April. She wrote a most wonderful journal on AOL called Ye Olde English Posy, I used to look forward to her entries. A lot of people will miss this wonderful lady.

Covered Bridges

2008-10-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

Not entirely to do with nature, but part of the landscape of many places. However, in England, apart from 3 that exist at Oxford and Cambridge, which are covered in the sense that they are bridges connecting 2 buildings, there is only one that I know about. Even that bridge is ornamental, in that it lies withinn a park, and has never been used for road traffic. It is the Swiss Bridge at Birkenhead Park on the Wirral peninsula.

I have been told that this kind of bridge was quite common in the UK in bygone times. I think they are so romantic and picturesque and its a pity we dont have them anymore. I know that in USA and Canada, also in other parts of Europe they still exist.

Pics of Rowley

2008-10-14T01:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the places we saw last sunday.

Todays walk

2008-10-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Seeing it was such a lovely sunny autumn day with temperatures up in the low 60's, Bill and me decided we would make the most of it. We began on the straight mile, a section of the Leeds and Liverpool canal that cuts across the centre of Burnley, meeting lots of cyclists and ramblers along the way. When we came to Thompsons Park we then branched off along the Burnley Way along to Heasandford. There the River Brun, from which Burnley gets its name, flows past allotments full of poultry and greenhouses. At one point I noticed a bird perched on a large stone in the river. I realised at once it was not a mallard as its head was brown and it had a pointy tail. It was a pintail duck, not normally seen in these parts, but present in the winter months in small numbers. That was a first sighting for me. One tree had a flock of coal tits in its branches, wonder why they favoured that particular tree? The brambles seem to have now lost their fruit, just the odd one still lingering, not very juicy either.
Approaching Netherwood Farm we were passed by a few horses, there riders also enjoying the warm day. From there we went on the track to Rowley Lake, a man made lake that was made in the late 60's by damning the stream. To me its now unrecognisable from the same place when I was a teenager. Then there were no trees, plus the stream is now a series of cataracts, instead of the gentle meanderings of yesteryear. Now, the Forest of Burnley planted thousands of trees which are now grown and hide the surrounding scenery. Its very beautiful and peaceful. Met on elderly man in one of those motorised wheelchairs, he has lived in Burnley all his life, yet this was the first time he had been on that path, and he was really impressed. Finally we reached Rowley Farm and Hall, where my old friends Tim and Susan lived when we were kids. They used to keep a pet bull which used to hang over a gate and bellow at you if you didnt tickle its head. Passing the Hall to our left was Rowley Lake. We took the left hand path and ambled slowly round. Across the other side were a flock of white geese, several families picnicing, and anglers languidly casting their rods. The cry of a moorhen drifted over the water, though we didnt see it. At the far end of the lake we took a direct path and came out near the Thornton Arms pub on Brownside Road. By then both of us were hungry and thirsty so we made a beeline for the Spar shop at Pike hill. Bought sandwiches and juice then sat on a wall to replenish ourselves.
Walked home down Brunshaw Hill, Fulledge, Towneley Holmes, then up through Burnley Wood and finally home. Bill was tired, poor love, he cant stand the pace!!!! Said his shins were hurting him. I sat outside with a cuppa tea until the sun sank below the houses opposite. Twas a very good peaceful kind of day.

2008-10-11T07:59:00.000-07:00

Me with a group of folk on a walk last year.

YEAH!!!!!!!

2008-10-09T13:51:00.001-07:00

At long last I have found a way of importing my old journal to a new one.

Log Journals

2008-09-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

I reckon it SUCKS that AOL is getting shut of log journals!!!!!!

Bees

2008-02-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, saw my first bee of the year, an enormous brown and orange striped one, not sure which variety, but was one of the largest I have ever seen. It was on the pavement of a main road so I bent down to pick it up with the intention of moving it to a garden area. Unfortunately, when I did so, I found out it was dead, stepped on by someone.I just hope that it was an accidental killing of such a beautiful insect. I love bees, they are so interesting and industrious, People are scared of them but they just go about their business oblivious really to us humans. In summer my lavender bush is throng with so many varieties of bees and I will sit there in my little camping chair right next to them all. Even when fruit picking I will be right next up to them, feel them touching my bare arms, and never once have I been stung. Wasps, however, are a different story!!!!

A few weeks ago I mentioned a caterpillar which was on a geranium leaf, about to turn into a chrysallis. Well, it ate the leaf which then dropped off into the pot, wrapped around the budding chrysallis. Now, it seems its vanished from sight!!!

The earthquake was quite good I thought, in that my daughter rushed upstairs asking " Mummy, is it the end of the world". How dramatic can you get I wonder? All that happened was doors rattled, bottles jangled in the bathroom, where I was at the time, and the floor moved a bit. At work the next day, a girl thought it was a poltergeist, or God even, shaking her bed. I told her God is way too old for tricks like that!!! The worst quake I once felt was in Tunisia, then I though the hotel would colapse. At least I am thankful nobody was killed, and I an truly sorry for folks who's houses had damage done to them, for I bet they have a hard job getting insurance payouts.

Tonight we are having gale force winds, but at least the rain has settled a bit. was soaked to the skin coming home from work this lunchtime. Tomorrow is March 1st, and they say if March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb. BAAAAAAAAAAA.

Starlings

2008-02-22T13:46:00.000-08:00

My lovely starling family have been back over a week now. The first I knew about it was when I glanced up at the troughing and saw straw protruding, at first I though it was some old dead grass which the wind had dislodged, then out from the eaves flew a bird which landed on the roof opposite. Sure enough it was a starling. Would love to know where they go to in winter, North Africa, the south of France?

Last sunday being sunny and warm in the sun, me and Bill took an afternoons walk along the canal bank. In parts it was quite frozen, so we fed bread to the ducks en route. Having reached a modern housing estate, we left the tow path and walked down an avenue towards the river, noticed dandelions growing in profusion in one place. At the river several horse riders were exercising their beasts and a dog decided to have a swim. rather the dog than me!!!! We then joined the Burnley way to get to another district, should have crossed a field but we would have been above our ankles in water, so instead walked round by the road. Eventually we got back to the river again at a place which in the olden days had stepping stones across it. Nowadays there is a wooden bridge, much safer by far, but the old photos are more picturesque. It is a beautiful rural setting, so peaceful, and the mistiness only added the the ambience. My grandma told me how her grandfather had found arrow heads there in his youth, and it was rumoured that this was the place where the Battle of Brunanberg took place. Whether this is the place we will probably never know, but its hard to picture men killing one another in such lovely surroundings. From there we walked along to Padiham, was hoping I might see pheasants but didnt. However, I saw several from the train last week at a place near to Blackburn. Could see Gawthorpe Hall across the river, shrouded in mist like something from a gothic horror film. The hall is a National Trust property, but as yet I have never been in it. Once had a job interview for there, needless to say I was unsuccessful!!! Having finally reached Padiham, nether of us fancied a 4 mile walk home along a main road, fortunately a bus arrived after about 5 minutes.

The last lunar eclipse to be seen here for about 8 years was a non event, too much cloud cover, so saw nothing. NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!

Spring

2008-01-28T16:19:00.000-08:00

In December a garden at the bottom of our street was in full bloom with daffodils, something i have never seen before. My daffs were in leaf but no sign of buds. However, this week I observed in my bedroom a geranium plant which I had taken in for the winter, on one of its leafs was a caterpillar. Today the leaf has over folded itself over the caterpillar which is now becomming a chrysallis. Can anyone tell me how long it will take before it becomes a butterfly? I dont wish the butterfly to emerge within the house as one of my cats will surely eat it.

Also, at the bottom of the hill a plum tree which is normally in bloom in late feb/march, is now in full flower. In 11 years of living here, this is the earliest recording. My daffs are now in bud, so are my crocuses, my snowdrops are actually flowering. My anemones are sending up plenty of leaves also.

Wycoller

2007-09-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

Last saturday Bill and I decided to go out for the day. I had last seen Wycoller when it was a ruined ghost village in the early 70's, since then it has been restored and inhabited again, in fact Penelope Keith bought a house there for a while.

We caught the Burnley to Trawden bus, then walked up past the field where I camped for the Pendle Witchcamp 2 years ago, then on the public footpath to Wycoller. Its actually a tarmacked road, so there was no concern over hubby getting his pants mucky, or shoes even if he minded horse droppings. Once we were appraoching the country park, we left the raod and went on a parallel footpath, which is a good idea as the road is so narrow. Its just over a miles walk from Trawden, so it didnt take very long. On entering the village on the left was a tourist information place cum cafe, cum art gallery. We decided to eat first then explore later. After we had had an excellent lunch at reasonable prices, we set off to see the village. The sky was darkening though it wasnt too cold and at least it was fine. Soon we came upon the old hall, sadly now a ruin, there was a show place where we could see old pics of the hall in the late 1890's. Some old vicar had sold all the roof tiles and a lot of the timbers and much of the stone work for a mill in Trawden. He should have got an ASBO for that!!!! An old barn dating back to the middle ages has been restored and many artifacts kept in it such as a key to the old hall. In the village itself are 2 ancient bridges, one an old clapper bridge, then further up the valley is an even more ancient bridge.Near to the duck pond an archealogical dig was going on, they had found an old wall, then more walls, so up till now there is no info on what exactly they were digging up. As I dont have a camera, I will update more photos from the net soon.

Panopticons have built one of there sculptures on a hillside nearby, so off we went over the fields. Luckily it was dry underfoot, yet still hubby complained about not having a road to walk over. I cannot understand fellas, grass is so much softer to walk over. G

oing up the hillside was well marked with eye posts, ancient way markings with holes in them, till we came to an old drovers track, backed with an old vaccary wall on each side. These date vack to the middle ages. Eventually we got to the top of the hill and the Atom was there. You can go inside the sculpture. Actually I think it is quite ugly, but it has these holes in it you can view the landscape from, so in a way it is inkeeping with the eye posts.An official guy asked us about our visit, think I was the first person to mention a connection tween the old and the new. After a rest there, a cup of tea from our flask we back tracked down to the village, then walked back to Trawden.

2007-07-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I set off on sunday morning to Crown Point, one of the highest hill in the Pennines above Burnley. This was the first time for me to have seen the sculpture. On the way up, which took an hours walking, we encountered quite a few places of fly tipping, fridges, vacuums etc, there is no need for this, we do have a council rubbish dump. However, on a brighter note, the raspberries were abundant at the bottom of Woodplumpton Road, as were orchids part way up adjacent to the golf course. It was a dull morning yet warm, tied my cardi round my waist. One thing I did notice was an absence of skylarks and curlews. After an hour and 15 we eventually got to the singing ringing tree. It is constructed out of metal tubing and it is supposed to make sounds. It didnt!!! Not unless you put your ear up to one of the tubes. I must say though that it looks far better than the old brick radio transmittor station that was on the spot previously. By then it had begun a heavy drizzle, and looking down the Calder Valley to Tod, it was obvious where the bad weather was coming from. Do all bad things come out of Yorkshire? Dont bother answering that one. Studley Pike was barely visible, so we set off home. By the time we got to Healey Heights the rain had begun properly, but we were home in time to not get soaked.

Slugs

2007-07-12T15:52:00.000-07:00

A neighbour gave me poppy plants to put out this year, they began fine and all was well till the rains began, and then, the slugs came out. Built like anacondas they snaked their way across my garden until the reached the poppies, and the begonias and everything else they encountered. Crunch, crunch crunch, till all was no more. I am now left with sweet peas dangling from a hanging basket and lobelia. Plus campanula which is now like a weed growing from every crack it can find. Was shifting a plant pot in my back yard and got stung with a nettle which is prolifically growing, couldnt see it for all the goddam weeds.

Does anyone know a fine weather spell? The only weather spells I know are rain ones and we've had far too much of that.

The Weather

2007-07-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

Oak before the ash, you'll only feel a splash!!! Ha ha ha. That theory has been well and truly knocked on the head this year. All we have had for the past 6 weeks or so is rain, rain, and yet MORE bloody rain. How bad did it have to get before Noah built his ark? Come to think of it, where the hell did he get all his wood from? Thought they lived in a desert area. I digress. If anyone mentions global warming to me I will not be responsible for my actions!!! I spent all winter in pants and looked forward to airing my legs in shorts and summer skirts. I am still wearing jeans. And socks. And cardis and jumpers. My youngest lad has had the right idea and gone off to Malta for a week with his lady friend. Has anyone out there got about a grand they can send me? If so, all contributions will be very gratefully recieved, and I will go off to Malta to join them.

2 days ago

2007-03-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

2 evenings ago, my daughters fella, Gareth, came in and asked if I had seen a strange bird on the front street. Looking from a window I saw what looked to be a small white bird, I said it wasnt a native british bird, but went out to have a closer look at it. It was up on a drain pipe and was a canary, tweeting away cheerily. By then others had come outside to have a look at it. A lady called Emma said it was hers that had escaped, so Marie got a bird cage to try to entice it to come down with some bird seed, but no chance. Eventually Emma brought the birds mate and put it in the cage. After much ado the little canary flew down to look at her hubby, Marie put a blanket over her and got her into the cage. I was so relieved as last year my white cat Spot caught and ate someones put budgie. Thankfully I never found out who it belonged to. My starlings who nest every year had also come out to have a gander at what was going on. Dont know if they kill canaries but this time they missed out. Finches are beautiful little birds but I am not sure if I approve of them being captive, to me they should be free to fly as they please.

Pic of me.

2007-03-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

For any of my readers who ever wondered just what I look like, well, here I am in glorious technicolour!!!! The pic was taken on Midgely Moor last november at the trig point. The second photo is of a standing stone somewhere nearby.

Spring

2007-03-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Well, for me, spring began during the last week of January this year, rather than the traditional Celtic Feb 2nd. What brought me to this conclusion? The air smelled different, but dont ask me just how, it just did. A fuchsia in my backyard which I had thought dead suddenly sprouted a new shoot and buds, however, once we got a sudden sharp frost the second week in Feb it killed it off again. Just hope it recovers.

The plum trees at the bottom of the Slug Path came into bloom the third week in Feb instead of mid march, and a nearby hawthorn tree now has all its leaves on. My daffs are now beginning to get past their best but the bluebells are getting bigger by the day. Quite a few of my summer bedding our plants have never died back during the winter, neither has my spearmint.

Some forecasters say we will be having yet another hot summer, lets hope their predictions are correct. Am looking foreward to poking round for arrow heads in reservoir bottoms if there is a drought. Went to an exhibition at Huddersfield museum on tuesday, it showed ancient artefacts found in Widdop reservoir which I went on a hike to last october. I have a stone axe head which I found in the 1960's, only trouble is I've now forgot just where I found it!!! lol.

Extwistle Hall

2007-02-26T15:25:00.000-08:00

I recently told Angela the tale of Squire Parker of Extwistle Hall, and of how he went out shooting, got soaking wet, left his coat to dry before the fire forgetting about the gunpowder in his pocket. In consequence, he blew himself up, 2 of his daughters, and a child as well. The Parker family departed Extwistle Hall after that incident and it began to decay. Part of the hall was inhabited until 1985 so I am told. I remember as a school kid in the mid 60's on one of my rambles going past the hall and stopping to look at the architecture. An old woman, actually she was probably in her early 50's, came out and shouted at me for snooping at her home. As she was brandishing a broom, I did not dare argue with her and beat a hasty retreat further up the road and thence on to Briercliffe. The last time I went past the house would be in 1968, this time the old woman, as I called her, was in a field opposite to the Hall, she was gathering thistle heads, which I thought a bit odd. Since then I have found out that thistle heads are used for cattle fodder. This time she didnt shout at me, just silently watched me until I faded into the distance. For some reason that image of her standing as I became smaller up the farm track has always stayed with me. Who was she? A tenant farmer yes, but who else was she? Maybe some person out there has knowledge of her.

Anyway, to get back to the story. Angela expressed curiousness about the Hall and suggested we had a walk there oneday. I somehow got the feeling I would not be able to lounge around on sunday, so had a double helping of mueslli. Sure enough, the little love arrived and said " lets got for a walk mummy". Prepared a quick flask of tea, she bought the butties, then off we went. Quickly down to the town cente, up onto the canal bank then off to Heasandford. Could see the old street where we used to live and our old house quite clearly, looked absolutely awful. To think how a once lovely street could become such a scruffy one in about 15 years. The only folk to blame for this are the landlords who bought property cheap when old folk died, then rented them off to rubbish people. By this I mean drug addicts, alcoholics, prossies, and other dregs of society as we know it. The asians who lived on the street when we lived there were the oneswho had the poshest houses. We all got on so well together, went to each others weddings, christenings etc, gave gifts at christmas and eid. Now I reckon all is left is very little of the old way it was.

Feeling rather despondent we marched along, to the end of the straight mile of the canal, through Thompsons Park, , under the road bridge, then onto Heasandford. Its amazing how the place looks in winter compared to the summer. In the latter its one sea of weeds, like a jungle almost. In the former, one can see between hedgerows, underneath fences. On along the track we were encounted by 2 great big dogs, I thought we were going to be bitten but they were quite friendly, just got mud on my clothes from where they jumped up. We turned left up towards Netherfield farm, through their stables, then up a track marked on the OS map. It is not a track as such, just a way across a field. And, what a boggy route it was, squelch squelch squelch. I had proper footgear on, Angie was in trainers. Halfway along the route I could hear, Mum. I am going to get trenchfoot!!! The poor girl wasnt used to sheep and thought they might attack her!!! God, I must have brought her up all wrong!!! I demonstrated how to shoo sheep away then she was ok.

At the foot of the hill we walked through a copse and were then in sight of Extwistle Hall. My God, how it had deteriorated from my last sighting of the building. All but one of the huge chimneys had gone, all the windows and doors were boarded up, all the roof on one wing was open to the elements. It was sad to see a builiding of such archictectural splendour reduced to almost rubble.

We ate our lunch on a slab of stone where the Burnley way crosses the farm track. For the time of year it was so mild, we didnt even need our gloves on. From there we made it to the main road and decided to go the Worsthorne instead of Briercliffe. At Roggerham we decided to go into the Roggerham Gate Inn for a coffeee and a toilet stop. At the door they had a hedgehog foot scraper, to get all the mud off out boots. After our coffee we set off for Worsthone, only to find out when we got there we had missed the bus by 5 mins and would have another hour to wait. So, once again we traversed on, another 4 miles added onto he walk.

Once in Fulledge we encountered the empty site where the school all my kids used to go to was. How anyone could sanction the demolition of such a wonderful place I willl never know. Feeling heavy in heart we returned to our house. At the canal bridge a skein of geese was passing over, about 100 in total, possibly travelling over to Martin Mere.

Last sunday

2006-10-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Met Paul at 10, parked the car on Gorple Road. It was already quite windy, so much so, that I decided to put a wooly hat on. So, we set off, fine but very windy, about a mile along the track we came up with a bench dedicated to a William Joyce and his wife. Could it be the same Mr and Mrs Joyce who taught me at Towneley High School? Both of them were quite batty, so it may be them. What a bloody place to put a bench though, though I do admit it gives one a place to park ones bums. It was a gloomy day from the start, somewhere on the horizon we could see light, but not near where we were, So, we ventured on, got to the Yorkshire border fence, then realised we should have turned off a while back, my fault. Anyway, we turned off in the region we should have originally gone, ended up at the Hare Stones. They are a fantastic crop of mill stone grit stones that mark the boundary between Lancashire and the west riding of Yorkshire. was time for a stop for a break, had a banana and a wee sup of tea, then off again. We tried in vain to find the stone cairn circle at Cant Clough, was like trying to find a needle in a haystack, the grass was up to my chest.

So, we journeyed forth unto Widdop reservoir, whereupon we encountered thick fog over the water. All the birds now seem to have departed, apart from a few field pippits and a few wagtails. At Widdop there were hawks, but as they were in profile agianst the sky I cannot say what kind of birds they were. Once there we branched left onto the Burnley way, until it joined with the main road from Colne to Hebden.

All along the way I was so surprised to see new tufts of grass, new flowers blooming, same as in my front garden, fuschia bush sending up new shoots. Plenty of fungi growing though am not too sure on a lot of it.

Saw a spirit of a lady at Widdop. I do not usually see spirits, but this one was genuine. She could only be seen out of the corner of my eye, think she was as curious about me as I was about her. At Swindon reservoir was in time to see a migrating flock of gulls land there,

Anyway, got back to Worsthorne by the way we had done a couple of weeks ago, it had been yet another good days walk. Pity we didnt find the stone circle though.

Worsthorne Walk

2006-09-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

We all met on Gorple Road at 10 am, 8 of us showed up. It was a very misty start to the day, when I got up Pendle Hill wasnt in site, hidden behind a think bank of fog. However, as the morning progressed, the sun came out and it was quite warm as there was no wind.

The first site we went to was on Hambleden Pasture, near the top of Gorple Road.Here there are 2 sites, a tumulus and a stone circle. We came across a lovely little frog hopping around amongst the stones, tried to get a pic of him but he was a shy chappy. From there we journeyed downhill to Ringstones, a supposedly Romano British fort. The first time we went to look for this one we couldnt find it, possibly cos the grass was too long to see anything. When you get there, it is actually quite well defined, and on a very large scale. There is more info on this place in Bennett's History of Burnley. ( No relation to me, I am a Suthers).

I had begun this mornings walk in a lot of pain from an acute ingrowing toenail, however, the painkillers set in and I was ok so long as I didnt kick a stone in the grass. When I did, I had to strictly modify my language!!!! I did blaspheme though!!!!

After Beagle Hill, Bonfire Hill, and Pike Law, we eventually got to Ells Clough where there is an earthwork and a stone ring cairn. Then onto Delph Hill, my favourite site. By then it had begun drizzling, so we all rapidly got into waterproofs. It soon fined up however. Coming back we were amazed by the amount of ponies and horses that seem to roam wild over this area, noticed one mare who was heavily pregnant with her foal from last year and another baby from this year. How many times a year do horses breed? Would be glad of some input from this from anyone in the know. Not many magic mushrooms around. maybe they are late this year? Saw harebells growing in the same place as last time we were up there. Also a Canadian Goose flew over in the afternoon and landed on a pylon about half an hour after we had seen a skein of them fly over. Maybe the others were migratory and this one was staying. Skylarks are still rife up on the moors as well as meadow pippits, so are a few swallows. Cant be long though until they all go south.

Anyway, I digress, after we went back to Hambledon Pasture and to the stone circle on Slipper Hill, of which nothing much remains, but you can still get the feeling of the site. Will have to look up on old maps what used to be on that site cos to me it looks like there may have been an old dam there at one time.

Several folk had to make there way back home then, so we said our goodbyes, then 4 of us went on to Burwains which is in Briercliffe cl;ose to Thursden Valley. It is thought that this is a place where people would converge in the past as it was a burial site and a supposed place for rituals. Whoever discovered this site either had a very fertile imagination, or saw it in winter, cos at this time of the year when the grass is long, its very hard to distinguish landforms.It does cover a very large area, but I think with constant mowing of the land over the centuries, that the site isnt as obvious as it once was. Mores a pity in a way. If this was my ancestors grave yard, then just where did my ancestors live? Where are the remains of their houses, farms, their rubbish tips? They must be someplace locally. Will we ever know?

Sunday

2006-08-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went on a ramble over the moors from Worsthorne. We went out in search of stone circles, cairns, henges and such. Even though I have walked over that way plenty of times in the past, I had never bothered searching for the neolithis and bronze age sites before. We didnt find all that were marked on the map, but 2 of the sites were very special. The last one was a perfect stone circle on Delf Hill, 7 stones in all, one looked to have a small face carved onto it. There was such a good atmosphere to the place, very peaceful we both thought.

On the way there we disturbed a hare, which bounded away from us as we approached it, and coming back we saw another one in a different place. Its very rare to see them near where I live so I felt quite pleased about it. One large field was full of cattle, some lovely little calves standing close to their mums, they had such bonny faces, the bulls actually took no notice of us, must be a tame breed. There were also about 6 horses, 2 fell ponies came up to be petted, a brown pony had a foal with her, it kept galloping about.

No mushrooms about yet on the moors, but one spot was full of harebells growing. Near Hellclough it looked like a snowstorm in progress, the clocks off thistles blowing everywhere.

It was a very warm day, didnt need a cardi, even though it was quite dull.

Yesterday

2006-07-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

WOWOWOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hubby actually came out fruit picking with me yesterday aft. Think he realised I was pissed off with him for forgetting our wedding anniversary yesterday. He will learn with time no doubt.

We found a new location for raspberries and almost filled a tupperware full of them. After that I went to pluck gooseberries, but found that the shrub had been taken, either dug up for relocation, or just got rid of. Whatever, I was NOT best pleased.

On a lighter note, got a phone call last night from a member of Northern earth wanting me to help to arrange a walk around Worsthorne way. Sounds good to me.

Butteflies

2006-07-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

Forgot to add yesterday what a magnet my lavender is for insects. Have been watching the dozens of bees very closely, have recorded white, and orange tailed bumble bees, carder bees, and some other sort whose type I am unfamilliar with.

Today, as well as the usual cabbage white butterflies, I saw a small tortoiseshell butterfly and a painted lady butterfly. I think they are beautiful creatures, so graceful and delicate, however, my cats think they look good enough to eat, so had to put moggies inside on more than one occassion.

Decided to hunt for more raspberries, found some at the foot of Healey Heights, and also wild strawberries. Was most pleased about that!!!! On the way back, walked round by the top field, or the village green as it is now known, and Joyce had lots of blackcurrants dangling over her fence, so quite a few of those went home with me as well. Some folk look at me in horror when I say I eat the fruit as it is, say they will be full of worms and such. I say it adds to the flavour!!! Honestly, they will pay over the odds for fresh fruit in a supermarket, yet shun fruit that comes free.

Havent heard the crickets since the council worker mowed the grass on the back field, he went too far into the nettles this time. Do hope they didnt get killed.

The bottom of Healey Heights is bright pink with rosebay willowherb at the moment, am sure there is more than last year. All this lovely hot sun seems to have made everything grow in profusion since we had the storm the other week. Tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter. Was 86 today, I put my thermometer is the sun and the mercury reached 98.

Lavender

2006-07-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

This year my lavender bush in my front garden has excelled itself. Never have I seen it looking more purple. I still reckon it must be the largest lavender bush in Burnley outside of a public park.

Yesterday I had to rescue a grasshopper from my black cat who thought it would make a tasty snack. It hopped away into a bed of nettles on the back field.

The young deer has been sighted again early one morning, must try to get up before God and see it for myself.

Was annoyed to say the least today when I decided to go raspberry picking, some nasty person has cut all the canes level with the ground in the place I usually go to. Was only able to find a few more in a different location. There are several large cherry trees in full fruit, only trouble is I would have to be about 14 foot tall to reach them.

On a sadder note, a baby boy who was only a few weeks old died on the next street to us. His parents are little more than kids themselves but they were the proudest parents ever. Now this has happened and the whole district is in shock.

Grasshopper

2006-07-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

At around lunchtime was in my backyard soaking up the sun when I noticed a movement on my willow sapling. On closer inspection I found it to be a lovely green grasshopper. Its the first one Ive ever found in my backyard so I was quite pleased. About an hour later there was no sign of it, just hope one of my cats didnt eat it. Still havent found out what the mystery fly was, the nearest I could find to it on the net was some kind of north american wasp. Long way from home if it was one of those.

Tuesday

2006-07-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

Still the hot humid weather is upon is. I love it, it means I dont have to wear a jacket or socks.My hair sticks to my back, but so what, I am not cold.

My youngest daughter heard crickets up at Clowbridge reservoir yesterday evening, so tis not just me hearing things. Wildlife Trust come and see!!!!

Tonight was chatting outdoors with neighbours about 10pm and a thing landed on my lavender bush, wasnt a bee or a wasp and was much bigger than a hornet. I have seached in my nature books and cant find it. Was four times the size of a bee, had reddish wings in the middle. Even in Algeria I never saw anything like it. I cant think that it was a native british insect. If I find what it was I will inform you.

weather

2006-07-04T16:34:00.000-07:00

On sunday we had the worst thunderstorm I have known in years, It began about 2-30 by a distant rumbling which we all ignored. After about an hour we got a few raindrops, then it began to rain so I went indoors. Watched most of it thru my bedroom window, it came like a river down my frontstreet, like Niagara from the troughings, a dip in my backyard fild up and threatened to inundate my house, so I relucantly had to close my backdoor, even if it was hot and humid.

The result was we escaped the worst of it whilst Todmorden, Rossendale and Manchester got the worst. To see pics of Tod, please go to Todtalk.

Today

2006-07-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

I caught the 1-27 train out of Burnley to Hebden Bridge. Today was the start of the Arts festival, so I thought I may catch one or two of the street performances. I was lucky in that there was a folk singer performing when I got there, near St Georges Square, so I sat down to eat my lunch and enjoy the music. Afterwards I thought I would go up the riverside path to Midgehole and then up to Pecket Well. Walking along Hangingroyd Lane I kept having to dodge a big blue dragonfly which was zipping about quite madly. They are beautiful creatures but rather stupid, am sure they must have bad eyesight cos they blunder straight into people.

Once I got onto the riverside walk there was still no respite from the heat and humidity, after only a short while I found I had a stitch in my side. Walking up the long flight of steps onto Midgehole Road was almost the death of me, could hear my heart pounding. Took it rather slower the rest of the way to Midgehole, saw lots of foxgloves in bloom alongside nettles and buttercups. Eventually I flopped onto a bench across from the Blue Pig ( Midgehole working mens club) and drank about half a litre of water. Decided that there was no way I was going to venture up to Pecket Well as it is a very steep incline all the way up, so I had a look from the outside at a des res that is up for sale. On the estate agents photos the garden looks huge, the reality is its quite tiny, still a lovely setting to live but you would definately need wheels. A pub but no shop within miles.Doubt if there is even a bus.

I decided to walk back by the main road, stroked a beautiful black cat with a short stump of a tail, could be a manx cross breed I think, she had the sweetest meow. Then a border collie dog came up to me to be stroked. It belonged to a Thai lady and we chatted for a while. I told her Ive a friend in Burnley married to a Thai lady, it only turned out that she was actually waiting for the same lady to visit her!!!! A few minutes later Richards car past me then he picked me up on his way back and dropped me off in the town centre. Talk about synchronicity!!!! I talk to a stranger and she knows the same folk as me.

Once back in the town I sat and watched a percushion band, they were good, think everyone was jigging around to them, then a 3some folk group. Met an American lady who was wearing a thick winter cardigan, she said folk back home had told her England is always freezing cold, so she had only brought winter clothes. I said to take her jacket off but she replied she didnt want to get skin cancer!!!! More likely she will die of heat exhaustion instead. On the way back to the train station I thought I would snag a few cherries of somebodies tree, well I would have done but they arent even ripe yet, another tree that is 2 weeks behind last year. Something to look forward to in a couple of weeks, ripe cherries.

Got home about 5pm, house empty and cats needing to be fed.

Crickets

2006-06-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

In addition to the 4 species of grasshopper in Lancashire ( of 13 species found in Britain), we have three species of buch cricket in Lancashire which are found in a few scattered localities. These are the Bog Bush Cricket, a nationally rare species found at Winmarleigh & Cockerham Mosses. The Oak Bush Cricket is known only from woodlands in the Ribble Valley. The Roesel's Bush Cricket is found at Fleetwood. More information is in the book "Wildlife of Lancashire" publisherd by the Wildlife Trust in 2004 (available online or via bookshops). Hope this helps.

This was the response I got from emailing the Wildlife Trust in east lancs. My area is nowhere near any of these, you would have at least thought they would have shown some enthusiasm. I have discovered an area not know before to be populated with crickets, I would have thought they would have asked me for an exact location, but no, they didnt. So, its now my area, plus a few neighbours in the know, if they want to know where it is they can look for themselves. The same goes for the place that a rare specimen of orchid grows, I first found it 11 years ago and they still grow there.If I tell it to the world then it will get trampled on.Ive no doubt that they think I am a silly woman who cannot tell a cricket from a grasshopper, I spent 6 years in the middle east and I can differentiate between the 2.

Guess what I heard?

2006-06-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

Tonight I stuck my head outside to see if the new moon was visible, could see plenty of stars but no moon. However, a strange sound drew me towards the back field. It was a cricket I could hear, Ive not heard one round here for many years. Even grasshoppers had become a bit of a rarity until foot and mouth disease kept everyone off the land. Now they have made a comeback and its good to hear them up on the Delph.

Was up at Trawden for the annual Pendle witch camp at the weekend, fortunately we were in a different field to last year, so no cow pats to fall in. Had a bright red fly land on me, havent any idea what it was until I have looked it up. Enjoyed listening to the curlews, they have a lovely call I think. I would have walked up to Wycollar country park on the sunday but the weather wasnt very good, quite foggy, cold and a strong wind. Will save that walk for a lovely day.

Hebden Bridge

2006-06-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

Me and Angela, my youngest daughter, got a lift in with a neighbour today. Spent hours looking around shops then went onto the canal towpath. As we did so, a heron that must have been on the side of the canal suddenly swooped off, we got a real close up view of it. Earlier we saw a ruddy duck on the Hebden Water amongst all the mallards, quite distinctive with its red feathers and blue beak. Stroked a siamese cat and a persian female which must have weighed about 2 stones, I had to pick her up from the middle of a road.

The laburnum trees are in full bloom and a treat for the eyes they are. This year they are 2 weeks later than last year, probably because of the cold winter lasting so long.

Grassington Moor

2006-05-31T14:29:00.000-07:00

The last pic was of Grassington Moor, a place we hiked over last October but I forgot to do a write up on.

Sunday

2006-05-31T14:26:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we all met at Heber's Ghyll in Ilkley at 10am, that is 14 of us from the Northern Earth Mysteries Group. Our intention was to take a walk over Ilkey Moor. We started off by climbing up Heber's Ghyll, a very steep ravine, a stream cascading all the way from the top. There is a proper walkway with bridges over the stream, one of the most beautiful glens I have seen, reminiscent in a lot of ways of some of the Manx glens. The bluebells were out in proffusion and also ramsons, or wild garlics. It took ages it seemed to reach the top of the ravine, I think we were all gasping for breath by the time we arrived there. We climbed over a style and were then out on open moorland with panoramic views over the whole valley and Ilkley town.

Our first stop was the Swastika stone, so called because of the neolithic stone etching on it. Its a monstrous piece of rock, thankfully behind railings to protect it from vandals. The wind on the topps was freezing, was hard to believe it was the end of May, and by then we had all gotten into our jackets with hoods up. Next on line was the Noon stone, though none of us know why it is so called. After that we traversed the boundary of a conifer plantation for quite a while, I noticed that the cotton grass was flowering and that curlews, sky larks and meadow pipits were calling, also a few dandelions grew near to the path.

From up on the tops we had a wonderful clear view of Pendle Hill and also Bouldsworth peeking over the top of another hill, the early warning system "golf balls" near Blubberhouse Moor, and the Emley Moor transmitter. After a lunch stop we journeyed on downwards first to the Doubler Stones and then through a pine forest at Rivock Edge. This place is reputed to be haunted by hooded figures, unfortunately none of us saw any, but it feels quite an eerie place as nothing seems to grow there. We had to climb off the track to see Rivock Oven, a cave quite high up, a few of the more daring actually crawled through the gap in the stones. An old legend has it that if a man and a woman clamber through the gap then they will marry!!! I just did not want to chance it!!!!

Next our stop was the badger stone which is carved with neolithic art, its best seen in wet weather, luckily for us the day was dry, but unfortunate in that we couldnt make out too much of the art depicted on it.

Our final stop was a stone which had been covered in red paint a few years back, most of it has worn away, but a few patches still remain. They are mainly rune stones, we have still to find out what they mean.We follows cascades downwards and then wearily walked about 2 miles back to the descent into Heber's Ghyll.

3 days later my legs are still aching. I have done much longer walks, think it must have been all the plodding through peat bogs which caused them to ache, but at least my feet kept dry.

Deers

2006-05-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

Have been told on a very good authority, that a female deer and her fawn have been seen just 2 minutes walk away from where I live. Last night my youngest daughter and I decided to have a look, but am afraid we didnt see either of them. I reckon they live up in the woods during the daytime, then spend the night on the place where they were seen till early morning. I am keeping the location quiet because of yobs with guns who may try to kill them. I dont even know what kind of deer they are, but I do wish I could catch a glimpse of them. We have badgers locally that Ive never seen, though I have a good inkling as to the location of their set. Foxes I have seen in broad daylight, beautiful creatures, who nevertheless create havoc for poultry owners, as I found out to my own cost a few years ago.

All of out native species are very special and should be appreciated. To eradicate even one of them would be a great loss. Ok, I dont like the thought of bears romeing our woods, or sabre tooth tigers, but I think wolves could be reintroduced, they dont pose too much of a threat to man. Also wild cats, they are supposed to be only in Scotland now, but I know for a fact that they are living in North Yorkshire, I have seen them for myself. Lovely big tabby cats with long stripey tails and broad heads.

Saw a butterfly last week Ive not seen before ever, but until I get a good image of it I wont say anymore.

Yesterday

2006-05-12T15:18:00.000-07:00

Decided around midday that I would make the most of a beautiful day, so hurriedly made a few sandwiches, filled a bottle with water, then off I went. At my local farm I was admiring the lambs with their mothers, when suddenly a kestrel swooped down less than 5 yards from me, snatched up a starling in its beak, then flew off with it in the direction of Healey Heights. I hear plenty of kestrels circling around kee keeing, but Ive not seen one that close to before. Poor starling though!!! I have starlings nesting in my troughing, they come back to us every year. Hope their chicks manage to grow up without getting devoured, either by birds of prey or one of my cats. We got several presented to us last year.

Having got to the end of the farm track I decided to go up Crown Point by Woodplumpton Road rather than on the Burnley Way. Once I had reached the first cattle grid I was glad I had done so because of the sound of the skylarks. They have a wonderful song. When I was a little girl I would hear them all the time on my way to school in a morning. Sadly I only ever hear them now up on the tops. I noticed that there were still quite a few wild daffodils growing at the roadside, they have been very late flowering this year. After I had rested at the second cattle grid and had my food, I journeyed on towards Bacup Road. I was quite thrilled to both hear and see curlews as well as the skylarks and meadow pippits. Am sure I heard a grouse also but never saw it.

A long distance truck from France stopped me and asked the way to a small village called Water, just over the border into Rossendale, I couldnt help but wonder what on earth he was going to such an isolated place for. I didnt even know they had any firms there. After a short walk down Bacup Road I turned onto a dirt track that used to be for when they did opencast mining on Deerplay Moor. This is access land and there was a sign saying to keep dogs on leads as it is the lambing season. The lambs were just adorable, some very young with their umbilical cords still dangling. The ewes as ever very protective of them, calling for their offspring as soon as I approached. A short way down I climbed over a very rickety gate and petted two beautiful fell ponies that were grazing. I continued along the track until I was way up above Cliviger, could see the houses of Holme Chapel looking very tiny down in the valley. The trig point of Thievely Pike was just above me now, from here one can see far and wide on a clear day, but yesterday was too hazy, so I didnt go all the way up, instead I sat down on a huge lump of millstone grit rock. Silly me had walked all that way in sandals and by then had developed a blister underneath my right heel. I could have gone down a steep track through Buckley Wood to Holme Chapel and caught a bus back to Burnley, but I had no money with me. So, I had no alternative but to walk back the same way as I had come. That road seemed never ending, I was very tempted to hitch a lift, but common sense prevaled and I walked home, getting to the house just before 5pm. My poor foot was stinging like hell and I had also pulled a muscle in my left thigh. I will know in future to wear my hiking boots even if it is hot. This morning I could hardly walk when I got up, but I have unstiffened a bit now. lol

Pendle Witch Camp

2005-06-29T14:53:00.000-07:00

Last Friday set off in my friends car from Burnley at around midday in pouring rain, we all felt a little gloomy at the prospect of a weekends camping in the damp. Plus, thunder and lightning had also been forecasted.The rain beat down steadily on the motorway all the way to Colne, where we left the motorway and joined the road to Keighly. By the time we got to Trawden it was only spitting a little, so went up Rock Lane and onto the farm land where we had been allowed to camp for the weekend. Lo and behold, the rain had stopped!!! So out of the car we got, eager to pitch our tents before the heavens opened again. Luckily we were one of the first cars to arrive, so we were able to find a spot where there wasnt a huge accumulation of either cow pats or thistles. Soon other folk began to arrive, some I recognised from other camps we had been at, some were complete strangers, however, all had smiling faces. Almost immediately some guy came over to lend a hand with the tent erecting for which I was very grateful. It stayed fine for the afternoon till about 6 when we were in Claires tent having out evening meal. Her tent is more like a marquee, its huge!!!!!!! Can fit table and chairs in it,which makes it quite handy in inclement weather.

On exploring the site, we found that a variety of trades had set up stalls and shops, a bit like a medieval village, there were jewelery stalls catering stalls woodcarvers apothacaries and crafts off all descriptions.

At night, once it had begun to grow dark we all sat arounf a campfire, a lot of people were drumming, some singing, was a very good atmosphere.The low point was going to the loo in the dark I slipped and fell in a cow pat!!! Well, as we say here in the north, Muck for Luck.

During the rest of the weekend the weather was wonderful, the sun came out and it was very hot at times. There were workshops to attend on a variety of topics, Morris Dancers came to entertain, and on the last night a folk group played around the campfire. To my great embarassment they played Happy Birthday, somebody had blabbed that it was my 54th birthday!!! On Monday morning we all packed up and went out various ways home, having met old friends and made many more new ones.

One of the great things living on the farmland was all the country noises, cows bellowing, curlews calling, sheep bleating, swallows diving over us, plus a sparrow hawk hovering for ages, then swooping down to catch its prey. Cant wait now for the next camp at the end of July up in north Yorkshire!!!

Last sunday.

2005-06-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

On the spur of the moment last sunday, I hurriedly packed my rucksack with a flask and sandwiches and left the house at around 1pm. I walked briskly through Daisyfield allotments, alongside the railway track, then through the Kilns and Copy Wood. Was please to find the ground almost dry and still a few bluebells in flower.Once I got to Todmorden Road I kept on until the first railway bridge just over the border into Cliviger. Sat down on a bench to have my lunch, then over a style and across a few fields. Rabbits scurried in all directions, was good to see so many as round where I live none have been seen by me for about 3 years now. Have no idea why this should be. Had to cross a field full of cattle, I was most wary in case there was a bull, but they were just cows with their calves. They seemed quite curious but didnt come too close, thank God. I couldnt have run if they had have done as the ground was quite boggy and I was having to walk on bullrushes in order to keep dry.

I was supposed to be on the Burnley Way, kept seeing the waymarkers, but the track in places is non existant, so had to backtrack several times. Got lost at one point and had to climb over a dry stone wall covered in barbed wire to get onto the right side of it. managed to do so without ripping my clothes. By this time the sun had come out, so removed my fleece and rolled my sleeves up. I decided to get back onto the main road near Holme Chapel and from there onto the lane to Buckley Wood. The track down to the main road is nothing more than adrainage ditch, which goes under the railway. Water was flowing down it and the stones under my feet were slippy as hell. Needless to say I came down it very gingerly. Once on the main road again I walked as far as the Ram Inn and sat outside in their picnic area to finish off my flask of tea. I had intended going up through Buckley Wood to Theively Pike and from there back home via Crown Point, but realised that if I did so I wouldnt be getting back home until about 8pm. So, after 45 minutes I caught the bus back to Burnley centre. Next time I will leave much earlier and make a full day of it.

recent events

2005-02-06T15:35:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

This is one of the Bridestones, way up above Todmorden. I reckon it took about 11/2 hours to get there. I was a murky day, quite warm in the valley, but once I got onto the tops it was feezing, took 1 pair of gloves off to eat my lunch but within minutes my fingers were seizing up. The Bridestones are millstone grit outcrops that have been moulded over the millions of years into fantastic shapes, found 1 that closely resembled a turtle.

At one farmhouse that I passed I noticed that daffodils were out in bloom, and a field was full of fieldfare flocking around in the grass. Someplace near Lydgate there was a bunnyrabbit, its white rump bobbing all over the place. In Todmorden Woods, way above the park, squirrels galore were scampering all over the trees.

Back in Tod, all was still the same, like nothing had ever happened, as if I had had no effect on the place, which I most probably hadnt.

more trees

2005-01-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

Today we went back to the same farm, but in a different field, for more tree planting. The area had all been staked out, so I began planting hawthorns around the perimeter. There were only about 8 of us in the morning, but around 6 more turned up in the afternoon. Luckily the weather was decent this time, dry, sunny at one stage and very mild for the time of year. Once I had planted the hawthorns, and others had filled in the bottom end and far side, we then began to plant alders and willow saplings in the central area which was quite soggy underfoot. They will help with the drainage of the land. At around 3-30 we downed tools, took them back up to the farm and loaded them along with the unplanted trees into a trailer. Then it was back to Hebden Bridge for drinks and dinner at the Shoulder Of Mutton, then the 7-38 train back to Burnley for me.

More tree planting

2005-01-03T04:53:00.000-08:00

On saturday, New Years Day, met a small group of other like minded people in St. Georges Square in Hebden Bridge. From there, the mini bus took us up to Heights Farm, way up above Midgeley, overlooking Luddenden valley. It was quite a mild morning for january, fine also, so, after dumping all our gear in the farmhouse garage, we set off for the planting site. As you can see on the photo, it was quite a steep slope alongside the road. Some folk had got there before us and had made a start. Began by planting spruce trees in groups of three, working my way along the slope. An hour later another minibus full landed, recognised a lot of the same people who had been at Hebden Hey in november. At one time I heard a loud honking noise and looked up to see an enormous skein of geese flying quite low across the sky, I think they were going more or less due west. Stopped for a lunch break at around 1-15, hot soup, crusty bread, chocolate cake, tea, coffee, and mulled wine were available up at the farm. Very enjoyable!!

Afterwards, when we got back to the planting site, the weather began to deteriorate rapidly. The wind increased in strength and the drizzle became heavy rain. However, we all carried on regardless. I had to abandon my gloves as they became saturated. By around 3-30, we had planted almost as far as the wall at the end of the field. By then the rain was torrential, heard it thunder once, looked up and saw a grey mist rapidly approaching, it was hailstones. Felt like glass hitting my face, so I beat a very hasty retreat back to the farm, the others not very long after me. We all were grateful for hot drinks and to sit in front of a stove to try and dry ourselves off a little.

Later, most of us went to a meal that had been put on by Penny in Hebden Bridge. She reckoned around 600 trees had been planted by the 40 or so of us who had gone. Another tree planting in 2 weeks, so I look forward to it. Just hope it doesnt hail though!!!

Hebden Hey

2004-11-29T16:06:00.000-08:00

Had a wonderful weekend someplace near Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge. There was a group of maybe 70 or 80 of us. Landed on the friday evening in time for tea, then off to the Blue Pig at Midghole for a pub quiz and entertainment. After a walk back through unlit woods, good job some guy had a torch with him, we all sluped into our bunkbeds for the night. Didnt get very much sleep what with all the snoring and folk traversing to the loo all night!!!

Had a hearty vegan breakfast in the morning, then we all went up through the woods to Bent Head farm for the tree planting. It was a peircingly cold dry morning, not a cloud in the sky, wind blasting at us made my eyes water, but at least it was fine. Stayed there till about 1-30, I mainly planted alders and oaks, felt real good to be making an impact on the barren landscape. It was so cold in the shade, so I followed the sun round, had 2 pair of thermal gloves on so my hands were fine, my feet however kept seizing up on me. At about 1 I returned to the barn for a hot frink, then my stomach made the better of me and I returned to the scout hut for lunch.

After lunch there were workshops, I went to one on the kingdom of Elmet, all about the history and ecology of the place. Am afraid I dozed off for a while. Later there was a play about the area. In the evening we had a party, more people had come up to join us, saw some old faces I knew.

On sunday, there was more tree planting, but me and a few more went out in the mini bus to view all Treesponsibilities other sites where they have done tree planting.

At 2pm we had out final meeting, Penny, who had organised it all said altogether about 2000 trees had been planted, which I think was very good. Almost a forest!!

I stayed to help clear up, then finally got back home at around 6-45pm, knackered but happy.

yesterday

2004-11-11T17:21:00.000-08:00

Amongst all the gloom and fog I espied a solitary red clover growing out of the dying grass on an overgrown patch of land. It wasnt stunted either, it was huge!!! Dont know if thats quite common or not in november but its the only one Ive seen for a while. There are still the odd daisies around but Ive seen them in december.

Am off now till sunday evening planting trees in Hebden Bridge. Should be fun. lol.

2004-10-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

Ive not written anything new since July, its not cos Ive had nothing to write about, its just that too many other factors got in the way. Plus, at times I can be a real lazy old cow!!! In the last few days Ive tried to feed squirrels, they dont seem interested in bread anymore, but spend their time forageing under leaves looking for nuts, acorns etc. Its forecast to be a hard winter and I am wondering if it could be so. Last autumn I couldnt find any acorns, this autumn they are quite literally dropping on me there are so many. I do so hope not, cos I hate a cold winter. Anyway, Ive been like the squirrels and kitted myself up ready for a cold spell, thermal waterproof goretex gloves, arctic parka, thermal waterproof pants and jacket. I guess I am going to look like Madame Michelin!!! Anyway, who the heck cares so long as I am warm.

Love to everyone who reads my stupid notes.

Raspberries

2004-07-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

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

2004-07-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

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

2004-07-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

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

2004-07-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

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

2004-07-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

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

2004-07-02T04:36:00.000-07:00

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.

walk in the rain

2004-06-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

I thought the rain was finished with so I walked up to the east of healey heights, was very saddened to see another of the saplings has been snapped, this time a 4ft rowan tree. I'll have to find a stake for it and hope it can survive.

This has to be one of the most beautiful parts of the Burnley area, so close to the town and yet so tranquil. From there it is possible to see as far as the Ribble Valley to the west, Whalley Brew, Pendle Hill in the north, the great bulk of Boulsworth up to the northeast, Coal Clough wind farm on the Long Causeway, and the awesome Cliviger Gorge to the south east. The landscape always inspires me in all the changing seasons, sometimes it is wild and harsh, othertimes fertile and mellow. After it has rained all the scents in the woods become more pronounced.

I was intending to go much further than tending my own territory, but as I was sitting on top of a fence the heavens suddenly opened once more. By the time I had got back down from the heights it was quietly bucketing down and my jeans were rather soggy.

Have noticed that a cherry tree on manchester road still isnt at the ripe stage, at least a week behind last year. A plum tree near the canal has no fruit at all on this year for some unknown reason. The purple common spotted orchid on the delph has flowered for the second year running, just hope no idiot decides to go and pick it.

view looking across to Heptonstall

2004-06-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

I should have added this in my previous entry.

Stoodley Pike

2004-06-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic of an old road I travelled down two sundays ago. There wasnt really time to go up to the pike itself, but I hope to one fine day soon. I must add that the view from up there is quite stupendous, Heptonstall church looks like a rabbit with its ears pricked up, way across the valley.

2004-06-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

This year we seem to have had far more vetch growing up on the delph than Ive seen in previous years.

Flowers

2004-06-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

In the 1960's laburnum trees were always in blossom for my grandmothers birthday on June 9th, now they are in flower mid may. Is this due to climate change or what?

Penwitchcamp.

2004-06-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

Me and my friend Klur arrived at the camp near Roughlee at about 10 am saturday 19th June.The view from there was stupndous with Pendle Hill as a backdrop on one side and a vista of Burnley and Pendle boroughs to the other. There was an excellent view of Blacko Hill and tower also.

This site is supposed to be about nature so I wont go on about what transpired on the camp except to say it was a marvellous experiance apart from the lousy weather. It must have been the coldest 2 days in june ever recorded in lancashire. However it was good to wake up to the sound of swallows tweeting overhead.

For the benefit of any pagans/druids/wiccans etc who may read this here is something I wrote almost 2 years ago.

FOUR SEASONS

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

WINTER

<o:p> </o:p>

It is Yule, the Solstice. I am Ceridwen, and from out of my bottomlesscauldren the Sun King, the Child of Hope is reborn. A tiny seed, long nurtured by the insulating blanket of snow and leaves ripens and begins to grow along with the first snowdrops.

<o:p> </o:p>

SPRING

<o:p> </o:p>

Your light is very weak, but each day you rise that bit higher in the cold sky. I am but a child. I am Epona, wild, unfettered, free, as I gallop skittishly across the pale blue sky, and you shyly play hide and seek with me, peeping out from time to time, and I enjoy our playful games. You are still so small and so far away, but I know that you are the one, you have always been mine and will be again. I feel a joyous expectation build up within me, and in your increasing light the cold snows begin to melt, the sheep give milk to their lambs, and I begin to grow anew, refreshed from my long sleep, stretching upwards towards you. Yet still we do not meet or love.

<o:p> </o:p>

It is the Equinox and I am Brigantia. The rounded hills are my bosoms, the long swaying grass is my long pale hair, the gentle breeze is my breath. I dress in white and green, and my trees are dotted with blossoms, like pretty pink bridesmaids swaying in unison. The tiny birds chorus of my love for you, “Oh, come to me now between my hills, amidst the long grass above my Pennine home. I see you my beloved, so radiant, so warm, be at one with me now” You partake of my sweet fragrant waters and are made whole again. And my stream becomes a river coursing down to the ocean, mingling with the waves, to crash over and over again on the liminal shore. And you are awakened, and reborn a man, and I am a woman. We are together and I adore you. The gentle rains fall but yourincreasing warmth causes me to grow in stature as my buds burst forth and open into a thick canopy of green leaves. My cornucopia is full to overflowing, my love for you is endless.

<o:p> </o:p>

SUMMER

<o:p> </o:p>

At May Eve I live amongst the bluebells and I greet thee, O Lord of the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place>Forest</st1:place>. You spread your green mantle all around and I bask in your light and heat. I am full of your love and the blackbirds sing sweetly of our love for one another, amidst the hawthorn blossom. By the Solstice you are with me all the time, I awake each morning and you are there, at <st1:time Hour="12" Minute="0">midday</st1:time> you are smiling down with passion upon me, when I go to rest you rest too for a little while. All my days start and end with you. My hair is golden, my skin is brown and I am gowned in emerald green and yellow. My perfume pervades all around. We are so complete, my joy for you is endless. “Oh, stay with me till the end of time, my beloved, never depart from me” But I see that even the brightest of lights cast the darkest of shadows and I turn my back on them and stay in your light. I am earth and water, you are fire and air. Your fire burns me consuming all my being, devouring me until I am one with you. I feel the scorching desert winds surround me, the light blinding me.

<o:p> </o:p>

AUTUMN

<o:p> </o:p>

At Lammas the corn has ripened and must be cut down. God, that is is necessary to cut you down in your prime and fruitfulness, to end it so suddenly. I don’t want to do this, but I have to, and it breaks my heart this sacrifice. The blood soaked rowans stand as a living testimony, I see them everywhere shrieking “why?” I bask in your dwindling warmth and call to you who is dying “Take me with you”, but I know that you cannot, it is not my time yet. First all my fruits have to be gathered in until I can yield no more. “Come, drink deeply of my wine, partake of my bread one last time.”

<o:p> </o:p>

After the great harvest my hair turns grey and my leaves turn red and fall to the ground with my tears. I shroud myself in mists of mourning and drape cobwebs around me. The darkness is now overtaking the light as you sink into your underworld kingdom, the chill only serves to remind me of my emptiness. Without your warmth to nourish and sustain me I can grow no more. I am fading too, all my colour disappearing leaving the monochrome greyness of awful autumn. All is silent, the little creatures have disappeared, the birds have flown, except for a lone raven who stares silently from her fence. That great cyclopean orb in the sky shines balefully down, making shadows of shadows. All is still and I am so alone. I cannot live without you my love, for without you I am nothing.

<o:p> </o:p>

As Samhain draws near I become Hekate, standing at the crossroads of life and death. My hair is white, like the first flakes of snow which fall onto my black cloak, my heart frozen like icicles. Winter has arrived.

<o:p> </o:p>

WINTER

<o:p> </o:p>

I can go on no longer without you. My life has come to an end. You are only a fragmentary weak light now, so distant, inexorably sinking lower. All around me darkness prevails along with my fast decaying leaves, trodden underfoot like my dreams. I must go deep within myself, inside my darkest recesses to find you again, but I cannot feel you, I cannot touch you, and how I yearn for you. Sleep, I must sleep, maybe somewhere I will find you again. I sink into the fathomless depths and as I sleep something stirs deep within me.

<o:p> </o:p>

It is Yule, the Solstice. I am Ceridwen, and from out of my bottomless cauldren the Sun King, the Child of Hope is reborn. A tiny seed, long nurtured by the insulating blanket of snow and leaves ripens and begins to grow with the first snowdrops.

<o:p> </o:p>

Cathy Bennett. August 2002

thursday 17th June

2004-06-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

I decided to go for a walk to the top of Crown Point via Woodplumpton Road, and was quite surprised to see so many common spotted orchids growing on the embankments on the way.

On reaching the first cattle grid I decided to take the route by Copy Clough, instead of the boring main road so over the stile I went, taking a downward route parallel with the golf course. The cotton grass was beginning to flower everywhere.

The path is very indistinct but there are markers every few yards or so. On reaching the very bottom, even though we had not had much rain for a few weeks, Copy Clough was stilll rather boggy so I trod on the bullrushes to crosss it very gingerly without getting wet feet. I enjoyed seeing meadow pipits parachuting down.

After crossing the clough it was uphill all the way, taking a zigzag route until it joined an equally zigzag path leading to a plantation of tree in remembrance of folks loved ones. Here you can have a tree planted in soneones name. By that time there was a steady drizzle and on reaching the car park the visibility was pretty poor. I could just about makeout the great bulk of Ingleborough up to the north, to the west the coastal line was very indistinct, certainly no sign of Blackpool Tower, however to the south east Stoodley Pike was in view.

This is a view looking towards Firemans Helmet on a clear day.

I decided to walk back on the main road and am glad I did because after just a short way I heard a cricket in the grass, the first one Ive heard since I was in Tunisia about 7 years ago. I could hear skylarks, a sound not very much heard these days, and 2 curlews kept circling around low. A hawk of some sort was chasing a flock of swallows. The lambs that were so tiny in march are now almost as big as their mothers, still trying to feed offf their mums but the ewes shoving them away as if to say, " you are big boys now".

By the time I got to Glenview Road it was fine again, the walk had taken me 2 hours.

todays walk

2004-06-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

I decided to go for a walk mid afternoon to wake myself up, having only had 3 hours sleep last night. Too much on my mind I guess. Anyway, it was dull and dreary though not too chilly, but at least it was fine.

I got a few yards up Woodplumpton Road then turned on the farm track to the left which leads to Lower Small Hazels Farm. Nearing the end of the track a bird suddenly swooped over me quite low, calling "kee Kee" loudly, thinking it was a kestrel I looked up only to find it swooping over me again after which it alighted on a fence. It wasnt a kestrel it was a lapwing, one of my very favourite moorland birds.

I must have been quite close to where she was nesting and thats why she was circling around me. Upon reaching the farm I turned to the left to get onto the Burnley Way. A huge shire horse in the field came galloping over to greet me, I patted his nose but he was so eager to be friendly he almost shoved me into the ditch at the right hand side of the track. I ran the rest of the way before the track narrows with the hoss in hot pursuit. Towards the bottom section of the path it was completely overgrown in herbage of some kind, and as the path is very narrow and steep I found it quite dangerous as I couldnt see where I was putting my feet.

On joining Glenview Road I then took the turning through the woods near to Lower Timberhill and from there back to my home.

today

2004-05-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I went for a short stroll up Healey Heights, but didnt go right to the top, I took a left hand turn and came out on land between Lower and Higher Howarth Fold Farms. Actually the latter is now called Wayside. There has been some new reafforestation in the vacinity and I wanted to see howthe new saplings were doing. Was sad to find that a baby oak tree had been uprooted and left to die.I cant understand the mentality of some folk. Surely anything that will enhance out planet is something to be nurtured not destroyed.

To get back to a lighter note, May must be the prettiest month of the year, all the trees in blossom, daisies and buttercups brightening up the fields, lilac trees in gardens, and all around us the erotic scent of hawthorns.

Saw one solitary moor fritillary, and a raven on Berry Street, not its usual haunt.

sunday the 16th

2004-05-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

I was on Manchester Road station for just before noon.As I sat there in the glorious sunshine, listening to the birds twittering away in the trees, on the opposite side of the platform I saw a bright yellow butterfly. It could have been a brimstone but was too far away for me to be sure.The eastbound train arrived on time and 20 mins later, after a stifling journey, I was in Hebden Bridge. It was a relief to get out into the fresh air again.

A short walk along the canal towpath took me to a cafe by the Alternative technology centre. After a much needed glass of coke I took the road past where Fosters Mill used to be and then the riverside path leading up to Midgehole.Even in the woods it was still very warm, I didnt need the warm jacket I had brought with me. After the weir I took a steep path through a gap in the wall and soon was quite breathless. All around the woods were carpeted with bluebells. At one stage when I was resting I heard an owl hoot, something must have disturbed it. Eventually I reached the old methodist chapel at Heptonstall, walked round to the side of it and then along a path through some fields parallel with the main road.They were quite yellow with dandelions and buttercups. I rejoined the main road and then walked down into the village. Far away in the distance I could see the transmitter at Emley Moor. It was with relief when I finally sat down outside the pub with a lovely cold drink, watching and listening to the swallows as they flew from roof to roof to telegraph wires.

To get back to hebden Bridge I walked down the Buttress, much easier going down than up I hasten to add.In the park everyone was laid out in the hot sunshine. As my train back home wasnt for ages I then walked along the canal as far as Mytholm, and took a short walk up through the woods, circling back to near the church of St John the Great.

My train was 18 mins delayed but I was in no hurry to get back, it had been a glorious day in some of the most beautiful countryside in England.

what I deleted yesterday.

2004-05-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

Above it a pic of an orange tip butterfly, Ive noticed quite a lot of them over this past week or so, mainly flittering about on pasture and open moorland. They seem to favour mayflowers.

The hawthorns are almost out in blosson now, I love their scent, its a sure sign that summer is approaching. I dont celebrate Beltane untill they are in flower. Laburnums appear to be flowering 4 weeks earlier than they did in the mid sixties. If its a sign of global warming well and good but I'm very sceptical on that issue.

The swallows arrived back on around April 26th, 2 weeks earlier than last year. They come to the same nest up at the farm each year, I always keep a lookout for them in spring.

This morning looked as though it would brighten up to be a lovely day, so I stuck my washing out in the yard and guess what. It rained!!! Thats why Ive not been out for my daily walk as yet.

My tomcat Bonny is being impeached tomorrow. Poor pussycat. He is a very lean silky black cat and awfully timid. We've had him since he was a newborn kitten. His mum, Sparky, dissappeared a few weeks later and her sister Patch took on the job of feeding him.She and her kitten Timmy are also getting done this week. Will cost a fortune in vets fees but it will be worth it.