Monday 27th December

The thaw has started at last...temperature above freezing this morning and the house feels positively balmy.
Goosestep  and Bobblehead appeared early on , with a group of about 10 greedy youngsters arriving later.

Old mans beard and rosehips on the way to the lake.



the snow melt is running down to the lake under the ice gradually melting it.

I then came across a bizarre scene, I saw a deer struggling by the fence, I assumed I had startled it and it had become entangled, I stood still to wait for it to calm and saw another creature streak away up the path, I was so surprised I didn't really take it all in, but it appeared to be badger sized but black and tan, the deer got away but left a lot of fur and blood on the fence, I still haven't worked out what had happened but I think the deer was injured, in this cold weather it will be difficult for it, at one time there was a gamekeeper you could pass these things to and he would keep an eye out and if necessary shoot the creature but things move on.

Christmas Eve

Well, as forecast the sun appeared today, it is amazing how it changes everything.
I had a quick walk down to the lake the sun was just high enough to shine through the trees onto the frozen lake.

And then I  caught sight of my shadow in the snow....I have always wanted long legs.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.....

Tuesday 21st December

nasty fog this morning, but a thaw started and by lunchtime I was able to get out of the lane with a fair chance of getting back home.
Bobblehead came early on for breakfast, he is looking good, the feathers growing again on his neck.

Goosestep came as well, a couple of younger birds were leading him a merry dance....all energy gained from eating the seed was lost chasing them off, it was real panto stuff, as he chased one so the other would sneak to the wall and gobble the food.

I would dearly love to see the sun....forecast for friday apparently, can't wait.

Sunday 19th December

It's back...the pesky white stuff, and so cold.
I haven't managed a walk out as still have work to do.
The horse in the field were fairly frisky sparking each other up, some have coats on now and the ones without coats keep tugging at them with their teeth.

I have just heard there may be more snow tomorrow.....Rats..

It is very pretty at the moment....we just need to slow up and enjoy it I think.
Bobblehead has been around again and is looking good.

Tuesday 14th December

I am feeling really sorry for myself as I am so busy I have hardly put my nose out of the door. I am getting desperate for fresh air and exercise....I am working really hard this week to try and complete my orders by Friday, so after that I hope to fit a walk back into my day.
i am just posting today as Bobblehead was back, hadn't seen him since last Tuesday so it was great to see him, he looks fat and healthy and even chased goosestep off, I wonder where he goes?
Has anybody seen this bird?

I will be back at the weekend.

Tuesday 7th December.

A truly beautiful Hoar frost this morning, I drove through the fog and frost to Bishops Waltham and it was spectacular. the fog lifted and the sun came out, sadly by the time I got home the fog was back.
Goosetep came for some seed ,again,  seeing off all others,I think I saw Bobblehead at the end of the garden , if it was him he looked healthy.

I put leftover spagetti out for the scavengers, the garden hoodies love it.

it was too late when I got home , I started a walk down to the lake but realised it would be dark soon, not only that but it was really cold. The trees still had their coating of frost.

It struck me how odd it was to see this amount of frost when the trees still have leaves on .

The animals in the fields look really fed up, both the horses and the cows were lying on their hay rather than eating it, I wish for sun for them (and the farmers) tomorrow.

friday 3rd December

Very cold and foggy morning, I had 2 reasons to clear the drive of snow....both of which cancelled just as I finished.
the sun came out this afternoon , just as I had wished yesterday, so I piled on the layers and waterproofs and headed out. I walked down to the lake, across to the reservoir then through the woods, the man with the bike and huskies had been there before me which helped with pathfinding.
mainly I saw snow and things covered in snow so I won't say anymore I'll just show the pictures.

fantastic Blue sky.

Who needs tinsel

Across the horse field to Noar hill.

Snow sculptures.



a little top heavy.



Web on the line.



Thursday 2nd December

Woke up to an awful lot of snow...very pleased I had piles of work to get on with at home. Normally I would want to walk out in the snow but just going to the top of the garden filled my wellies with snow. my feet were quickly frozen.
I had meant to put the garden furniture away, but it looks strangely comfortable.

Great excitement for the horses today, their feed arrived on a tractor and trailer which spooked them somewhat, once they realised what was on it it was every horse for themself. Their water was frozen so the trough was lifted by the tractor and given a right thumping and then refilled from a massive plastic container.

This Blue Tit kept hovering outside the window, not sure if it was begging, or fancied its reflection.

I wish for a blue sky and sunshine tomorrow.

Wednesday 01 December

Bitter wind coming in from the east, my first sight from the window this morning was of the horses tucking into piles of food, I was delighted to see them fed.
And the next thing was seeing Bobblehead alive and well...he obviously has a quieter spot to feed and arrived here after the flock had moved on.

Spotted this bird in the rose bush and cannot identify it exactly from the books I have, I think it is  redwing from the stripes over its eyes, but none of the books mention the blushed breast.

I didn't get out for a walk so apologies if it is a little dull today, the snow and ice meant that I spent 1hr preparing for a 30 mile round trip, clearing and gritting the drive. After that there was very little daylight left. I hope to get out tomorrow.

I fed the birds three times today and still there was a queue for the nuts.

Tuesday 30th November

Well the snow came, and the temperature went up but the wind and wetness of the snow made it quite unpleasant outside.
No Bobblehead again, Goosestep arrived and did a bit of revving up on the slippery snow.

I walked again to the lake, no sign of the sheep I expect they had found a sheltered spot. and no sign of the Heron either. The snow was laying on the ice .

In the entrance to the cow pasture a weed (not sure if it is angelica, hogweed or cow parsley) is doubled in size by its topping of snow.

The horses in the field were very agitated, jumping at the slightest movement I was glad there was a fence between us as they rushed up to me, I think they were looking for food as the grass was covered in snow.
Hopefully they will be fed before they return to their shelter under the trees. They were quite vocal this evening.

Monday 29th November

Even colder today, and I decided to walk a route I haven't done for about 10years which was interesting as I got a little disorientated , eventually mmanaged to find my way back to a path I knew, I shall try it again as it is a good walk around the edge of the valley it was very quiet and I saw the white bottoms of about 8 deer...I was too late and too noisy and it was too cold to stay still for long.

 You can see the frost crystals growing on this nettle.

The lake was pretty much frozen solid, only the inlet and outlet remained liquid, one of the Herons waits to see fish under the ice, I had waited a good while for him to get this close. My extremities and some other bits were freezing.

he didn't stay long, a buzzard was overhead swooping low into the treetops and the Heron flew off.

I have found a couple of good viewing spots and will return another day.

No posts for the next day or so as I will be away during daylight hours, I hope I may see Bobblehead as I haven't seen him for a couple of days, Goosestep has been around and seems to have taken on Bobbles bolshieness, we have a flock trying to muscle in (12 in waiting this morning), and Goosestep waddles around trying to see them off. His bad leg is shorter than the other and if he is on a flat surface he seems to rev it up before he gets traction.

Friday 26th November

Brrrr..... very cold but a fantastic sunny day.

The lake had a thin layer of ice on it. Two herons flew in and turned immediately around as they saw my bright pink scarf! stupid IOB.

Loads of thistles ....all covered in frost.

Well look at this ! I have never seen one of these before, what great colour in November. It is a Spindle tree it flowers in May, these are the fruits, the seeds are covered in a bright orange fleshy material, and these are enclosed in a cherry pink capsule. It gets its name from the fact that its wood is used for the spindles in the spinning of wool. It is apparently widespread in the uk as far north as southern Scotland but I have never seen one at this fruiting stage. I want one for my garden.

Wednesday 24th November

A frosty morning as forecast, I had some work to do so I was a little later getting out than I would have liked. It was still very beautiful, things I would normally ignore were wrapped in a coat of sparkling white.

 every contour gets a coating.

The one that didn't run away....and she still has a tail.

and she had a coating of frost on her fleece.

Bobblehead arrived for breakfast again avoiding the rush hour, he looked a bit healthier and some feathers were growing back on his neck.

Monday 22nd November

A busy work day today so no time for walking.
I managed to see Bobblehead which was a relief as he hadn't been looking good, and then on Saturday morning he was pounced upon by a much bigger,stronger pigeon he/she was pinned down and the pigeon just kept stabbing Bobbles head.....poor thing he has a bald spot anyway so not a lot of protection.....he arrived to feed today but not at prime time. I think he has lost control of his territory.

Two woodpeckers as well, no wonder I am constantly filling the nuts up.

Friday 19th November

I Managed a walk today, after all the rain everywhere looked dull and muddy, only the cobwebs and water droplets sparkled .

A ladybird is visible at the bottom, Selborne has swarms of Ladybirds in the summer, at a friends the other day she opened the window and the recess was packed with thousands of them, it was difficult to close the window again and we were aware that we had just murdered hundreds in their bed. Every window is the same and we were told it is always the same at that end of the village. Gilbert White doesn't mention them at all so maybe they are a recent occurance.

the water droplets are held wherever you look.

A view across the muddy lake, it has a very distinctive smell at the moment and I was pleased not to have a dog with me.