Friday 16 September 2016

Wild Life









Moving back out into the countryside from the city has been a lot easier than I imagined.  I thought I would miss the street light, local shops, takeaways and being able to walk to the local bars and restaurants......well I can't say I really miss any of it, perhaps I'm getting old :)  It is strange to actually have dark nights, to need to grab a torch to go outside (of course most of the outside lights don't work) and to listen to the strange noises of the night, not the usual drunk people coming home at silly o'clock in the morning, but foxes, a sound we used to hear in the fields next to us before 200 houses were built there. A cockerel crows on one of the nearby farms at random times and the tractors are pretty busy at this time of year early in the morning to late at night.  I find myself inspecting poo I find in the field trying to guess what animal left it,  yes our 'wild' life gets that exciting.  We have settled into our quiet life amazingly well after urban living for 16 years, though we have yet to experience a winter here. Even this time of year has been very different from our previous location, I have used my fog lights more than ever before, it seems to have a unique climate of it's own up here,  as I drive to work I discover that everywhere else is clear of fog and the sun is shining.  It's like those old horror movies where the fog drifts across the moors.......

During the huge storms we had recently, our son and I sat in the conservatory watching the sky light up every few seconds, it was like being outside without getting wet.  I don't know why I had such a downer on conservatories before, we practically live in it now, watching the moths, stars and distant lights in the evenings.  The rain caused flooding in towns across Cornwall and when I noticed the dog bowls moving across the floor I realised that the kennels where my sons dogs are staying were flooding.  The drain was blocked (oh what a surprise) but after clearing it out and putting dry bedding in their sleeping area they were happy and didn't seem bothered by the storm.  They are loving their stay in the country with runs around the field several times a day and their luxury kennels with separate sleeping and outside areas.  Our cat is loving it even more that she hasn't had to hide the whole time they are here.  She looks out at them smugly.


I have been out photographing what wildlife I can find and hope to encourage more to our home by creating a wildlife pond. (still to be negotiated with the bearded one) and leaving the edges of the field uncut (also to be negotiated)   In the mean time I have put out feeders which so far has only been visited by a brave blue tit  There is also a scruffy little Robin who follows me around the veg patch, I think it must be moulting as it is a sorry sight.






The underside of the Red Admiral is just as beautiful

I didn't think I would be seeing the Speckled Wood here in the field


Plenty of rabbits

Most of the House Martins seem to have left for the winter

Garden Cross spider creating beautiful webs in the garden


I have also managed to make some blackberry and grape jam, and stored the rest in the freezer for when I have more time for jam making.  It would be lovely to have more time at home to get things done, but I love the weekends here!!!





Thank you for all your well wishes to our son, he is still staying with us as his recovery is not going as well as hoped.  On a purely selfish level I am loving having him here and his friends who come to visit, it makes a change from just me and the old man :)  We are also getting out in the field several times a day walking his dogs which is lovely.  I'm still looking to get our own dog but can't decide on a breed.  All the rescue dogs I have seen have said not suitable with very young children or cats so not really an option.  Retired greyhounds would chase the cat and anything else that moves so again not suitable.  The dog for us is out there somewhere.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend,

Chickpea xx
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18 comments:

  1. What absolutely stunning photos ! You must be so chuffed being back in the countryside.
    We've had a greyhound, not exactly retired from racing but a rescue from the greyhound industry, and he was really great with cats. We've had lurchers before, and now, again no problems.
    Have a great weekend in the country. xxx...x

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  2. How lovely that you are settling in so well, I love the darkness of the night and listening to the countryside coming to life at night, I have just been outside looking at the harvest moon and watching the bats :-)

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    1. The moon is beautiful at the moment isn't it

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  3. Hey Chickpea,
    I spend most of my time in my conservatory too. It is the perfect place to enjoy weather and nature. our photo of the Admiral is stunning. Have a lovely weekend.
    Leanne xx

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  4. Still envious of your Country home, so pleased that you have settled and are in your home heaven. Love the little Robin, looks very much like the one we have in our garden, we think ours has had three broods this summer hence why it's looking so shabby. It took me about five years to convince my husband that we should have a conservatory, now we have got it he can't keep out of it, wonderful looking at the stars on a lovely clear night. Enjoy your weekend in the country.

    Hope your Son feels better soon, slow recovery is better than feeling fine and then overdoing things. Look forward to your next blog post. THANK YOU

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  5. Glad to see all is going well. You've managed to capture some great wildlife photos, they never keep still for me!

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  6. I would love a conservatory; the thought of watching the storms from one sounds so cosy. Your photos are beautiful and that scruffy little robin is adorable. Hope your son is well again very soon. xx

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  7. i can't imagine living in the city again, all the artificial light and noise. *shudder*. none of our outside lights work either and we've been here 4 years....lol

    lovely photos! your robin friend looks a lovely little chap. xo

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  8. I am thrilled you are settling into your new home and loving the countryside. There will be the perfect dog out there for you somewhere, you will find each other when the time is right. Hope your son is on the mend.

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  9. What a lovely post, I love living in the country too and I never, ever thought that would be where I would love to live ! X

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  10. I enjoy being out in the rain for some perverse reason, just makes being outside a shade more adventurous. But not if its thundering!

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  11. Hi Chickpea,I was nodding to everything I read in this post.The mist,the wildlife,the Poo scrutiny hee hee.I do all that here too.I love sitting in the Conservatory and just looking out at the fields and seeing who is up the Beacon through me Binoculars.I know a lot of people don't like Magpies but I love them.We have a Bird Bath for them and it's so funny watching them fight to get in the bath for a wash.Love your photos always so Beautiful and interesting.That lil Robin is so darn cute.You will have to name him/her.Best Wishes to your son.Huggles and a Huge Cuddle for Ziggy xx

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  12. Oh what lovely photos and I can just picture the dog bowls moving across the floor :). It has been very foggy here too, quite spooky in the early morning. We saw three moose last week and I am scared of walking into them in the fog....but I suppose they hear my flip-flops...! We have considered putting out a salt stone at the forest edge to attract deer, only nuisance is that is attracts Moose too. I have a very sweet little Golden retriever lady who is lovely with the children and cats. Not easy choosing a breed. Blessings, Pam in Norway

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  13. Hi Chickpea. I hope your son is on the mend again soon, lovely though it must be to have him (and his dogs) home again. I would love a conservatory - OH professes to hate them. Perhaps there will be one there already at the Next House (IF we can ever attract a buyer here). I will recommend Whippets as good all round family dogs. Ours were brilliant with the children and fine with the cats too. They are the original Flat Out dog - either flat out running, or flat out asleep!

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  14. Oh what a lovely post, love the rabbits in the grass. Would love to move to the country but it will never happen so must be content with the town.
    Briony
    x

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  15. Great pics of the wildlife and am so pleased it's all working out so well x

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  16. totally agree with you about the smaller critters closer to hope, nature is all around us and its amazing how much wildlife you can see when you take the time to slow down and look for it. love the photos, thanks for sharing :)

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