Meanderthals Virtual Walk?

As we've not been able to have a Meanderthal walk, or see each other since the 12th March (the Morecambe promenade walk), we decided that this week we should have a 'virtual' walk.

As part of our permitted 'daily exercise', we each did our own long or short walk but the instruction dictated that we should take picture of ourselves on the walk and submit it for this blog.........Here are the results!!

Harry got off to an early start with a walk through Highgate Park. Savick Brook, known to some of us as Sandy Brook, flows through the park between Sharoe Green Lane and Garstang Road (A6).

He combined his walk with a visit to a shop to buy milk for his grandson. Well done for finding a bridge Harry!

For Anthony, it was also a walk through Highgate Park, from the Sharoe Green Lane side. This selfie was taken with the back view of Archbishop Temple CE High School on St. Vincent's Road.

The coronavirus lock-down has given him an opportunity to get his garden up to scratch (Almost!)

Barbara and Danny had a six mile walk to and around Cottam. The day began overcast, but with sunny periods. Here is one of the lakes.

A virtual Danny!

A young lady with two male admirers

Another of the lakes

"Me again."

 Our path, dipping under Tom Benson Way.

We knew it was too good to last.

The compulsory bridge shot.

 'Tis my birthday on Saturday so Barbara has baked us all cakes.    Enjoy your virtual cakes!

(They'd better become a reality soon!)  AD.
Happy Birthday! From all real Meanderthals

James D and I (JW) walked around Grimsargh Reservoirs now known as "Wetlands. Socially Distanced of course. 

James on the old railway line to Longridge

Leaving the railway embankment. First stile in months.

But where there's one stile...….

A view across the wetlands towards my house seen just

 beyond the far bank above my left hand.

The wetlands are full of nesting birds of all kinds.

Here's a family of Greylag Geese.

John W has also been walking and cycling on other days trying to build up the strength in legs unused for several months.

Leaving Elston Lane heading towards Alston Lane. 

(the footpath to Ribchester)

A stile too far. Knee beginning to complain so I turned back

 as I had the same distance to walk on the return journey

Almost back to Elston Lane.

OVER to JIM C.

Jim C....

No walk but bike ride again today - a very safe way of securing social distancing.  

From Penwortham Preston looked beak and most unpromising this afternoon but as I leisurely glided down to the river the overcast sky sensitively parted its cloud cover for a moment or two enabling me to capture the requisite tree shot.  

This tree has been firmly lodged on the main line rail bridge for at least the past three years. It may be longer.  The deceptive appearance juxtaposition of adjacent new growth adds to the peculiar image of the fallen oak.
(Definitely "Tree of the Week") AD

Martin went for a walk around his garden.
Here are is pics.

 

A manicured lawn and a miniature water feature

Some pretty flowers

One way to occupy your time during lock down

Paintings by Mick Kilgallon
This one is called Desert Orchid

Tips for a happy life

Nudist Cricket Match

Max Boyce had a poem for us....

Click on the picture....and then on his nose!

SEE WEED

ISOLATION 5 - WILD FLOWERS

In my garden there are lots of beautiful Wild Flowers. These are also known as WEEDS ! Now this could be because I can't be bothered pulling them up,. This method of gardening is straight out of the "BONE IDLE GARDENERS HANDBOOK.

However I prefer to say it is because I like to share my garden with the natural world be it plant or animal.

Here are some of the beautiful wild flowers:-

DAISiES

DANDELIONS

BLUEBELLS

You have to admit they are all rather pretty.

It's always difficult to decide to eradicate a weed from the garden. Take nettles for example.

When you refer to your wildflower books you discover that are important to a whole host of butterflies and other insects.    Can't get rid of those.

And no self respecting nettle would be without it's accompanying Dock Plant. Nettles have a heart you know.

And this plant seems to springing up all over the garden. 

 Get rid of it ? NO ! It's called "Garlic Mustard " and the book tells me it's the main food source of the Orange Tip butterfly...…. and lo and behold what should flutter by as I contemplated it's imminent demise ? An Orange Tip Butterfly.  Reprieve !  ! !

There are some plants that although wildflowers one would not consider destroying them. Who, for instance, would get rid of Wild Strawberries which crop up all over the garden.

And there are some plants which are not weeds but behave like weeds, Aquilegia for example.  And this one does not benefit  pretty butterflies or even not so pretty beetles and earwigs.

This self seeding plant also pops up all over the garden but many people do not know that it's seeds and roots are highly poisonous. Now that's one that does need to be eradicated. Especially if there are grandchildren running round the garden.

I did say that I like to think I share my garden with the wildlife...……...

 ......but if that Wood PIgeon takes a fancy to my gooseberries or rhubarb - it is a dead bird.

May I close with the final verse from my favourite poem

"INVERSNAID" 

by Gerard Manley Hopkins

What would the world be once bereft

of wet and of wildness let them be left

Oh let them be left wildness and wet

Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet.

John W

Don't try this at home!!

It's hilarious!

Womens Brains - Mens Brains It's a no brainer

We'll meet again, (Queen)

Enjoying social isolation with my family..........Not

Just for a laugh!

The result of
decades of
under-investment
in cycle paths

AMPHIBIANS !

ISOLATION 4 :-

FROGS, TOADS and NEWTS

Perhaps because we have a reservoir - now a nature reserve - at the end of the garden, we are frequently visited by little amphibian friends.

Frogs come to our little pond to spawn. Toads live in our greenhouse during the winter and from time to time newts appear on the garden paths looking lost and bewildered. 

I have searched the garden this morning but there are none to be found at the moment . After weeks of dry weather they are probably hidden safely away in a cool, damp hiding place.

BUT NEVER MIND WE HAVE OUR OWN FROGS IN THE GARDEN

You will remember I mentioned a large frog in a previous blog.

It is not the only frog inhabiting our garden.

This one lives on the edge of the pond quite close to the "Ancient Mariner"  (see previous blog) and I suspect they spend the day chatting to each other.

A rather superior frog (possibly thought to be a bit "Brassy") keeps it's eye on the wrought iron bistro set. It also has delusions of being an excellent time keeper.

At least two of the frogs have actually been set to work in the garden. This little chap is holding fast to a young Clematis and making sure it climbs up the arch where it is intended.

As we enter the "Far" garden we can find another little frog also tasked with a job. She guards the entrance to the garden and wouldn't dream of sharing her secret with anyone.

Our final frog has been with us for many years. He's a happy little chap and sits on the window frame of the conservatory singing cheerily to anyone who will listen.

With so many frogs in the garden perhaps this pot is well named

Please don't think I am being disrespectful to our cross channel Gallic cousins. Our Daughter-in-law is French (Parisienne) and when our son got married in France. Invitations and place labels bore the inscription "Froggy & Biftec" invite you to their wedding etc. Biftec being the name the French use for the English ("All they eat is Beef steak"). So if the French don't mind the use of the nickname "froggy" I feel able to risk it myself.

John W.