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Save Our Hedgehogs

For more information please go to http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hedgehog-street.html

Tuesday 30 September 2014

Seasons are a changing too.

Hi Folks

Yup, it's really me.  Sorry that I've been missing for (quite) a while again.

We've certainly had some wonderful weather this Summer and it looks like Autumn is continuing to be good.

Earlier this month, I finally had a break  - four years on!  It was only a Monday - Friday one, but oh my I NEEDED it!
We went to New Romney in Kent.  The weather was absolutely fabulous.  Our dear daughter and her partner came along too.  A wonderful time was had by all :o)


New Romney is only a mile or so away from Dungeness (England's only desert) the most atmospheric place I have visited in the UK.  It's a favourite area, and it's been some years since we were there last.  I'm delighted to say that the place had hardly changed at all.
I celebrated (another) birthday while we were there.

Derek Jarmans Garden - Prospect Cottage.


When we went to Hythe - another of my favourite places. A place we've been to many times before however, I'd never noticed this ancient plaque set into a wall leading to a church before.



We also visited Winchelsea - a lovely village.  We visited Spike Milligans grave in the beautiful, ancient churchyard.


There was quite a few folk paying respects to Spike, a man that has given laughter to millions.

* * *

I realise that I'm changing as I grow older - in mind as well as body!  I hardly buy any 'bargains' these days, and I'm far happier taking things TO the charity shop.  Quite a change eh?
I'm still very involved with the delightful little prickly creatures that visit our garden each night, and of course the rescue centre, who are invaluable.  My interest in wildlife photography is deepening, and if I get the chance I escape for a few hours with my camera for a little 'me' time.
I've just upgraded my camera, from a Panasonic Lumix FZ38 to a Panasonic Lumix FZ72, which I took out yesterday afternoon for it's first memorable outing to the nearby outstanding beauty of Cannock Chase.  I was very happy trying to get to know the camera settings and taking various shots.



Male Pheasant
Male Chaffinch
Fallow deer (mother and child) crossing the road
Then, a truly magical thing happened.  I had been taking images of some birds from the car when looked up, and there, right in front of the car was a fox.  He walked around, and came to the water dishes (that someone leaves out) for a long, long drink. 





I was smiling for hours afterwards :o)
(Made me think of the lovely Snowbird with her rescue foxes.)

I'd taken some other photos over the last few weeks, here's a few.


Juvenile green woodpecker with a crow looking on.



Robin

Sadly, I also missed some good shots of a rare Summer visitor to this area, 
the red backed shrike.  I kept seeing the little blighter but it was always just out of a clear shot, except the only time I hadn't got the camera ready!

* * *
So it looks like when I do get around to making a post it stands a very good chance it's going to involve wildlife!

* * *
On other matters....
I'm still my Mothers only carer as she will not budge and allow me to get help, though I have recently joined the local carers association.  I attended my first meeting this week - they seem a lovely bunch, and I'm certain they will be a great support network for me.

Hope to be back soon as time allows.  I do still pop in and out to visit you - thought I admit to rarely leaving comments, shame on me :o(

Best wishes to all you lovely folk out there.


x x x

Oh! just thought of a quick P.S.
(Than will probably make you smile)

I love runner beans and I always manage to get some in the garden. This year I've been overrun with the dreaded slugs, and as you know I would NEVER use slug pellets, and the little buggers had a go at my beans.  I had read that coffee grounds are a good deterrent, so when I saw some on offer at McDonalds for a £2 charity donation I snapped them up.  However, when I saw that the bag of grounds was HUGE (around 20 pounds in weight!) I wondered if I'd done the right thing.  
As soon as I unloaded them from the car I put a good, thick layer around the beans thinking that'd sort 'em out.  Little did I know that the caffeine woke the little buggers up and instead of just having a quick munch during the hours of darkness they were at it all day.  By the next morning all I had left was one solitary flower! :o(  It's the first year I haven't had the delights of home grown beans as I pit the remaining stems and roots into the compost heap.  Take that as a lesson folks!
Anyone out there know of a good use for coffee grounds?**

**Thanks to Vintage Jane here's a good link - just don't believe the bit about slugs ;)


xx






12 comments:

Jay said...

I'm so pleased you managed a break Rose, I'm sure it was much needed . Lovely photos and how special to get such great ones of the fox! Take care x

rusty duck said...

Great to see you back Rose, especially with such wonderful photos. The new camera is working well for you. Love the deer and the fox, and the pheasant (of course!).

Vintage Jane said...

Yay, Rose is back!!
So glad you managed to get a lovely break away. I have never been to that part of the country and really must.
Your photos are great ... amazing close-ups of the fox! I would have been smiling all day too.
So funny ... I can just imagine your hyper slugs. As for what to do with the grounds - there are a few interesting uses here http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/07/how-to-recycle-used-coffee-grounds.html but I noticed that one of them is to 'repel slugs'!
Good to hear from you again Rose ...
M xx

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

I'm pleased to see you back blogging. Lovely photos of the wildlife, I love the fox ones. Oh my, your poor runner beans, you learn something new every day! Take care. xx

Sandies' Patch said...

I've heard that human hair is a slug deterrent, although I suspect that like most deterrents, once wet it is not such a barrier! Coarse grit might help?

Unknown said...

Good to see a post from you. Beautiful photos!!

ann said...

Hi Rose. I had to blink twice to make sure it was you. I have missed you. Wonderful photos of your get away. You know how much I love seeing the English country side. Coffee grounds are good around roses and in the garden, generally; however, if they invite slugs, I might just leave them at McDonalds. Caring for you mom must be exhausting. It is awfully food to see you; I hope you don't stay away so long.

Snowbird said...

What a pleasure it was to read this post, a real treat for me! The pics are absolutely stunning and remind me that I must get a decent camera too!!!The woodpecker is amazing, I have one in the garden but never see more than a flash of red. The deer are stunning and as for that fox....wow, I would have been smiling too. Now that's how I prefer to see them, in the wild and healthy!!!
How good that you got a break, and that you shall have a little support while caring for your mum.
Thanks for the mention, how sweet that you thought of me, that has me smiling away. Good to see you back, I have missed you. Now don't you stay away too long...xxx

Julie said...

It's so good to see you here again.

Mary said...

Sweet Rose I've missed you here so much. When I opened UK Country Living and saw the article on the hedgehog I thought of you.

So glad you were able to get away to Romney for a break - loved your pics of the scenery and especially the animals and birds.

Bet the hoggies are preparing for hibernation soon - that will keep you busy along with all you do to assist your mom. Blessings to you dear one - I know it's not easy peasy!

Hope you can continue to post now and then - we all miss you. Have you had time to go treasure hunting lately? Hope so.

Enjoy autumn - it's my favorite time of year.
Much love, Mary

Louise said...

It was great to hear from you, I thought you have given up blogging. I was shocked to hear you've given up your buying habits, hehe! Great to see all the lovely wildlife photos. I'm envious that you saw the shrike! There was a great grey shrike not far from here in Derbyshire a couple of years ago and I didn't managed to see that one either!

acorn hollow said...

So good to see you back your photos are amazing! keep all of your egg shells crush them up when snails go across it they hate the feel of the sharp edges of the egg shells.
Cathy