We took a three hour wander around the farm - loving all the grace of springtime. From our back door, we walked along the hedgerow where the blackthorn blossoms are starting to pass rapidly. Soon it will be the hawthorns turn to blossom. Butterflies danced amongst us especially brimstones and orange tips. Dandelion flowers everywhere, and the elders are budding.
We reached the woods, and as we go in through the stone wall, it is like heading into a different world. The light is different, the smells are different, it's cooler, moss, tree stumps, so, so many trees now wearing their glorious green gowns, a luxurious looking green carpet of dog's mercury covers the woodland floor, gently swishing wind playing softly amongst the new leaves and gentle buzzing of insect life. We spent awhile watching stink bugs and ladybirds.
Then deeper in the woods, the bluebells are just starting to open. My sista, Suzanne, I always think of you when its bluebell hazy magic carpet time in the woods.
There are patches of wood anemones up - patches of fallen stars. These are not in abundance in these woods and I hope they will increase.
Just on the edge of the woods we checked on a patch of stunning yellow archangel nettles. These are good cousins of the white dead nettle and red dead nettles, although not seen as often. I love their name!
We walked alongside two fields of wheat and past a favourite oak tree on which we discovered a few oak galls.
We were interested to notice that the wee wasp had drilled himself out of this one and flown free - just look at that little exit hole.
And then past this field we call Pheasant Field sown with oats. It doesn't seem all that long ago this was planted and now look!
And to visit the pigs.
A happy mama pig chilling in a glorious mud bath. Just look at that top quality mud!!
Haybale time.
And then home for lunch!
We have taken to going for walks around the farm most evenings. It is a lovely time of day. Still warm yet quiet with rabbits and deer to be spotted and lots of birds preparing to head for their nests for the night, and the sun just starting to set as we make our way home. The crops now almost ready to harvest look so beautiful shining with golden goodness lit up by the setting sun.
The boys ride their bikes along the dirt tracks and race along down slopes. They have had a few minor bumps when they have raced down so fast and flown off their bikes.
We have loved climbing atop the silage bales and gazing far around us. For some reason, the boys call these halo bales!
