January Collage

 

Another cold but bright day.

We walked at South Bentley this morning. The sky was a beautiful clear blue , the sun was out again and the wind was not as strong as yesterday. We had a pleasant walk through the enclosure and then out in the open . We avoided the stream as Missy is still on the lead and we didn't want Raffles getting cold and wet. Several times we saw Fallow deer, the dogs only picked up their scent once, the rest of the time we could see them quietly grazing in the distance.

The gate to South Bentley Enclosure. 

The sky was blue but it was cold. 

Ice on a puddle.....the ice was very thick but I like the patterns  

Winter tree trunks 

Deer grazing 

The remains of a dead tree provide a useful seat. 

Lets go Home and get warm!

The sun was out this morning and the sky was blue, but an Icy cold wind was blowing! It was very cold and we were glad when we got back in the car to drive home.
However we are nearly at the end of January and already the evenings are a little lighter.
The bulbs are pushing up in the garden and soon it will be Spring.

A bare Oak tree. 

Missy with her ball 

A moss covered tree trunk 

Another Snowdrop Poem

To the Snowdrops

Oh snowdrops, I think that
You came in the night,
In only your nighties
And that's why you're white.
The world was all sleeping
With never a sound,
You wanted to see it
So came through the ground.
I think that you're smiling,
But still feel too shy
To lift your sweet faces
To smile at the sky

Melinda Kennedy

Snowdrops at Kingston Lacey

The gardens at Kingston Lacet are famous for their snowdrops. These pictures were taken at the end of January a couple of years ago. They are very delicate flowers and usually are at their best late january or very early February. I just have a few clumps in the garden but they look spectacular in large clumps.

The drive at Kingston Lacey 

Snowdrops at Kingston lacey 

Snowdrops

Snowdrops 

The First snowdrops.

TO A SNOWDROP
Lone flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they But hardier far, once more I see thee bend Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend, Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day, Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylay The rising sun, and on the plains descend; Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May Shall soon behold this border thickly set With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers; Nor will I then thy modest grace forget, Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring, And pensive monitor of fleeting years!

1819. William Wordsworth

Weekend Blogging at sweetnicks

Missy and Raffles take a dip in Slufters Pond.

Another beautiful Sunday

It was very warm and sunny this morning and the forest was very busy. We walked at Ocknell but tried to stay off the main tracks so as not to meet other dogs.We saw deer and ponies and on the way home we saw a microlight that had landed on the forest. This afternoon we met Gill and Dora at Slufters Pond and had another enjoyable walk although there was more cloud in the sky and it was much colder than this morning.

Ocknell

Ponies grazing at Ocknell

Trees in Slufters Enclosure

Shadows 

Micro light 

Dora 

Slufters Pond

Missy at Slufters pond

Sunset at Slufters