Blossom is Out!

 It doesn't look good, because the weather has been so flat and battleship grey, but blossom is out everywhere in town.

Perhaps not 100% yet, some trees still have the flowers in tight white buds while others have opened out, stamen reaching out towards a sun that just hasn't been there yet this spring.

Their blooms wait for the pollinators, but they aren't yet there, hiding away after a nice end to winter, as a freezing front sweeps down upon us. 

Plum, blackthorn, and cherry all - braced for the frost and snow.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.03.23

The Chop was Stopped

 So, after the protests I wrote about last week carried on throughout the night and into the next morning, supported by people passing in food, warm clothing and blankets to the final four who spent the night on deckchairs, a dramatic conclusion was reached the following afternoon.

The council and the landowner came to some sort of agreement, the precise detail of which has yet to be revealed, that will save the trees and the land as a public space as long as it is voted through council on November 24th. The council leader made some rather churlish comments about some of the protesters being rather abusive, which no-one else has reported. 

So I really hope that a deal has actually been reached to save the space, and the deal is voted through. Then I hope they do more with the space, perhaps put some wildflower meadows in.

Then it will have been worth it.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 21.11.21

"Stop the Chop"

 Our local library lies adjacent to the old registery office, which was been bought, leased, resold, leased again and god only knows what else; it's a complex process.

The issue is not with the building itself, it lies with the little green space between the two buildings. Part of the leasehold agreement, indeed a contract, is that this area should be turned into a car park, a car park that the current owners of the building do not want, but if it isn't built the council face a 600K bill for breach of contract with a previous owner. 

I think that's the story; I'm probably miles wrong. It's very confusing. The upshot is that three old trees, a lime and two sycamores, are going to have to be cut down, and local people have gotten very upset. Indeed, they have already organised two daytime protests during the last couple of weekends, and tonight, they organised a third, a candlelit vigil by night. 

They say that the car park isn't needed, there is already plenty of parking space in the town, and it sends out a bad message in an age where we shouldn't be encouraging more cars onto the roads, into a town that is already gridlocked at weekends. 

I went down not long before sunset to take photographs, and told the organisers that I would return later with my bat detector; they have put a couple of bat boxes in the trees, and St George's Bat trust say the recorded 108 calls in 40 minutes a few days ago.

If there are bats roosting in the trees, then that automatically ends the threat for at least until spring. I have to say I'd been twice before and picked up nothing, but absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. 

I did return after sunset to see that a crowd of around 200 had gathered, holding lanterns and the like. I walked around with my detector, picking up no bats again while the song "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol was played while the crowd waved their lights in the air. 

I hope the bats like bands that make Coldplay sound like Motorhead. 

There was also some chanting of slogans, which was passionate although slightly...something. 

I do wish them well, and I really hope there are bats in there. I've not picked up a sausage. 

Yet.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 30.10.21

Big Time Blossom

 On a day where the weather never quite worked out what it was going to be, apart from bloody windy all day, I went off to the park to see if the blossom in the orchard was out. 

The answer was yes - big time!

The orchard in spring is a favourite place of mine; warm days bring bees and butterflies to the sweet smelling blooms in large numbers. Too cool today though, and the only buzzer I saw was a queen buff tailed bumble high in the canopy of a blackthorn tree. 

I also love the blossom to study the very subtle differences in colour and smell between the flowers, often in the same tree. For example some flowers have pink stamen, others green. I don't know whether this sexes the flowers or not, but it can be very marked. 

Also some blooms are a very creamy white, others pure, while others have hints of pink or green about them. Knowledgeable folk will immediately know what tree has which, but I am not a folk who has the knowledge.

It is spring, but not very springlike yet with the weather. Hopefully that will change soon.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 13.03.21

Late Blooms Before an Early Storm

 The first day of November, after a Halloween weekend I mainly spent dressed as various clans of vampire, was a bright and sunny one when I headed out to Sconce Park in quest of the Ivy Bees and Califonia Quail - yes really - that have been reported there.

As it happens, I saw neither, but there were a few bees about mainly attracted to the bramble which has decided to come back into flower. There was some herb robert in flower too, and I was able to take my coat and hat off at Rumbles to enjoy a cup of tea.

Then the wind began to blow harder, and the clouds rolled in and covered the sun like a dirty duvet. The first big autumn storm, which as I write is howling outside my flat, was arriving and by the time I got home it was raining, making me glad I hadn't gone through with my original plan to see if I could buy a bike bt the shop in Farndon. 

So now, we face another big lockdown amid rocketing cases, which this time I will work through I believe. Not heard of furlough yet and it's a busy time of the year for me. 

I'm ok, but a lot of people are going to get shredded mentally again.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 01.11.20

Another Year Older

 It was my birthday last Friday, a very odd one where I stayed in and did any socialising I did in the virtual world, this new place where many of us have found ourselves visiting alongside all the folk who have been there for years. 

We may be Tier 2 here and so the pubs will still be open, but I have no intention of going. Working would be a worry, but I'm lucky enough to be in a large office that only has me in it for now - the return of my potential co-workers from home-working has been delayed for now.

I had my flu jab today, so no doubt I will feel a bit foggy for a couple of days, I did last year. 

I have a few random pictures from the last few days, of the grey world in which we have been literally and metaphorically living in. Today has just been mizzling most of the day. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 13.10.20

Now the Colours are Autumnal

After another fruitless day off work wondering if my boiler was going to be fixed. to go with Tuesday, Wednesday and probably tomorrow as well.

At least it meant I could get out for a walk on what has been a very pleasant day - I took myself off to the park for a stroll before heading off for a spot of cricket practice.

Yes, I lied, I have another game on Saturday as we qualified for the end of season play offs.

Summer is over, and nature knows it. The berries, seeds and conkers are out on the trees, and the leaves are just starting to turn. Only the odd butterfly about today, and no dragonflies. The drake mallards are all ashamed of their lack of colour and sit in huddles, waiting to get their green heads back.

The swans see you, and follow you for bread. Well I didn't have any, no matter how much the swan did his angry arched wings display.

House martins over my flat. Soon they will be gone too.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 03.09.20