Allestree Park

 Not-yet- rewilded Allestree Park 

14th April 22

Maggie, Alison, Jo, Bob and Helen J, met in the round car park without the need for mobile phones or binoculars to find each other, as instructions had been followed to the tee!  As many Babes, busy with family, were unable to meet up we ditched some of our plans and headed off for a walk in, beyond  and around the park in search of sun for our picnic. 

Bob behaving perfectly, as were Jo and Alison!

  We might have seen moss, fungi brackets, fallen trees, spring flowers up the muddy path and through the woods, but who knows? Because, as some of us hadn't met each other for months, we spent much of the time catching up and ignoring all the wildlife going on around us.

We bumped into Helen's other Thursday friends where we met up with Sarah C-Smith's mother-in-law and wondered why woodpeckers drummed.

Bob on top form makes a new friend.

Feeling adventurous, we left the park, crossed the road and out into open fields into a gentle, warm breeze and lighter clouds.  But when will  the sun actually come out? We admired some of nearby mansions and Alison kindly filled us in on the gossip about which footballers lived there. 

Views across Allestree and Kedleston, sort of. 

Back across the road, we set off down a slightly slippery slope in search of some wildlife.

Found them! 

And, then our first evidence that Allestree Park has been around for a very long time.  

Dinosaurs once roamed here.  Proof in the footprint.

Feeling mellow yellow. 

By now it was nearly midday, so, obviously time for lunch. The ground was a little damp for sitting on the grass, so we went in search of a quiet bench.

Making a grand entrance.

A perfectly quiet spot.

 The most exciting part of the day was clearly the comparison of our picnics.  Three of us with cheese were quite envious of Alison's onion bhaji and mango chutney sandwich; all home-made, of course!  And the sun came out... perfect!

Perhaps Alison is having second thoughts though!

After our post-lunch chat about holidays, snow, Scottish wildlife,  how many Peak District questions we got right on Mastermind and most significantly vet fees, we set off in search of some flower power.

First bloomin' bluebells

Encore: Feeling mellow yellow...

Candles in the shade.

Carpets of wood anenome

And then... the injuries.  First Jo and Bob manage to part company.  Bob ends up in a whirlwind with another tiny dog and Bob comes off worse.

Bob lifting up his poorly paw., but it was his fault!

Fortunately a lovely lady with loads of information, gave Bob the once over and much to Jo's relief didn't charge her anything. However, Bob is made of strong stuff and with the occasional limp, holding his  paw up for inspection and hoping for even more sympathy continued on his now much-embarrassed walk. 

This is what a well behaved owner and her dog look like!

Not quite done with injuries, Maggie was then attacked by a pussy willow! 

Licking their wounds, we sauntered beside the lake and admired the lovely view of Marsh Marigolds

but didn't stay long because of the smelly lake!

It's even too much for the swan! 

We then said 'adieu' to Bob and wished him a speedy recovery and hope that Jo doesn't need to visit the vets over a the Easter weekend! Alison, Maggie and Helen continued up more slopes, through more woods and found the tree where distinctive drumming was happening.  Alison spotted the great spotted before it flew away, unspotted by Maggie and Helen J. 

Our bird list was a bit dodgy considering where we were, so we hope that when it is properly re-wilded we will be able to spot a few more.  19 for the day. 

Plus:  a few grey squirrels, a pond skater and brimstone butterfly.

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