Resevoir Dogs
14th September 2018
Great organisation by Helen M meant that there were two plans in progress at the same time. A very precise timetable for the Babes and a flexible one for the dogs. We know that the Babes can cope with anything, but how will Betty and Bob's blind date work out?
Ooops.. not a promising start!
At this point, we were still in 'own vehicle' territory, so a quick walk around the car park, a pop down to the water and back again, and look...
Perhaps some signs of acceptance.
And at precisely the right time on the programme for the Babes, Alison and Maggie turned up to greet Jo, the two Helens and now Betty and Bob. Unfortunately Lynn was too busy playing musical chairs, Pam busy being the Festival and Charlotte, probably in her hot tub! Next test. Would the Babes be able to have their first refreshment of the day in peace? And Julia, taking the scenic route via a different car park, arrived just in time for tea.
No-one in the 'dog-house' yet?
However, this may, in part be owing to a citronella dog tazer, especially designed to stop dog barking. Betty only needs to be shown hers and she is obedient! For the moment, Jo is waiting for Bob to show his true colours. And who knows, maybe he will only need his 'updata-d'chip. Meanwhile, it appears that Jo and Alison don't need tazers or chips, but they do have some rather pretty personalised tags.
We might all need one of these post-Brexit!
We had a bit of catch up on holidays. Jo's South Africa trip was very interesting, especially seen through the eyes of 'Bubbles' who at this point was safely tucked up in Helen M's van. But where will Bubbles go next? To South America with Alison? To New Zealand with Helen J? Maggie at this point was very, very silent....
Refreshed, we set off on our walk to Staunton Resevoir Yachting Club. Who needs a map anyway?
Lovely farm, but not on our bit of the map!
A very inviting stile.... not!
Bob: Not this way folks!
Betty: A beach too far!
However, we finally found the right route and ended up precisely on time at the new-ish National Trust café at Staunton Resevoir. Not to be put off by the thickening clouds, we settled into a few toasties for the Babes, some well deserved treats for the dogs and discussed the merits of home decorations, designs and do-it-yourself or get-someone-in-to-do-it-if-they-can-be-bothered. A bit of spotting: birds, then a bit of rain but....
A bit more rain is still needed.
A quick look at the windmill
Sails long since gone to the yachting club.
Originally built in 1798 by Lord Melbourne for £250 for milling grain, it became derelict in the late 19th century and despite ideas for making it into an observation tower, it now just sits at the top of a mound being observed. There were a few scratched pictures of birds on the board and some sad facts that tree sparrows had declined in the area by 90% over the last 25 years. There is a project to reverse this number, but we didn't see any, so it obviously isn't working.
We then chose to try out a more circular walk and set off with great confidence across fields, along an old tramway (we think!)... freshly trimmed hedgerows and ...
lovely smelly patches of squirrel!
Probably the most useless map ever!
Luckily, Helen M was very well prepared. The map on her phone was working and kept us, sort of, in the right direction.
Babes on the bridge
A-maizing!
At this point, we had to check Jo's pockets because the corn was ready for harvesting, and we all know what she's like, especially now she has her foraging book.
It's definitely this way!
Too big for Jo's pockets!
Well, well, well, we are in Ticknall!
A bit of deja-vu!
There are two types of limes in Calke Park. This wonderful lime avenue and a small leafed variety called 'Tilia cordata'. These limes are also known as 'walking limes' because the 'mother lime tree' sends out a sucker and once 'baby lime tree' has grown up it loses its 'umbilical cord' it lives independently until it too becomes a 'mother lime'..... Marvellous. Helen J has obviously unwrapped her National Trust tree book! All we need now is some gin to go with the limes.
Back in the proper park, we stop to admire a kestrel displaying in the field against the backdrop of a
a lowbrow (not a rainbow!)
and back on its perch.
Babes in the woods
Woodland fairy's weather prediction
And we finally end up back at Calke for a final cuppa and a final decision on where Bubbles goes next. Watch out for her next trip in ...... America!!!!
Bob and a boob!
37 birds for the day; most of them new to Julia. But firsts for this year include: little egret, buzzards, willow tit (yes it was!)and greenfinch. 97 for the year... we have to find 3 more before the end of the year! Plus a few squirrels, a couple of rats and plenty of deer. .
black headed gull
blackbird
blue tit
buzzzard
chaffinch
coal tit
collared dove
coot
cormorant
crow
domestic duck
goldfinch
great tit
greater spotted woodpecker
greenfinch
grey heron
greylag
house sparrow
jackdaw
kestrel (bird of the day)
little egret
long tailed tit
magpie
mallard
mute swan
nuthatch
pied wagtail
sparrowhawk
starling
swallow
willow tit
wood pigeon
Wonder if anyone will notice the amendments and additional photos after the first publication?
Not sure whether this is the famous Calke 'cobweb' beetle; wouldn't like to meet the spider!
It's head was this big... honest!!
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