Gelly Babes

Thursday, 14 October 2021

Bunting Hunting

Bunting Hunting at Carsington

13th October 2021

Today’s gathering of Babes might be the smallest on record as several of our number are off on their travels and others are poorly - hopefully all will be fit and well next month.

Maggie, Pam and Alison managed to get out of bed on time to meet at Millfields car park, unlike yours truly who for the first time in many years managed to over sleep didn’t make it on time!

Given the option of the long walk or a very short stroll and a long lunch the energetic three chose the easy option which gave them plenty of time for bunting hunting en route to the visitors centre.

The three weary walkers soon revived themselves with a well earned coffee and although the skies were grey enjoyed the view from the balcony. Before long three became four just in time for lunch.

Maggie entertained us with tales from her twitcher’s trip to Northumberland and Pam astonished us with the news that there are no birds or trees in Scotland but there are some very nice views -from the car!

The perfect spot to enjoy the view- if you are facing the right way!

Spot the snow bunting, he’s definitely in there somewhere

There he is!

We would have spotted him if we had the right equipment, the patience, the knowledge and if he didn’t look quite so much like a sparrow!

I think we can say that we saw at least some of these even if we weren’t aware of it and Maggie would add a vicarious lapwing and there were definitely lots of pied wagtails and sparrows but they don’t warrant a mention.

I’m sure we will do better next month both in distance walked and wildlife spotted!

Friday, 10 September 2021

Catching up at Kedleston

More Kedleston Capers

9th September 2021

Very nearly a full quota of babes gathered for coffee at Kedleston, pretty much on time and all very pleased to see one another. Considerable time was spent catching up with everyone’s experiences over the summer. Wedding photos were admired: wonderful dresses of both brides, handsome grooms, one rather fetching hat and two memorable days. Even the story of one wedding and a funeral didn’t spoil the mood!

The weather forecast had not been very favourable so it was a pleasant surprise to be sitting in the sunshine but then the sun always shines on the righteous.

Jo challenged us to remember the name of someone by giving us a very vague description and was surprised when none of us could come up with a name… perhaps it will come to us later, in fact one day later Alison has come up with an answer!

After lamenting the demise of the traditional cobbler and consuming all the coffee full advantage of the facilities was taken and we set off for a walk, much to the relief of Bob and Tali who had been waiting very patiently.

Tali obviously hasn’t read the sign and is happily hugging the ground rather than a tree and Bob seems content with head butting the tree,at least Lynn and Jo are following the instructions.

Pam seems to be treating us to a ‘teacher’s look’! Perhaps because some of us are spending too much time admiring the views, the wild chicory, the berries on the beautiful guelder rose bushes and the demolition work of the insects on some of the trees.

There is definitely a hint of autumn in the air.

We headed back down the hill to the cafe to meet up with Helen J after her jaunt into Derby mingling with the unmasked masses.

The wild flower garden was a little bit past it’s best but there was still lots of insect activity and it raised the question of how wild is too wild and are our pollinating insects really that fussy and anyway what do the self appointed ‘experts’ know. Let’s just plant more lavender!

We said goodbye to Jo and hello to Helen J and after lunch in the sunshine Lynn left us and we set off to count the geese. The total number was many and much goose poo.

The clouds were gathering but we weren’t deterred and we set off on the ‘wilderness’ walk by the river.

Thankfully no one got swept away by the raging torrent.

Not really living up to the idea of a wilderness walk but very pleasant nevertheless.

Spot the bat.

Natural sculpture or tree yoga?

Fungi spotting and trying to decide what they are and if they are edible (good job that Jo had to go or she would have filled her pockets)

This one would feed a family!

With a bit of help from Mr Google we think these ones are Earthballs and before they explode they make a good substitute for tofu!

The highlight of the day had to be spotting three young kingfishers amongst the willows by the edge of the river.

And finally we just got back to the car park as the first drops of rain began to fall.

Bird List

Please bear in mind that we only had our resident expert for half the day

Cormorant

Greylag Goose

Canada Goose

Heron

Swan

Tit (type unknown)

Crow

Jackdaw

Mallard

Magpie

House Martin

Ruddy Shelduck

Great crested grebe

Kingfisher (x3)

Swallow

Saturday, 10 July 2021

Swarkestone Success

Swarkestone (2); Swerkir (1)

(Spelling and football matters!)

Thursday 8th July 2021

A year after its initial plan, we finally manage the thrice-cancelled Swarkestone trip. Post a dramatic football night, all those who were able to attend, met at Swarkestone Nursery Garden Restaurant. A posh name for a cafe, but we are in Southern Derbyshire. Three were definitely on time but I mis-calculated, so Alison and I had a belter of a walk but made it in time for refreshments and a bit of a catch up. Well, when we could hear above Mr Lawnmower!

Helen on her third birthday party, with the wind in her hair.

We then got down to the more serious part of the day; learning about Swarkestone. It's not a well-known fact but Helen Jackson was the founder of the nursery back in the 1980s when it was famous for its vegetables and cheap fushcia plants.

A begonia tree.

After a short walk down Woodshop Lane, the name of which hints at cottage industries from the past, we came out at the Crewe and Harpur pub, a restyled 17th century coaching inn, where lots of famous historical figures had sat, had a pint or few and then a bit of a skirmish. The tradition continues to this very day.

Tales by the river bank are now underway,

But...

Tali is already bored...

with listening to the various legends of the past: the Beaker People, the Bellamont sisters, Sir John Gell-the taxman/the plunderer/the plotter, Bonnie Prince Charles and all the ghostly stories about the bridge. Or, is that all under-the-water now?

Posing infront of England's longest stone bridge.

On the 'Brink'

It's just as well the river is not too high, as this bit can be impassable in winter, but we saw some lovely houses and sand-martins skimming across the fast flowing Trent.

Turning up Church Lane, aptly named, we then popped to St James' 12th century churchyard, where I was slightly stumped by a pile of old stones because they weren't in my notes.

By this time, everyone was busy trying to identify the plants prettying up the very ancient gravestones

Tali: I 'nose' this as 'fox and cubs'!

After a quick peek across a stile, Helen, Lynn and Tali re-enacted a famous 1745 retreat whilst Alison, Jo and I continued with our trip across the fields.

Now, I've not mentioned the Harpurs... yet... even though they owned a lot of the area which they left in favour of living at Calke Abbey. Nevertheless, they have left their mark. Perhaps it was folly to build this but it provided a lot of entertainment in its time.

The pepper-pots!

Barley and oats!

We reach Swarkestone canal which was beautifully calm. Full of butterflies, various insects and some 'baby cygnets' .... oh really Jo! And, our first Sedge Warbler with its distinctive scratchy tune.

Banded demoiselle

Up to Swarkestone lock, another historic bit. The canal from here used to lead to the ice-factory on the Cockpit Island, but now it's paved over for cyclists so they can ride on Route 66!

Bet they think they look good in lycra

We looked up Lowes Lanes to a lovely farmhouse and flattened bronze age tumuli before heading back to Jo's car, which was searingly hot, but did the job of getting us all on our way home!