Spent all day yesterday creating this years Christmas Pudding so didn't make it out, although the weather was pants anyway! So we decided a walk up Wolstonbury Hill would do us good, 3 footy games a day is hitting my steps numbers big time!!!😂 Obviously after our exploits on the mighty Cairn Gorm the hill holds no fears for us!!! To avoid the showers we left home around eleven, we were pretty lucky with the weather we could see heavy rain in the distance but stayed dry the whole walk!! It was very windy, which made spotting the birds difficult, no Snow Buntings here (unlike Cairn Gorm) though plenty of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits and a couple of Yellowhammers are always good to see. Thought I heard the distance song of a Corn Bunting drifting on the breeze as well, but couldn't find it so may have been wishful thinking!! The slopes are covered in flowers, including several Orchids and even in the strong wind it was very nice to see, didn't see many Butterflies but again probably down to the wind! A few pics below of the highlights! Margie Landscapes and most of the flowers, me birds!
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| The Hill, it is quite steep |
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| Jack and Jill Windmills |
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| Spot the Stock Dove |
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| Spotted em early today, taking the high ground!! |
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| Compulsory Hurstpierpoint Church pic |
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| Great Views all round from the top |
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| Distant Shower |
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| Thankfully this was as close as it got |
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| Proof Margie made to the top! As if there was any doubt! Looking very fetching in her new RSPB Cap💖 |
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| I had to put the sides up on my hat to combat the wind was nearly garrotted twice! |
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| Another "mountain" climbed! |
The wind made getting pics of birds was quite difficult, the moment they appeared they were whisked off. However it played into my hands when a Skylark landed on a small bush and had loads of trouble balancing!! Managed a few shots, sequence below!
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| Landed |
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| Nearly! |
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| Just getting my balance |
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| Bloody wind!! |
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| Nearly again! |
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| Finally |
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| Total control |
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| Almost |
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| That's cracked it! |
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Full control, unlike the Skylark! |
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| Record shot of the Yellowhammer, sadly him and his mate flew off as I was moving to get a clear shot! |
Most of our pics of the various Flowers and Orchids were rubbish due to the wind (my excuse and I'm sticking to it!) a few below, I like an Orchid but have no real clue about them!
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| As we were thinking about heading down a Skylark took pity on me and landed on the path right in front of us! |
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| Dandelions |
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| Goldfinch, saw a few around the peak, few Linnets as well |
A nice walk, surprised not to see any Raptors weather seemed perfect!
What's that you say how did the Christmas Pudding turn out!! Awesome !!
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| 8 Hours steaming, looks good and smells lovely! Now in the dark recesses of a cupboard to be steamed for another 2hrs on Christmas Day |
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| I also made a Bakewell Tart, which tastes a lot better than it looks, I've not really got the hang of drizzling yet!! |
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