Sunday 21 March 2010

The Contours of Spring

Combining navigation and nature watching was a bit of a struggle today - but let's hope I get better. Today I started at White Coppice where a spotted a pair of goosander on the lodge by the cricket pitch. Using Dean Black Brook as a handrail towards Great Hill, I spotted a dipper near last year's nest site, a pair of grey wagtails, a stonechat, and a newt making its swim across the brook look exhausting. It made it, you'll be pleased to know. These goosander were photographed by Dave http://www.holidays-revealed.com/

I overshot the spring (water) on the way down Great Hill but the rising skylarks and pipits were far more obvious as were a couple of early bumble bees. Across the A675 there were plenty of woodland birds, especially chaffinch and nuthatch, singing around Hollinshead Hall ruin.
Image of Hollinshead Hall copied from http://www.unitedutilities.com/FilmHollinsheadHall.htm

Another early bumble bee was seen on Darwen Moor along with a female sparrowhawk. By the time I'd got to Ryal Fold I had blisters on my heels - again. How long does it take to break in a pair of Brasher Superlites? They've blistered me every weekend since October....

5 comments:

Caroline Gill said...

Wondering if you had as much rain as we had over the w/e. I had been hoping to look for more frog spawn, but the visibility was too poor...

Duxbury Ramblers said...

I have worn most makes of boots over the years some good some rubbish but I bought a pair a couple of years ago and I don't own any shares in Meindl but I have worn this last pair from brand new with my 1000 mile socks, no blisters, I dread getting another pair but I will be buying the same and hoping for the same results. (haven't a clue how the socks know when they have done a 1000 miles) :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol, it has to be something to do with the socks if they are thins ones you wear try a thicker pair like Bridgedale, if you wear thin ones then try using thicker ones. ??

Crafty Green Poet said...

I recommend Meindl too, mine are wonderful, comfortable (though less so if i sit down in them for too long!) and wearing very well. i wear them with one pair of medium thickness socks. Brilliant.

Mistlethrush said...

Thanks for the interest and suggestions. I usually wear a pair of socks plus my thick woollen walking socks but although I've always worn this combination with my old boots it's just not working this time.
I've also bought a pair of 1000 mile socks and wear them without any other socks but I'm still blistering.
Maybe I should rub surgical spirits on my wounds? Or ???

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