Overall, our Christmas has not been terribly different from other years. While we didn’t get to visit Granny and Granddad, we still went for a post lunch walk. The biggest difference, all told, was the temperature. It was bitterly cold but at least the sun was shining.
Our aim had been to find Hetchell Woods and Pompocalii, situated near the village of Thorner, outside Leeds. However, they seem to be elusive, like many Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserves appear to be. So, we simply enjoyed a pleasant walk along a bridleway and were enchanted by a friendly robin.
Back home, I was greeted by a message from a second person offering kitchen scraps through ShareWaste.com. I’d only recently realised that on the site there is a rough impact calculator, which basically works out how much carbon dioxide composting food waste donations saves from entering the atmosphere. So, let’s see how much this lady and I can save between us.
What a shame about the nature reserve, but you seem to have had a good walk anyway. I went with my son along a canal and we spotted two herons.
Lovely! Looks like it is going to be another beautiful day, going on the sunshine here. Hope you have a good day, Cathy!
Christmas day was lovely here but yesterday was wet. The dogs and I walk whatever the weather but sunshine makes it much nicer! I wonder why the nature reserves are so hidden? Glad you enjoyed your outing anyway and good luck with the compost.
Glad you had a good walk yesterday in spite of the rain.
I think the nature reserves are hidden by virtue of being off the beaten track. The one just by our house does have a sign on the main road but not on any of the paths leading up to it from other directions. I had no idea it was managed by the Wildlife Trust till I looked it up on the internet. My guess therefore is that Hetchell Woods is the same: there will be a sign if we come at it from a different direction.
Maybe it is lack of finance that prevents more signs being put up. Or the Trust wants to keep it for wildlife and keep humans away. This appeared to be the case at another reserve in Ripon that we found earlier in the year: most of the reserve was ‘hidden’ behind hedges. There was a viewing point, which was like a one-sided bird watching hide, and signs specifically saying to keep out, so as not to disturb the birds.
Helen, I am glad you were able to get out for a good walk, even though it was cold. Wishing you a bright and happy 2021, and I hope you will be able to visit your grandparents again soon.
Oh, it’s my parents but thank you 😊
I’m always hopeful for the new year… there has been some good this year, when all’s said and done.