Willow Deers

Part of the festive preparations my mad and eccentric boyfriend and I took part in, was a willow weaving workshop held at Potteric Carr.

Under the careful instruction of Leilah, who runs Dragon Willow, we were guided step by step through this woven pattern to create, what would hopefully resemble, a deer.

At this stage of the making, it is a great representation of what an actual deer may look like if the head exploded off. When there is an entire room filled with exploded-headed deer, it is quite the fantastic sight to see!

Surprisingly, willow weaving deer is not as hard as it appears. It is incredibly straight forward, even for a novice like me! A simple willow frame consisting of various sized hoops is all it takes.

The end result is incredibly satisfying. A days work and everyone in the room had created a fantastic deer, ready to dress up with lights and bells for the Christmas period.

Fantastic sunsets

Look at this sunset!

It was a cracker!

Potteric Carr has the best things.

Being One with The Golden Panto

It suddenly occurred to me the other day it has been a month and a half since I last posted something.
Not much to say really, besides my local drama group's panto rehearsals are going swimmingly!

I, once again, am Prop Master and as this is the drama group's 50th Anniversary, my manic prop making skills have gone all out. With a witch's staff more Voodoo/Indian than your typical magical staff and a horse which doubles up as a cat, this panto is one you will regret missing.

After any rehearsal, good or bad, we toddle on down to the pub. Yep, rehearsals are twice a week and each time, we visit the local pub simply because we can. In my case, a lemonade will never go a miss and you can't go wrong with the lemony lemon taste of lemonade.

During one of those pub visits (last week actually), 4 of us remained, slowly slurping down our drinks. We got talking about the history of the group and when we all joined. I only joined just over a year ago so I didn't have much to say. Another hasn't had much social time (being a mother can easily do that to you) but as a result, she said, being ask to be the panto's pianist brought her confidence back. Being let loose on a piano was like being reconnected to a long lost friend.

This accomplishment struck us all. Simply joining a small local group can impact your life dramatically. In my case, I joined because one of my volunteers dragged me there. She obviously thought knitting and Midsomer Murders was not an ideal life for, at the time, a 23 year old. I like knitting and I haven't stopped.

But thanks to that one volunteer, I have never looked back in anger or disgust. I only look back with the gradual sinking of regret. I regret not knowing about this group sooner. I regret not joining it sooner and I regret not meeting the large acting family that is Clifford Drama Group, sooner.

Throughout the whole of my primary and secondary school years, college, university and occasionally work, I have seen and been bullied. Not the most pleasant experience when you have no courage for a comeback and no strength to ask for help.
Admittedly, it eased off during college and university but at work, customers know what they are saying and they deliberately say things to hurt your feelings. In the land of retail the customer "is always right". That statement can sod right off!

Not once have I experienced any form of bullying from the group. I know it has only been just over a year but I truly believe that if someone intended to emotionally hurt me, they would've done it by now. My weird ginger craziness doesn't bother anyone in the slightest. If anything, they probably appreciate me for being me and for not hiding my oddly unique personality away.

A simple gesture can change someones perspective on life. Whether it is being asked to be the group's pianist or simply dragging someone away from the telly, they have your best interest at heart.
So like me, never turn down an invitation and go for it because with all the crazy jingly hand waves/high fives/hand hugs, you will never know who you will meet or where it will all end up.

Thank you for letting me be me.

The turning of the Seasons

Golly! I haven't been on here in awhile!
Besides a holiday to Scotland and my birthday, not much has really happened. I tell a lie, I've started my Christmas shopping (I know, I'm such a devil. Started it right at the beginning of August!) and I've been making a few bits and pieces. More on those to come later!

Besides the infestation... in-FESTIVE-tion... sorry, start again, besides the infestation of Christmas in early August, I have started to notice the subtle transition of summer to autumn. The days are progressively getting shorter and soon, it will be the case where you blink and you've missed all the light the day has to offer.

As I look across my neighbours' gardens, I hear the blackbird and robins' song has changed; it is louder, more striking and clearer. The apple tree over the wall is in full fruit and the flittering clusters of long tailed tits are foraging on the berries along the trellising.

The trees look tired and dry; their leaves turning a carci-green and more of their branches and trunk more visible through the thinning foliage. I can't help but think that autumn will come earlier this year than it has for a long time. Be ready for woodland walks like this...

As the mornings become more and more cool and crisp and the night air fresher, we have quite possibly seen the last of the long muggy days of the British summer. Mind you, I'm not complaining. Working in a shop which only has a ceiling fan and no air conditioning when it is muggy, is a challenge in it's own right!

I love the transition of the seasons, mainly because you don't have long to wait until the next season is in full swing. The dry freshly fallen crispy leaves underfoot are a joy to both children and adults and as autumn continues to roll in, the conker season will be in full whack once again.

Seeing the countries summer visitors return to their wintering home is always a sad sight to see but welcoming our winter visitors is just as much of a joy when  we see the first swallow of the summer. I think to myself every year; 'I will make my home look autumnal' by this, I mean have vases filled with wheat and barley ears, dried leaf wreaths hanging on the doors and garlands of clustered pine cones and acorns adorning the mantelpiece. Sounds very brown... but done right, can look golden!

So instead of complaining about the shortening days and the wind having a more noticeable bite, lets embrace our British seasons and get out there and love every second of it!

Lets face it, it isn't long till hallowe'en, small jump then it is bonfire night, a hop and a jump and it will be Christmas...!

My Wild Life - Days 28-30

Day 28

Rain! Seriously can not complain though. The garden has had a thorough watering which in turn means; it's free, it's natural, it's fresh and it doesn't contain chlorine.

Love the stuff!

Day 29

RAIN! RAIN! RAIN!

Love it BUT, do you remember this picture from day 22?

Well! Turns out we don't have ravenous birds, but a grey squirrel.
We can't say for sure but my dearest mother saw a possible culprit on our neighbours roof.
Could explain all the bird seed on the ground... And I've been blaming the Wood pigeons!

Day 30

Day 30 of my 30 Days Wild Challenge! I did it! A random act of wilderness everyday for a month!
Phew!

After deciding what to do with the bird feeders and how to prevent the supposed squirrel from using them, I did originally plan to make more fat balls.
I probably still will but here is how I made them on day 8.

Vegetable suet is an ideal choice and here is why; if you take a look at the nutritional value, it has next to no salt and sugar, sky high with fat and saturates and a good wedge of calories too.
Perfect for those fledglings!

In a mixing bowl, add 1 part suet to 2 parts seed.

So for every 100g of suet, you need 200g of seed.

You don't have to use just seed; low salt cheese, dried mealworms and fruit are all great to use.
As you can see in my mixing bowl, there are dried mealworms and seed.

Combine the suet and the food...

...until you are able to form balls.

Ta dah! Now to wait for those feasting birds!

My Wild Life - Days 25-27

Day 25

Golly, 6 months till Christmas. Better get planning!
Before I do anything of the sort, I will tell you about my snazzy day down by the river!

After a farewell service for a dear family friend (don't worry, not a funeral!), I went on a walk with my mad eccentric boyfriend down by my local river.

Besides seeing a hybrid white duck, likely to be a Malard, we saw a very bendy tree...

Tiny fish by the Salmon leap and this funky bracket fungus...

The views were calm and relaxing.

And best of all, there was no one around except for us 2.

It was wonderful.

Day 26

2 years since our dearest Milly passed away.

Relighting candle after candle in her memory, I got on with my 30 day challenge.
Firstly, I replanted some carrots my mum had thinned from a couple of larger pots.

I then helped her dig up a raised bed of potatoes...

...and replanted it with broccoli plants and parsley.

How pretty!

Looking at the climbing beans near to that raised bed, my mum and I found a very tiny bean.

Awww!

To top the day off, I admired the flowing waterlily.

It maybe a simple gesture, but studying a flower can really make you wonder about its creation and life cycle.

Day 27

It rained all day today. Incredibly good for the garden and it also means the 2 water butts we currently have, are now brimming!

Most people dislike the rain.
Me on the other hand, love it!

My Wild Life - Days 22-24

Day 22

Day 22 was certainly more a leisurely day.
To start with, I checked my wildflower seeds...

It was suggested to me to use a netting tunnel. That way, any moisture on the surface of the tiny leaves will not scorch the seedlings as the heat of the sun increases during the day.

Turning round to check the feeders, I noticed the fat balls were well loved.

As was the Vine House Farm mixed seed...

Either those birds are incredibly hungry or there is something else going on...

As you may well have seen on day 17, I planted a Pansy ring round the base of our washing line.
Before planting them all, I replaced the flowers in my buggy house.

How Lovely!

Day 23

Unfortunately for me, I was at work all day but I was still able to walk out to meet my lift home.
It was raining. The sort of misty rain which gets you very wet.
It was misty rain like this...

(picture of Leighton Moss, end of October)

Day 24

I was at work again today but I still enjoyed the warmth of the evening sun on my face and body as I sat outside and meditated to myself.

And of course there is no better way to end the week than a visit from your Preston sister and a viewing of the classic film, Dirty Dancing!

My Wild Life - Days 20-21

Day 20

I was at work that day but nothing could stop me! For half an hour, I sat outside and had my lunch.
Though it was cloudy, it was still incredibly pleasant and with yesterdays temperature reaching a whopping 29'C, the cloud cover was more than welcome!

Day 21

Yesterday was a scorcher. Today on the other hand was much more manageable. In comparison, this morning was surprisingly chilly so I caught up with a few things inside.

After lunch, the temperature outside had risen significantly. So much for it being more manageable!
That aside, I cracked on with day 21 of My Wild Life.

I planted up (what will be) some snazzy plants...

Gathered up what I needed to sew my 30 Days Wild seeds (I know, about time!)...

Prepared the ground for said seeds...

Sewed, watered and covered them with a miniature greenhouse to protect them from birds and cats, pooing everywhere...

After, I found a tiny packet of herb seeds; sweet basil and chives.
So I repeated the same process but on a much tinier scale!

Sweet!

My Wild Life - Hedgehog Rescue

Late yesterday evening, just as we were leaving Filey, we came across a Hedgehog.

A small lump in the road, seen from a distance can usual mean roadkill or, in this case, a Hedgehog.

Though as we approached, the hedgehog appeared to be an odd shape; not a plump hog on 4 legs but sloped back end with a Hedgehog head at the front.

As we ran out to it, mainly to move it from the middle of the car park entrance, we discovered it was dragging both it's hind legs which could only mean one thing; broken.

Picking this spritely creature up, I soon realised the severity of the situation. One leg was clearly swollen and the other, well, lets say it's a good thing I didn't take pictures, the other leg had a bone sticking out from it.

Placing the courageous hog into a box, we drove home, wondering had we left a couple of minutes earlier, we would never have seen it and its chances of survival were slim. Worried our small friend wouldn't make the night, I placed apple in the box. No need to be worried, it demolished the lot!

Finally back at home, a good hours drive from Filey, we re-homed our prickly friend into a bigger box, just for the night mind you!

Fresh newspaper lined the bottom of the box to prevent it's fragile legs from catching on anything.

Clean fresh rain water and smelly turkey cat food were placed in separate bowls and the box we housed it in for the car journey, stuffed with fresh straw, became its bed chamber.

This photo was taken this morning and as you can see, there is hardly any cat food left! This greedy piggy has clearly lived up to its name!

After a major googling session, my dad contacted a rescue centre near Dewsbury, called Oggles Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. We spoke to a passionate lady called Vicky who agreed to meet us at Ikea (an easy landmark!).

Off to Ikea we went with small yet smelly Hodgepig in the back of the car.

In the romantic setting of the Ikea car park, we handed (what turned out to be) little miss Hedgehog over to Vicky, a caring loving woman who wants nothing but the best for all Hedgehogs.

As my dad and I stood, nervously waiting, like a patient awaiting test results, Vicky briefly examined her and confirmed one of my minor fears; she would live but our small lady would lose a leg. Not only that but on closer inspection, she had maggots and unhatched eggs. Fortunately, they could be washed away and removed.

Our lady hog is now in the best possible hands and I couldn't be more relieved. Is it fate we found her when we did or by sheer coincidence?

I chose not to take pictures of our short journey together because I did not wish to distress her and I could not bring myself to face the reality of what had happened.

Was she hit by a car? Attacked by another animal maybe? Or did someone take it upon themselves to deliberately hurt her?

She will never be able to go back to the wild but she will live a pleasant thriving life in a secure garden under the watchful eye of someone who truly cares.

My Wild Life - Days 17-18

Day 17

Day 17 was a scorcher!
So why I was outside, in the midday sun, planting, I have no idea!
But here is what I got done:

I noticed the edible clover had flowered...

Here is the nettle mound before:

And after:

What a difference!

After cutting the hedge right back on Day 14, I was able to retrieve last years Blackbird nest.
It was quite a neat little nest and amazing to think they made it with the use of their beak.

It's sad to say I found scraps of plastic bag woven into this sturdy nest. Whether from our garden or a neighbours, it's a shame to think these birds are now relying on man made material to create the perfect home for their chicks.

As I remember, all the chicks fledged with no problems.

Back on the lawn, I planted up 3 tomato plants. I plan to prune these into a tomato bush!

I also planted up a pansy ring at the base of the washing line.

Might as well, brightens it up!

Lastly, after the heat of the day, my mad eccentric boyfriend and I, carried out a mini moth night.

We attracted alot of midges and mosquitoes, all male, and 5 moths.
Doesn't sound like much but one of them was the Swallowtail moth.

Day 18

Day 18, what a day to go to the coast! The traffic was light and the sea incredibly blue!
But it wasn't the beach we were after; Bempton Cliffs lay in waiting with its majestic Gannets and chatty Kittiwake's for an afternoon of blistering sun and rediscovery!

It is definatly one of those reserves best visited than read about but here it goes!

Each view point reveals the secret life of each seabird.

The Gannet Peninsular, as I like to call it, had every nook and cranny filled. There was honestly no room for any other bird!

Besides the amazing views and wall to wall blue skies, onlookers peered over the edge to catch a glimpse of the elusive puffin. This iconic bird adds a splash of colour to the cliff face and is a dumpling in flight.

Up and down this stretch of coast, like minded naturalists brace their binoculars as each parent bird carries on with their life on edge, literally! How these birds nest, sleep and raise a chick on these perches is beyond me! How do the chicks stay on, is a question I need to know!

Oblivious to the human's obsession, these birds power on through life as nature intended.

Leaving the reserve at 5, we headed north towards Filey. Filey is my childhood beach. Whenever the sun shines and the shorts are dusted down from the winter, I beg to myself I will make it to Filey beach.

Eating a battered sausage with chips and a lemon top ice cream, a leisurely stroll along the shore line made a blissful end to a perfect day.

Rock pooling unearthed childhood memories and I was transported back to family holidays spent scrambling across boulders and tiptoeing between colonies of limpets.

The sunset formed a picturesque snap to the back of the Brigg and the view from the cliff top proved to be better!