Inquisitive Birds

Years ago my mum, dad, brother Mick, aunt, uncle, and two cousins would go through Marles Wood to the river Ribble for a day's fishing, the weather always seemed much better and prolonged in those days. Must remember to have a look at those old seventies pictures, so funny with my dad sporting a big tash and flares. Anyway last week Phil and I went to Ribchester to check it out, it's still unspoilt and a great place to take Harry for a swim. Yesterday Harry came with us and had a ball in the water with his much loved sticks.
On the way back spotted what I think is a Sparrow, (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), we were both checking each other out. It's not fantastic but its the best I've done so far and I was really pleased with it. Later in the day the cheeky robin came for a look at what I was doing in the garden, he was not amused that there was a piece of wood on his feeding station.

Wallaby

Although Phil and I had visited Rivington Pike several times we didn't know that there were lovely scenic walks around the reservoirs. On our first trip along the waters we spotted two Wallaby's with some chickens, not what you would expect to see in a back garden in Lancashire. Now I can think of many reasons to keep chickens but a Wallaby.... hmmm. When I googled wallaby and Rivington there was a story about a startled lorry driver who had reported a kangeroo bounding down the road at Horwich near Rivington , guess this little guy must be an escape artist too.

Muscovy Duck

Don't know a lot about these little critters as I've never come acoss them before. Apparently Muscovy ducks are quite intelligent, have a fairy good nature, and don't quack, (a blessing some may say), males hiss and the females sort of coo. Just look at those taloned webs, wonder what they use those for?

Bay Tree Dilemma

Looks like my Lovely container grown Bay tree has got the dreaded lurgy but I don't have a clue what it is. As you can see the leaves are very spotted and have started to turn yellow. Bay tree leaves are usually very dark green when they are in a healthy state. My Bay tree suffered from scale last year but I seemed to have eradicated the little horrors by wiping them off with a soapy solution. One of my concerns is that my Bay tree is not getting enough nutrients by being planted in a pot and is becoming susceptible to viruses. However I'm unsure whether it would be a good idea to plant the Bay straight into the garden, especially in its current condition. If anyone has any idea please could you let me know.

Mr Toad

Red Sky At Night

Enjoyed taking Harry through the woods near Bunkers Hill tonight as the weather seemed really mild. The Gorse bushes were abundant with coconut scented yellow flowers, if I can collect enough without stabbing myself to death I'll have a go at making Gorse wine. Just before Christmas I made Elderberry wine which was foraged from the same field. Sadly only three quarters of a bottle remain out of the six pints originally made;-(. The tannins in Elderberry wine are supposed to mellow out over time producing a far superior taste. Ah well.

Glamour Pussycat

Thankyou Glamour Pussycat, (aka Anne from accounts) for the lovely Hellebore you gave me last week. Can't believe she's sixty next year, must be the good genes. I've planted the Hellebore beside my homemade birdbath, which as you can see is still a work in progress;-). Anne informed me that this young plant is likely to flower next year, so the first picture shows you what a beauty this plant is likely to become if I take good care of it.