Sunday Gave Even More

Posted on January 22, 2014January 22, 2014 Posted in England, PhotographyTagged Devon, England, Mutters Moor, Nature, Peak Hill Sidmouth, Photography, travel11 Comments

After leaving Branscombe, its beach and the lovely St Winifreda’s church, we drove back through Sidmouth and continued west up to Peak Hill. On the right is a free car park, the edge of Mutters Moor, a lowland heath where the walks have stunning views. There was a lot of mud and puddles on Sunday.

Sunny gorse, pinecones and last years beech leaves next to this years new shoots.

Our Lady of the Woods had fallen, undermined by the flood.

There were magical reflections.

And after an hours walk we found ourselves nearly back at the start, when we had the first hint of something splendid.

This is always a beautiful view, but today the light was perfect, changing every minute and to make it even more special, a family of ponies, Dartmoors I think.

Sunday January 19th, the day that kept on giving.

Click on any photo for a bigger view.

Marianne has begun a new challenge where you take one trip every month, near or far, and take photos or write all about it. Join her here http://eastofmalaga.net/2014/01/20/new-challenge-one-trip-every-month/

The Exe Trail

Posted on January 19, 2014January 19, 2014 Posted in England, Photography, TravelTagged Bowling Green Marsh, Devon, England, National Cycle Route 2, Nature, Photography, River Clyst, River Exe, The Exe Trail, Topsham, travel9 Comments

I read about construction of a connecting section of the Exe trail some time ago and when I learnt that it had opened recently, I dragged the family out at Christmas to check it out. The trail covers about twenty six miles from Dawlish on the west of the Exe to Exmouth on the east and is part of National Cycle Route 2. Way back when I’ve cycled the west side, but now walking, camera in hand, on the east side is more my thing. I’ve shown you many photos of Topsham before and the new link begins at Bowling Green Marsh, from there it crosses the River Clyst via a new 120 metre bridge, which was floated down the Exe on barges. The bridge goes across the RSPB Goosemoor Nature Reserve, providing stunning views of the area that have never before been accessible.

Distant geese

Widgeon family

Widgeon flock

Towards Ebford/Exton

HIgh tide and floods

Hightide

The photos above are all on the original partof the walk.

Cycling over the bridge

Looking north from the new boardwalk

From the bridge to Odhams Wharf

A popular walk but I’m disappointed with the high sides

A whole new viewpoint

Peeping through the gaps

Over time the bridge and boardwalk will blend in. To be honest I’m disappointed that the sides are quite so high and there are just peepholes to look through, but of course the wildlife has to be protected.

It was a freezing cold day at the end of December but I’ll start at the bridge next time and head further east. It’s definitely a wonderful cycle route!

Lazy Poets Thursday Haiku

Posted on January 16, 2014January 17, 2014 Posted in haiku, Nature, PhotographyTagged Dartington, Devon, England, Haiku, Lazy Poets Thursday Haiku, Nature, Photography19 Comments

Summer Days

Dreaming of Maytime

blue sky days and gentle breeze

flushed through with sunlight

I’ve followed We Drink Because We’re Poets for a while now, but I’ve never been brave enough to link to them. This time a post seemed to fit what I do so I’m giving it a go! You might like to joinin if you enjoy both photography and poetry. Visit http://wedrinkbecausewerepoets.com/2014/01/13/we-drink-inspiration-poetry-prompt-009-a-photos-worth/

Lazy Poets Thursday Haiku

Posted on January 2, 2014January 1, 2014 Posted in England, Nature, PoetryTagged England, Haiku, Iris seeds, Lazy Poets Thursday Haiku, Nature, Photography5 Comments

Iris seeds

Bright pseudacorus

nourishing coastal birdlife

natures abundance

Travel Theme, birds

Posted on December 29, 2013January 1, 2014 Posted in England, Photography, Travel, UncategorizedTagged Devon, England, Myths, Nature, Photography, Robin, Robin redbreast, travel17 Comments

Yesterday as I walked beside the Axe estuary, I heard a little flutter in the cliff beside me. I turned just as robin landed.

My heart sang with joy as he sang to me.

I got a little closer.

And then we both travelled on our different journeys.

There are many myths and legends associated with robins. One says that if a robin pecks at a window a death will soon happen. But there are also pagan connections with rebirth, such as the myth of the killing of the Wren, the little King of the Waning Year, by the Robin Redbreast, the new King of the Waxing Year.
My favourite tells of the rebirth of the spirit , when after solstice, the darkness that has ruled since halloween, is overcome by the new light of spring.
And so, I wish you all a very Happy New Year filled with blessings and the song of birds wherever you travel.

For more bird themed travel posts,

http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/12/27/travel-theme-birds/

Winter Haiku

Posted on December 22, 2013January 1, 2014 Posted in England, Nature, PoetryTagged Devon, England, Haiku, Nature, Photography, RSPB, travel, Wading birds9 Comments

Wintering Waders, A Haiku Trio

Resting weary wings

On Exe and Clyst confluence

Fresh and salty meet

~~~

Beware the buzzard

In the reserve of marshland

Safety in numbers

~~~

Wintering waders

Gather strength for long haul flight

Global migration

This post was inspired by a visit to Green Mackenzie. Although Seonaid focussed on the cold night, she made me think about writing some wintery haiku. I’m a long way south of Seonaid and winter has only just begun, so this photo was taken last January at Bowling Green Marsh, a nature reserve and resting place for migratory birds. You can click for a bigger view, I was too far away to get a clear shot, but I believe these are mostly Dunlin, Godwit and Oystercatchers. The estuary is known for its Avocets, the symbol of the RSPB.

If you don’t know Seonaid, I know you’ll find peace and inspiration here.

http://breathofgreenair.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/one-light/

100 Steps for Chittle Chattle in December

Posted on December 9, 2013 Posted in England, Exeter, Nature, Photography, UncategorizedTagged 100 Steps for Chittle Chattle, England, Exeter, Nature, Photography16 Comments

Today began with horrid fog so I was happy that the sun came out in time for my lunchtime walk. I decided to go out of the back gate from work, and across the road to where a childrens play area leads to a very peaceful area of houses. I rarely see a soul there, but there are lovely avenues of trees and a couple of very big, old ones that have been kept thank goodness. This time I noticed a gap between two houses that I’d never seen before, so I crossed and went through. It led to a curved footpath with trees either side, so I walked the hundred metres or so until it opened up to a grassy area with more houses across the other side. Then I remembered Chittle Chattle’s hundred steps walks, I haven’t done one for a while, so I turned back the way I came and counted my hundred. This is what my phone and I saw.