We didn’t venture to the allotment at all last week. To start with the weather has been miseralble, gloomy, wet and misty. When the weather has been reasonable enough for us to venture out, the priority has been to take Ruby out for some exercise and the allotment has had to play second fiddle.
Most of the tasks that we had to complete before the ground became too wet have been complete. Any still to do will have to wait and tidying up neglected areas will be done bit by bit until we once again are busy sowing and planting. That seems a long way off at the moment but it will come round all too soon.
We may be able to put activity at the allotment on hold but we have to take Ruby for her walks whatever the weather. We’ve stocked up on wet weather clothing for all three of us.
We managed to get out quite a few times and lots of photos were taken, This post is likely to be photo heavy but will only contain a small sample of those taken. You can always skip them if things become too boring.
Our first afternoon out was to one of our usual haunts, Temple Newsam. The weather set the tone for the week and was damp and misty.
The weather didn’t bother Ruby as she had a few games of chase and fetch. I think she would play that all day. She has a limitless amount of energy.
Even in the mist the autumn colours shone.
As I’ve mentioned previously, there are lots of moorhens at Temple Newsam. They can be rather uncooperative when it comes to being photographed so we took a bag of food with us so they would hang around.
Our second afternoon out was to Fountain’s Abbey and Studley Royal which is about an hour’s drive from home. For several evenings during the next month, they are holding some special evening events where they floodlight the abbey. We decided to combine that with an afternoon’s walk. The mist made for an atmospheric scene.
We had a long walk during the afternoon.
Temple Newsam has its moorhens but Fountains Abbey has a huge number of pheasants. As dusk fell more and more of them came out in the open and began to call raucously.
Whilst we waited for darkness to fall, we decided to have a snack. Martyn and I had a scone with jam and clotted cream and Ruby was given a free treat.
As it became darker, the floodlight were switched on and the monastic singing started up. It seemed to take a long time for it to become fully dark and the lighting to become more effective.
We have posted a video of our afternoon and evening at Fountains Abbey. If you haven’t had photo overload you can view it here and listen to the sound effects.
Our last afternoon out was to Nostell. Last week I posted a photograph showing that the winter lake that forms each year in the meadow was already developing. Last week it’s size had increased enormously.
For the first time they have dug a channel to try and divert some of the water into a small stream that is fed by the main lake.
Parts of the meadow were really boggy so we had to pick our route carefully. Ruby’s legs and ears were filthy. It’s no wonder that the cattle have been moved out and the electric fences removed.
Another lake had formed in the wooded area. A couple of ducks were enjoying a swim away from the, often frantic, activity on the main lake.
On the main lake we could, again, only see one adult and two young swans.
The young birds may have flown off but the missing adult is concerning me most. Swans pair for life so I wouldn’t expect the adults to separate.
During our afternoons out we noticed that some plants are flourishing in the wet conditions.
Finally some of last week’s meals.
I made a fruity chicken curry that used some of our red onions and peppers.
More peppers and onion were used in a sweet and sour turkey dish along with our chilli pepper and carrot. Other ingredients were pineapple, honey, soy sauce, tomato puree and white wine vinegar.
Finally we had a pasta dish that used some of our onion, garlic and carrot along with peppers and peas from the freezer, This dish also contained red lentils, celery, tinned tomato, tomato puree and vegetable stock
I hope that I haven’t given you photo overload.
Until next time stay safe and well,
No harvests this week so I don’t qualify for Dave’s Harvest Monday post.
Goodness, some delightful photos of your outings. Just love the abbey lit up. I do hope the swan is OK, it’s worrying, especially as there is so much bird flu about. Loved the fungi. Great meals for this time of the year.xxx
I’m even more worried about the swans, Dina – none to be seen last week
I read about Fountain’s Abbey being floodlit, we talked of going but we haven’t, yet. This weather makes me want to stay indoors and hunker down!
I know what you mean about the weather,If it wasn’t for Ruby we would stay in but she loves her walks regardless of the weather. We went to the floodlot event at Fountains Abbey a couple of years ago too
It has been dire hasn’t it and there’s more coming Wednesday. Hey ho! Here we go again. There are some really lovely photos. The misty ones are so deliciously atmospheric. I do like that feature where you can slide along a gallery of photos. There’s one in there I particularly like with a lovely reflection, I think it’s the last one in the slideshow. Well, stay safe and keep those hatches battened.
Thank Debbie – I love photos with reflections although they are at their best when there is some sunshine which is not likely at the moment.