It’s cold. An easterly wind rattles across the woodland, it rustles through the stands of Bamboo. Small flocks of Woodpigeon race overhead, and a roost of 15 or so Rooks call loudly from the tips of the Sycamore trees.
Walking along the back lane I spot my first few Snowdrops in flower, between the surrounding Daffodils shoots. Here I discover some more lovely winter delights; black Hypericum berries, flowers billowing from the Stinking Hellebore, and blossoms of Winter Heliotrope. Though I do find it hard to enjoy the latter given how much its spreads as an invasive species, and choking out anything else which tries to grow.
Behind the Shed, I recently identified a plant Leycesteria formosa, which is also currently in flower; its long spindly branches drooping with hanging racemes of maroon-coloured flowers.
The bulbs at Sunnydale seem to be waiting a little longer, though further up the hill I find some fresh Bluebell sprigs under the canopy of the large Beech tree. They emerge between the fallen Macrocarpa pinecones, and basal leaves of Wood Dock and Dandelion.
Towards the end of my walk turn west towards the Lighthouse and I’m pleased to finally feel some respite from the wind. The calm brings some pleasant birdsong to my ears; a family of Great Tits flocking over the Old Man’s Beard, a Robin singing as it sits with puffed up feathers upon the Hawthorn, and a little Wren as it disappears below the Viburnum.
I check on the work progressing at the quarr before heading back to the office. Following completion of the new capstan and spack, the wall is also now rebuilt; with a frame secured into place for the new interpretation panel to come. Five Magpies churr from the surrounding dormant slopes. I think the nursery rhyme goes ‘Five for Silver’ ..right? That would be nice.