A WEEK IN PHOTOS

The Week We Found A Lot Of Lakes

Not So Many Pixies & The Caped Crusader Muscles In On The Act

Photo: Penny Grubb

I only just found this massive body of water this week. And yet, it has been practically within cycling distance all this time. At least, I assume so. Huge lakes don’t just appear out of nowhere overnight. I had to find out more.

Like so many lakes, this one originated with a gravel pit; gravel having been dug out when a nearby railway was being built in the 1850s. Once all the necessary ballast had been extracted, two lakes were left. One was largely used as a fishing lake, the other for water sports — mostly by private clubs, it seems.

Photo: Penny Grubb

The reason I haven’t found the place earlier is twofold: it is only in recent years that the area has been opened up to the general public, and it is well out of the way. I would not have expected this track to lead anywhere other than a crop field.

Photo: Penny Grubb

Although I could cycle here, I never found this destination because I always go towards the sea if I decide to go beyond the immediate area. Now I’ve found it, I might head this way, but not before well into next year. I’m a strictly fair-weather cyclist.

[embed]A Week In A Spin The week began with a spin on the bike, and was to end with something more centrifugally challenging…medium.com

It became a week for exploring. Walking up a cinder track, we spotted the path below. More comfortable on the feet, and far too tempting not to give it a try, although it looked a little bit as though it might lead to someone’s front door.

Photo: Penny Grubb

It didn’t, but when we got to the far end, we discovered it was Brian’s path. Sadly, the notice gave no further information about Brian, and we didn’t find anyone to ask.

Photo: Penny Grubb

On another expedition, we took the seven-year-old to an area that has open spaces for her to race around on her scooter, woodland paths to explore, and another lake. The undergrowth was thick and spiky off the tracks. We discovered (by getting our feet wet) that it morphed into the far reaches of the lake. We probably ventured further than we should have.

Photo: Penny Grubb

The seven-year-old kept a keen eye out for pixies and thinks she might have spotted one. We found an entrance to someone’s den.

“Definitely not pixies,” she told us.

Photo: Penny Grubb

I think she was right, though we couldn’t decide who or what lived there. There were plenty of rabbits about but that entrance is too large. Maybe foxes or badgers?

We found a larger den, too, though not in good shape.

Photo: Penny Grubb

“It’s a house that’s been hit by an asteroid,” the seven-year-old told us confidently. An hour into our exploration, she was now an authority on the place.

Back at the lake, we found a hut selling refreshments and fish food. Coffee for us, orange juice for the seven-year-old and a bag of fish food so she could feed the fish. In the event, the fish didn’t stand a chance. Before scattering the food in the water, she tried some herself, declaring it “not very nice.” Once it was thrown in the water, the ducks arrived at speed and mopped it all up.

Photos: Penny Grubb

Back Home

I hate throwing food scraps away. I haven’t had to in years. We’ve always had hens. We have a lot of birds foraging at the moment and our moorhen family has grown to four, so there would be plenty of takers if I put scraps outside. The problem with the random distribution of scraps and the now surplus hen food, is the Caped Crusader. Given the chance, she would eat the lot — including the corn — and it isn’t good for her at her age.

[embed]The Answer To Life’s Most Compelling Questions From the right point of view, it’s simplicity itselfmedium.com

I hatched a plan.

We have several areas of fairly impenetrable undergrowth at this time of year. These are areas that have always been out of bounds to the Caped Crusader and now that age has slowed her, she doesn’t even try to access them. To cover all bases, I made sure she was nowhere near when I carried out my plan.

Photo: Penny Grubb

I carefully seeded these mini jungles with scraps and hen food, then returned indoors thinking with satisfaction of the nice surprise awaiting the moorhen family.

It can’t have been more than a minute later that I glanced out of the window and was aghast to see the Caped Crusader in the middle of the thicket. I flew outside and shouted at her, wondering how she’d got in, and how on earth I was going to get her out. I needn’t have worried on the latter score. She knows when she’s been caught doing something she shouldn’t. She shot out and made her escape over a fence, carrying some loot with her.

No sign of failing eyesight — hearing back up to scratch — not to mention that athletic leap over the fence. The glimmer of a chance to steal food, and all signs of aging vanish. That’s a trick we could all usefully learn.

To add insult to injury, a portly rat emerged from under the thorns carrying its own stash. It paused by my feet, and looked up at me. Apparently seeing no threat, it trotted off over the grass and disappeared in the direction of the pond.

I turned back, prepared to do battle with any pixies who had ventured into the undergrowth to steal the moorhens’ treats, but if there were any, they wisely stayed hidden.

The week in photos articles were started by Dennett in 2020, who regularly records her own week, often including photos of her amazing Whistler family:

[embed]Many Tears, Nine Boxes, and Several Birds My week in photosmedium.com

Here are some more accounts that caught my eye this week. Firstly, a scary one from Anne Bonfert:

[embed]When My Heart Started Pounding in Tanzania Finding myself between worlds while trying to establish a new feeling of safetymedium.com

A magnificent orchid from Sandra B:

[embed]A Week for the Birds Week 60 of my photo-a-day challengemedium.com

Some beautiful birds from Tanya:

[embed]A Kite-less Sky Learning about the kites' migratory patterns and habitsmedium.com

A surprising glimpse into city life from Susan Alison:

[embed]Cute Bootees for Golf Clubs, Exotic Bristol, PupperJack to Give Lessons on Human Manipulation First audiobook out!medium.com

Some magnificent skyscapes from Ivy Shepherd:

[embed]Houseleeks, yellow berries and turbulent skies My week in photosmedium.com

And from Louise Peacock, a well-deserved rant which she illustrates with her own computer art:

[embed]Post Stroke Mumblings — Part 16 Managing Modern Meds…NOTmedium.com

You will find more gems amongst these writers: pockett dessert, Erika Burkhalter, Barb Dalton 🇺🇦, K. Barrett, Mia Verita, Kim Zuch.

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