A walk in the woods

I don't intend blogging about my daily walk every day but...

I decided to walk to the other potential spot I could walk. There is a large pond but alas it's for fishing and you can't even see it :( but I strolled on to the woods.

Brenthall & Barnsley Woods are a small areas of woodlands between two Housing developments in the care of Harlow Council.  I just wandered along the paths listening to bird song. Obviously nothing amazing but I saw both male and female blackcap heard chiffchaff and a pecker drumming.

There was a very small area of reed bed and snobby git that I am I expected it to be a bit unkempt with shopping trolleys etc and I ignored it on the way out but I passed close to it on the way back and thought "hang on, what's that?" I wandered over and patiently waited for said little brown job to  pop and up popped a Reed Warbler! My gast was flabbered ! I never expected to see a Reed Warbler within walking distance of home. There were two singing.

So I have two decent places to walk and see some wildlife. This is good.

A bit of exercise

As I am off I thought I REALLY need to get some exercise. Now there aren't many places around here but off I toddled! I decided lugging a big camera and lens isn't really what I should be carrying as it is meant to be about exercise so I slipped my compact in the back pocket and a small set of binoculars in bag.

I haven't done this walk in 18 years!!

Come on Mallards SOCIAL DISTANCING!!

On to Harlow Common

On the plus side I saw Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat and Blackcap :) and heard a Green Woodpeck. Also saw a Kestrel

I crossed the M11 very little traffic which is good.

back the other way

On to the estate and frankly I hadn't got a clue where I was! Honestly I never go past my turn. Nice to see two Buzzards overhead.

Nice stroll

Your blogger checking in :)

I was meant to be going to Cornwall today visiting my friends Jan & Tony but alas I am sitting at home watching telly.

I went out this morning and did some shopping (first time I've been out since last Saturday)  I am pleased to see most people were following instructions and following the arrows in Tesco's but a few nutters were wandering all over the place.

The panic buying has stopped and it was well stocked.

I have bought a milk frother (onlinr) which makes my coffee look a bit more "special" in these days of few pleasures is something to celebrate.

Despite the frustration of not getting out I'm not finding it ok. The pleasures of music, books etc

I will dig out a few historic photos next week to brighten this blog up!

Still here

Well everyone still here.

It is interesting to read that since the lock down pollution levels have fallen dramatically which perhaps might convince a few people that man is having an impact on the environment. In Venice the canals are much clearer and you can see fish and there are now swans. Normally you won't see a Mallard on the main canals.

I'm loving my coffee maker I didn't buy it from Amazon or another major retailer but got it from an independent coffee roaster. One of the things we are going to have to do when this is over is support independents.

You can't get a delivery slot around here but I have got an order of wine from Baythorne and cheese from the Cotswolds Cheese Company.

I'm being a good lad and staying in other than shopping!

So off to read a book and listen to music ;)

are we having fun yet?

I seem to be coping ok with being stuck indoors.

I drove to Dad's this morning to check the house is ok.  There were very few cars about but not many. All totally safe I was in 10 metres of no one! Other than that I will shop tomorrow morning and spend the rest of the week indoors.

When I opened the front door and found a pint of milk! Ongar dairy left a leaflet with what they deliver with a sample. There were potatoes at dads. Good idea really.

I am listening to podcasts, lots of music and reading which is good.

I am no able longer to get a coffee (I do wonder if the cafe I visit in Barking will survive) so I have bought a coffee maker. An Aeropress so I can have PROPER coffee.

Keep smiling yet, stay indoors and we can get out quicker.