A festival of Swans

The plan had been to go to Anglessey Abbey to look around the gardens. It was glorious sunshine this morning but as I headed north of Bishops Stortford the rain fell so a change of plans and off to Welney.

Oh boy was it cold!!! Still there were some nice bird, lot of Whooper Swans, Barnacle geese, Snipe, Pintail, lots of Wigeon, other ducks and Kestrel.

This juvenile mute wanted to have its pic taken!

Some more mutes

Another Whoooper

and to finish Mr & Mrs Pochard.

Dark and Cold

It's not so much where is the week going but where is the year going? I don't know about you but Christmas seems to have crept up on us very suddenly!

I haven't actually booked any holidays yet but I have booked some time off work! Hey its damned cold out there and planning trips in sunnier times cheers me up. Get up Darkness, Get home Darkness!!

I'm a bit stumped on next years holidays.... been to SSSOOOO many places. The only things I'm sure of are a trip to Mid/North Wales and taking Dad to Norfolk.

The thing that irks me about this time of the year is that everywhere is closed. The National Trust shuts up shop which strikes me as odd because some of us will do anything to escape from Christmas shopping!

Still I have the odd camera ;) and I may well wander around Anglessey Abbey Saturday. Pete gets 24 layers out ready!

Also on the 2012 front a few concerts have been booked which is something to look forward to.

Christmas will be with Dad, given the appalling TV on over Christmas we're hope for blue skies and dry so we can get out for a ride - and you can see some pictures!

And in the period between Christmas and New Year I'll be in the office. I have stuff I need peace and quiet to do and frankly it seems a waste to be off.

Rye Meads

I woke up at 8am, for me that is amazingly late!! I dragged myself out of bed and headed to Bishops Stortford, I was in two minds what to do. It was cold but the sun was glorious and I fancied a walk at Anglessey Abbey but I headed to Rye Meads.

So I arrive at Rye Meads open the boot and WTF!!!! No telephoto and no binoculars!! I was not impressed so home I go put them in the car and head back. I was not a happy bunny.

This of course all changed when two Lesser Redpolls were sitting in a tree by the centre door :)

The water was partially frozen at Draper Hide all very quiet but a few teal about.

The trails had a Redwing, Fieldfare and a Song Thrush joining the Blackbird.

Look at that blue sky!

As I walked towards the Kingfisher hide a Green Woodpecker took off.

No kingfishers but this was there instead

Carried on with an enjoyable stroll.

For Turquis

So Turquis you'd like a picture of a Red Squirrel? Here's one I took earlier....

Classical Music, Sightseeing and Squirrels

Today was the last cultural day of the year.

Up early and off to St James's park......

It was so dull....

Oh look Buckingham Palace

Is this a winter bloomer?

Some collection birds

Ah the ubiquitous Grey Squirrel.

The memorial to the Animals at War.

Some Selfridges windows.

The concert was the Finzi Quartet playing:

Haydn - String Quartet in Bb Op 50 No 1
Brahms - String Quartet in C minor Op 51 No 1

and very enjoyable it was and a nice final concert of the year!

Shopping

I took Dad shopping today we went to Welwyn Garden City. I do like Welwyn (well as far as shopping centres go), lots of Greenery, the Howard Centre is better than most and it has a John Lewis!

We've not been there since Mum died and it is amazing how much has changed! The car park has no tickets or barriers, you just punch in the last 3 digits of your registration in when you want to pay and a picture of your car appears! and you pay. You could drive off without paying and pay by internet by the end of the day... after that they'll come after you I guess!

Dad likes John Lewis as he can say "HOW MUCH" :D

Here is Rye Gate House near Rye Meads.