I drove the few miles to Aberlady yesterday afternoon, to see if the grounds of Gosford House were open for a peaceful replenishing walk. They were! At the time I didn't know that by today we will no longer be allowed to drive somewhere quiet, remote even, to walk in solitary splendour. It is no longer permitted. We have to walk from home now, generally in closer proximity to the world and his wife and children. I am not one to break rules, so will be getting up earlier to walk the dogs while most of the locals are still abed!
The dogs and I walked through the woods, stopping to record a little birdsong to post on Instagram, and then on to the field edge, passing a single deer and a few mallard who are not adverse to spending some time in the woodland.
Always watching, a single deer.
Mr Mallard standing watch over Mrs Mallard while she paddled in a rain filled ditch below.
Wild animal highway - a track fashioned by brown hare and deer.
The woodland has one or two rather special areas. There is one where, in Maytime, wild lily of the valley grows. And this patch of monkshood. It will in time have a very handsome spire of dark blue. It is also known as wolf's bane, amongst other names, and is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is extremely poisonous and not to be touched under any circumstances!
Flowering currant grows throughout the grounds of Gosford House. I noticed, for the first time yesterday, that where there are several bushes growing together the intensity of the shrub's very distinct smell is reminiscent of incense. It was a bit like walking in a cathedral, and I rather liked it!
I saw one or two people walking in the woodland but by the time I reached the lake, the place was deserted. It was blissful. Just me, Tilly and Ted snuffling about either side of the path, and the waterbirds, mostly grey lag geese, squawking and calling.
Green alkanet just coming into flower.
Gosford's chickens supply our eggs for breakfast on Sunday. The estate also breeds pigs and wild boar. I am moving ever further away from meat.
So endeth my last stroll through the grounds of Gosford House for a good while. It was to be my solace in these surreal times. However, the important thing is to stay safe and well - everyone.
The dogs and I walked through the woods, stopping to record a little birdsong to post on Instagram, and then on to the field edge, passing a single deer and a few mallard who are not adverse to spending some time in the woodland.
'And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,'
Such a lovely walk. It will be there in its peaceful slumber when the world returns to a state of a new normal...because going back to the same would be just plain stupid.
ReplyDeleteStay safe too xx