There and Back

The Essex & Suffolk Hunt is reputed to have been started by Sir William Rowley in 1791 with a pack of hounds purchased from the Duke of York. The pack was kept in kennels at Tendring Park, Stoke by Nayland. In the mid 19th Century the kennels were moved to Stratford St Mary by Captain White. During the second World War the kennels moved to their present location at Layham but it was not until after the War that it was decided that the Essex and Suffolk sides should join up and the country has been hunted as a whole ever since. Although I am not a fan of hunting, it is interesting to see what is an established part of country life for many people. I walk past the kennels several times a week, so see the hounds exercising regularly. It never ceases to amaze me how the Kennel Huntsman controls the hounds on the roads around here - very skillful indeed. Heading for pre meeting drinks. `One must have a sip of the hard stuff before one rides off` `Thank you

As in most years, 2010 had a great many wonderful things to offer in `the wild`. From birds and insects, to colours and shapes. Here are a few of them as I captured them digitally. We are surrounded by amazing things and it is so easy to pass them by. That is why the camera is a great tool for capturing these things and turning them into memories. Long Tailed Tit in the garden Jackdaw in Pembrokeshire.. Swan on the Brett, mirrored in the river. Green Woodpecker feeding its young. Drinker Moth caterpillar Blister Beetle Thrift growing in abundance on the cliff path near Little Haven. Ransoms or Wild Garlic Lords-and-Ladies or Cuckoo Pint. Dandelion head Dark Mullein Orchid Thistle  Peacock Butterfly Ruddy Darter Common Blue Swallowtail - Britain's largest butterfly Small Skipper Burnett Four Spotted Chaser Follo

Winter struck at the beginning of December with a very sharp freeze, then some snow. After that a respite until 19 December when we had a really good snowfall. Having not had a good snowfall for some time, I took to the lanes (with boots) to get some photos - it was spectacular. Which way to go first - if you can read it! Yes, the frost was severe! From our guttering. Church railings Everything had a layer of snow on it. No one has been this way today. Even the most familiar places take on a new perspective in the snow and a few images near home illustrate the fact, for me at least! Next day the cloud had cleared and the images had the benefit of a blue sky. Normally a large grassy play area for the kids. They were there later playing snowballs. From the far side of the MIll Pond and looking toward the footbridge. Similar to the above but including the mill House. Just catching the morning sun.

Autumn is a beautiful time of year despite the imminent threat of Winter round the corner. Some years we have masses of colour, but in others, the leaves are off the trees before we can appreciate them.  Here are a few images taken in 2010, and mostly in close proximity to where we live, starting  with some leaves. Leaves still on the trees, and below are some that are on the ground. Steps This is the time of year that we see the most fungi, although they can be spotted at varying times in the year. The reasonably common  Fly Agaric (Aminita muscaria) Another common one, the Shaggy Parasol (Macrolepiota procera) Perhaps we don't see these quite as much, the Crested Coral (Clavulina coralloides) The Brett with reflections of the autumnal colours. Mist - beautiful, but a hazard if you are on the road! More reflections on the Brett Drips of moisture on the Rose hips The local church of St