A new year and a new approach. Now that I am more familiar with this glorious spot, a more reflective approach has been adopted. More photographs, less history, but still with the magic of the changing year.The flattened grass, spiky in November, has been laid low by the heavy snows of December.
January has been and now gone. The weather, after the scary big winter noises from the end of the last year, has been generally dull, cold but, on some weeks, spectacular - cold with big bright skies. The parkland is recovering from the winter hammer. Not much growth yet, not much about in the wild life, but there is the sense that the parkland is resting.
The stones at the foot of the Queen Ann monument are being split by elder. By comparison with a photograph from last winter, an increased movement is not in evidence.
The volunteers are busy and still the noise of chain saws is perhaps the dominant sound of the month. Two recent recruits are chaps I knew in more vigorous and competitive fields. Good to see them and share the days experiences. I ought to work with these workers in their outdoor gym of a Wednesday. This will have to be every other week, but I might be able to change my patrol day perhaps. Now there's a thought.
Although the weather is chilly, there are many bright days to start the year, but one 24 hours can very unlike the preceding or the following one.
It has been remarkable that rain has been rarely encountered though in the past year's patrols. The waterproof clothing has only been so much luggage for twelve months.
That is not to say that the threat or rain is never far away. Dark clouds can gather, often to the south and west, and showers have been seen scudding away in the valley below Broomroyd Plantation. But we count our luck. Perhaps, next month, we can start to lose the hat and gloves. And the birds may have more reason to shout.
