Weekend Reflections In B & W

To see more reflective shots visit James who hosts Weekend Reflections or why not join in as well.

Sky Watch

Monday's sky on the way back from my walk.

Shown now for

Sky Watch Friday

Standing Stones

Cheethams Park

Stalybridge

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This is not an ancient site made by a race of men long gone.... it is most proberly the brain child of one of the gardners here at the park.

I must admit that where it is situated is a very good choice... right at the far end of the park.... just by the entrance to the woods.

If I had seen this as a child it would have become a favourite spot to play, even now it as a certain feel about the place. I sat here for a good half hour taking in the sights, sounds and smell of the place. Who ever it was that thought this up deserves praise as the area is so peaceful.

In the back ground can be seen the old brick barn I showed a day or two back... and at the side is the woodland path.

Tree Burl

Early Bank Woods

Stalybridge

Burls are weird lumps, bumps, and bulges that grow on tree trunks, I have no idea what causes them maybe an insect of a injury to the tree?

Burls continue to grow as the tree grows, and can be massive like this one. I have seen them on some very big old trees so no really harms seems to be done.

The unusual swirling grain forms unique patterns in these burls which makes them prized by woodworkers. Burls can be carved into bowls or other objects. I should think this fine one most be worth a penny or two.

Woodland Views

Early Bank Wood

Stalybridge

Sweet Chestnuts

Early Back Woods

Cheethams Park & Nature Reserve

Stalybridge

Now is the ideal time to go out collecting our Sweet Chestnuts. As the October winds blow there will plenty falling from above. Make sure your head is safe.... I had one spike my bald pate last year ha!

I love these roasted , I simply slit the skin with a knife as they explode if you don't and roast them in a hot oven..... I can then sit there peeling back the skins and eat the softened nut within.

I picked about 10-12 pound in weight last week and have them in the shed ready for when needed.

Carved Nuthatch

Nuthatch Seat

Cheethams Park & Nature Reserve

Stalybridge

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This is a living tree and the carved Nuthatch as been attached where a limb as been removed.. the seat is just wide enough for me to sit on... so it must be ment for two.. ha! Again this was part of the sculpture trail... this trail as been added this year and I have not been able to find any information on it as yet.

I will show the next set of pictures from this set on Friday, to join in with Rune's bench post..... so theres a clue as to whats in store. Tomorrow I will show you two old stone posts with inscriptions.... I hope you can join me then as I need help deciphering one ;o)

3 Of - 6

Spruce & Cones

Not sure what the tree is, any idea?

3 Of - 5 For Sky Watch

This was the sky on Monday morning when I had a walk to a local park... I did take the more scenic route through the fields above Matley. To see more Sky Watch posts visit
Sky Watch Friday

3 Of - 4

Rowan Tree

3 Of - 3

Flip Side Of An Oak Leaf

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Silk Button Spangle Galls

Caused by a Gall wasp

'Neuroterus numismalis'

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The gall wasp has 2 generations per year. One being sexual and the other agamic (all female, and needs no male to reproduce). The sexual generation causes Blister galls on oak leaves. Whereas the agamic generation causes Silk button galls on the underside of oak leaves. The agamic generation was previously named N. vesicator before it was realized to be two generations of the same species.

Walk Around Matley 14

These are the last few pictures I will show you of my walk around and through the fields of Matley.

This is one of the last few herds of dairy cattle in Hyde, most farms now seem to make their living from horses. When I first moved around here over 20 years ago I would often stand and watch the farmer walking his herd back to and from the farm at milking time. All the traffic would be held up on Matley lane.... which at that time had a 60mph speed limit on most parts... that as now dropped to 40mph. The field he would walk them from he sold for housing, and as his fields on this side of the road are all connected it is rare to see them on the road now.

Autumn was showing all around, the trees are all changing colour now and some like this Holly were baring fruit.

By the time I had done this walk around Matley I was tired, it used to take me no time at all. I walked down this pathway heading home past the Rising Moon public house.... at one time I would have stopped off here for a pint or two, but now my thoughts were on my aching knees and hips, and an erratic heart beat. I got home realising how unfit I am at the moment, my illness stops me from exercising each day, which in turn as led me to pile on the pounds... I really need to do a little each and everyday, even if I have to sit down on a chair whilst doing so. ha!

Thanks for dropping by and seeing and reading about my walk, hopefully the next one will not be to long.

Walk Around Matley 13

Matley

In Black & White

Walk Around Matley 10

Matley's Hedgerows

Most of the hedgerows around Matley seem to be made up of Holly, Hawthorn, Oak, and Elder. All these trees work well as a way of keeping stock in the fields.. and each tree would also have been useful to the farmer...

This was a new footpath for me, and I was pleased with this avenue of tree.... it was dark and muddy but a very interesting pathway. At one time a track of some sort had been here... I had past by a small quarry dug out of the hillside and now overgrown. As there's a number of cottages at the end of this track in seem a far guess the stone for the cottages came from there.

A few more picture yet to show you from around here, so join me again tomorrow and I'll show you an interesting and smelly find.

Walk Around Matley 6

Who Remembers The Lightening Tree

Down in the meadow where the wind blows free,

In the middle of a field stands a lightning tree.

It’s limbs all torn from the day it was born

For the tree was born in a thunderstorm.

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

It’s never too late for you and me;

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

Never give in too easily.

Down in the meadow where the wind blows light,

The lightning struck in the middle of the night.

Limbs stripped bare by the lightning flare

The lightning flare was a wild affair.

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

It’s never too late for you and me;

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

Never give in too easily.

Down in the meadow where the wind blows cold,

The lightning tree stands stiff and old.

Branches bent when the lightning rent

The lightning rent from the firmament.

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

It’s never too late for you and me;

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

Never give in too easily.

Down in the meadow with the wind in the west,

The lightning tree faced up to the test.

Its heart went snap when it took the rap,

the terrible rap of the thunder clap.

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

It’s never too late for you and me;

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

Never give in too easily.

Down in the meadow when the wind blows free,

A whispering breeze in the lightning tree.

Dreams come true if you want them to

If you want them to, then it’s up to you.

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

Never give in too easily.

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

It’s never too late for you and me.

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

Never give in too easily.

Grow, grow, the lightning tree,

It’s never too late for you and me.

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If like me you liked horses, and watched childrens TV in the early 1970s then you should remember this song from Follyfoot Farm. Follyfoot was a British children's television drama series made in the early 1970. It was based on the books Follyfoot and Cobbler's Dream by Monica Dickens. The series was produced by Yorkshire Television, and shown on the ITV network in the UK. It was a favourite programe in our house... I don't know if I like watching the horse best or Dora Maddocks (Gillian Blake) - the series' central character and niece of The Colonel. ha! Happy days... More from Matley again tomorrow.

Walk Around Matley 3

Interesting sights to see in the Hedgerows around Matley

Rose Hips

Rose Hips are the cherry-sized red fruits of the rose bush left behind after the bloom has died. Although nearly all rose bushes produce rose hips, the tastiest for eating purposes come from the Rosa rugosa variety

Holly Leaves

The leaves of the Holly tree have a leathery texture and are thick, green and glossy. Normally about 2 inches log, they are edged with stout prickles alternately pointing upwards and downwards, while most of the upper leaves have only a single prickle. The leaves have neither taste nor odour and stay attached to the tree for several years. When they do fall off, the leaves take a long time to decay seeming to stad up well to the natural actions of air and moisture.

Elder Berries & Black Berries

Elderberries are small, dark berries that grow in clusters on Elder trees. Elders are a hardy plant that grow along our hedgerows, they are fast growing and typically grow quite large and full... the berries can be used for many purposes. Blackberries are one of our most popular berries, I still pick them each year..... and along with apples I make pies and crumbles for the freezer

Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan Balsam is common on our river and streams, but as nice as the flowers maybe it is however an invasive weed. The brightly coloured flowers are usually in shades of purplish pink to white and flower from June to October. Himalayan Balsam can produce around 2,500 seeds in explosive seed pods that throw seeds 20 feet or more away from the original plant. The seeds can last in the ground for several years. Apart from how nice the flowers are I like these for the way they attract bees and such like. Join me tomorrow for some macro shots of these flowers gettin a visit .