Nature Watch

Hello all, no photos today as I didn't take my camera with me to Bury St Edmunds this weekend - too many things already in my bags! It was a beautiful Friday and I caught the morning train down to Ely from where I then had another twenty five minute train trip to Bury itself. So, a long trip, but a straightforward one. I knew it was going to be a good nature watching day so I settled myself into a seat with a big window. It was also a very quiet train so I was able to shake of my sandals and put my feet up (on my jacket I hasten to add - I hate it when people put their feet on seats!) so that I could concentrate on the views.

The first thing I noticed is that all the bird's nests, crows, magpies and the like are really high up in the trees this year, about as high as they could be without being actually on top of the trees. So, looks like we are in for a fine, warm and dry summer if the birds are to be believed, and they are usually right. This journey has a really beautiful section on the way towards Sheffield and Chesterfield, with sweeping, dramatic hillsides, trees and streams. So much going on and so much more interesting than reading a newspaper or even a novel! My first notable sighting was a lingering view down onto a sparkling river and just at the water's edge was a swan curled up on it's large nest, it's long neck swooped over it's back with it's head tucked up beneath it's feathers. Gorgeous sight! He/she was evidently looking after the eggs and keeping still in the heat whilst the "other half" was feeding. I spotted another nest high in a tree a short time after this, but no idea what had made it - it seemed massive compared to the other nests though.

Amidst sightings of countless rabbits...I love watching them dashing about...I also saw lots of lambs, I guess these might be a second "brood" as they were tiny. I always look at them with mixed emotions - they look so innocent, helpless and darned cute and yet we know what fate awaits them in such a short time. I'm not a vegetarian, so I may be a hypocrite really, but I draw the line at eating lambs.

My next notable sighting was a comical one as the train slowed and stopped for a couple of minutes whilst waiting for signals to change. There was a small farm and in a little field there was a Border Collie trying his best to round up a large horse who, needless to say, was completely ignoring him and just carrying on chewing the grass! The dog was running in circles around him and even dashing between his legs and at such a rate of knots that he really cut a hilarious figure! Too soon the train was on its way again and Collie and horse were left behind - very funny though!

The landscape changes so much on this journey, from the rolling hills to a very flat landscape, and the wildlife changes too. I always see scores of Pheasants scratting about the edges of the fields when the countryside flattens out. And I had what was the most exciting, if fleeting, sighting not long after Ely. This was a Roe deer running across a patch of field and then leaping over a hedge - a really breathtaking sight.

Well, plenty of lovely nature watching kept me very entertained on my journey and when I arrrived in Bury St Edmunds I changed tack completely and had a wander around the shops! My hotel room was lovely and I had a really good night's sleep, so I was all set for my day at The Stamp Hut where we had the "world exclusive" of new Personal Impressions stamps! These should be available in stores nationwide from early next week. Here are a small selection of my new designs.

From left they are Zoo Animals, Patch Sending Kisses, Background Fun, Prince Frog and Knotty & Friends. Sorry about the small pictures - I couldn't enlarge these off the PI website, but may try again later! I met some lovely people at the Stamp Hut, including some young crafters who were very enthusiastic which is always good to see. It was a scorching day so my Mini Misters came in handy for more than spritzing inks with!

That's all for the moment and I'll post again when I have a chance, but have a very tight schedule this week. Apologies for not leaving comments on everyone's blogs but I am reading them all. Probably silly of me but, if I haven't time to leave a comment on everyone's blogs I feel as if I shouldn't leave any at all!!! I will try though. Off up to Scotland on Friday of course, so hope to meet plenty of my Scottish friends next weekend! Lindsay