30.7.09

Blowing away the cobwebs



We have found a new walk, almost on our doorstep. My cold (not helped by getting caught in a shower) needed a final nudge to send it on its way. It's given us a whole new aspect of our village, somewhere over there, in the middle of the greenery. It was a blowy day, and a fledgling bird of prey was testing its wings. Andy thought it was a kestrel as it was quite small and had a similar flight pattern. I thought it was a buzzard, because of the markings and lack of grey hood on it's head. We Googled images and emerged even more confused. Any expert opinion (as opposed to our amateur guesswork) is most welcome.




Naturally there had to be a picnic. And a picnic needs a view. Ideally there should be fizzy pop, boiled eggs, Mr Kipling cakes, and rolls or sandwiches. We were greedy and had sausage rolls as well. Don't forget the Maldon sea salt for the eggs. (Andy's knee is not compulsory).





If it seems as if I spend a lot of time going out for walks - well yes, I do. And we are lucky to have so many on our doorstep. My life - in the summer - is pretty much compiled of needle felting, walks, watching cricket matches and little domestic things, such as cooking and tending our veg patch. In the winter it is the same, but without the cricket or the veg patch. Much of this is from choice, but I have no disposable income, and all of these things are free or cheap. It is quiet, but it suits me; it makes up for the first twenty four years of my life, which were - well, not exactly ideal, by a long chalk. Some people see their childhood and youth as a golden time in which they had their happiest time. I was not so lucky, so I am very appreciative of what I have now, and bless every day in which I have Andy and the small things of life. Which are not so small really.

Rather like my cucumber - what a whopper!



25 comments:

Ladybird World Mother said...

What a lovely life. And that cucumber is amazing!! Twice the size of ours...

School on the Heath said...

What a perfect way to spend a day.

Gail said...

Hi there,

Lovely post ... for some reason it brought a tear to my eye - I guess making me realise how ungrateful I sometimes am for the small things that make life worthwhile ... ;-)

Harvested the first of our potatoes today - had them for our dinner and they were lovely! There's something special about things you've grown yourself!

At a guess I'd say the bird of prey is a kestrel - looks the right shape and colouring to me.

Thanks for sharing
-Gail x

Jess said...

Your days sound lovely. They say the best things in life are free - it's not a cliché for nuffink!:)xx

Sarah Laurence said...

What a nice walk! I hope you are feeling better.

Weeping Sore said...

I'm persuaded that increasing one's disposable income bears no relationship to increasing one's happiness. Your life is filled with activities and people you enjoy. You're richer than most.

Anonymous said...

My days are very similar and I bless the day I gave up a career for a life. I agree with the kestrel ID-a young one.

Caroline B said...

Just been to look up your bird in my Book of British Birds (spot the nerd......I inherited all my mum's reference books and they are useful!) and it would appear to be a female kestrel - only the male has a grey hood. A buzzard is much bigger & more fierce looking with a wicked beak (yes, that is the technical term 'wicked beak'!)

That's one hell of a cucumber!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

A picture perfect cucumber! And my favourite choice for lunch. Sliced with a little salt. The best.

Lovely walk. You are a lucky girl. I'm not sure what the bird is...although he looks like one of our hawks. But I don't know if you have them there.

Anonymous said...

I agree, what a lovely way to spend a day. I think you have a wonderful sounding life...I'm envious. I hope to have such a relaxed life soon, and who the heck needs disposable income anyway?! Picnics and walks are MUCH nicer.

Mike Woodcock said...

Nothing better than a walk in the country, a picnic and good company! Andy is right this time, your bird is definately a kestrel.

Jane said...

Very beautiful walk, what a lovely day to have a picnic, you've got better weather than us as the moment.

I agree, you are looking at a kestrel. Buzzards, even immature ones will be much bigger, a foot or so from head to toe, kestrels are only a few inches 6 or 8 or so.
It's difficult to tell from the pic but it's either a female or an imature bird who hasn't got his final plumage yet. The stripy tail helps identify them as well.

I used to fly these birds a number of years ago and let me tell you I'd rather have a buzzard than a kestrel any day, I got more nips from the tiny 6oz ketrel than I ever did from a big 2.5lb buzzard!!

GretchenJoanna said...

Sounds like a good life to me! These simple and quiet "little" things are huge.

Alettesiriane said...

The best is to have experienced and know that what you have is a good life,this enhanses the feelings.(I am talking of self experiences)sincerly

rachel said...

A lovely post, a delightful picnic, and the opportunity to ask a question that gets a few of us better-informed about birds of prey than we were a few moments ago. Thanks!

Suze said...

After your travails through your earlier times, it is wonderful you have now found somewhere you love, with someone you love...doing the things you find beautiful...I'm glad it's happened for you.

I too decided to flee the 9-5...and have been far more content with the things I've discovered since(moving apart).

I agree with your bird being a kestrel too...I watched one hunt the other day. Just wings back and down like an arrow, disappearing into the long grasses. Superbly beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I agreee with the other commenters - it is a kestral; you got really nice view of it!

Would you like to join in a give away over at my blog?

Calico Kate said...

V impressed with the green fingers that grew that monster! So pleased that you're happy now. It isn't necessary to have a lot of money to enjoy the things that in one's immediate vicinity. Wel done you for recognising this and for getting yourself to a happier space.
CKx

Frances said...

Would you look at that cucumber! In some way it reminds me of those ancient stones standing upright in various parts of your country.

It may surprise you to hear that I also have very, very little disposable income, once my requisite housing, food and utitilities bills are paid each month. (I actually like saving, and don't particularly like spending. Much more fun to have "free" time to be creative.)

Your views are spectacular. xo

Elizabeth Rhiannon said...

Well, reading your post and what your life consists of, the first thought that popped into my head was, "What a lovely life", then I read the first comment :) After scrolling down and reading the other comments, that word pops up again and again. Really, you are blessed and as Weeping Sore pointed out "I'm persuaded that increasing one's disposable income bears no relationship to increasing one's happiness." So true. Excluding the needle felting and cricket matches (well, I don't know), that is exactly how I would love to spend my time there. Stay well! ~ER~

Kim said...

That was a lovely post, and you are right, we should make the most of every day. I think as adults, we have the benefit of being able to not care so much what others think, I'm happier in my skin, and just being what I want to be, then at any other point in my life.
Take care,
Kim xx

natural attrill said...

What a fab cucumber!
penny.

tlchang said...

I love your walks. And you are truly blessed to be so content with the life you lead.

Bee said...

These quiet things you describe are the very best things. You write about them so beautifully, PG.

Alina said...

What a lovely way to spend a day!
Alina