Thursday 31 December 2009

Swan Song


Another lousy sermon!

From the Boss: This picture was taken many years ago when there was a pair of swans living on the pond beside the church.

Wednesday 30 December 2009

Another dew pond

And I won't go into this one either!

From the Boss: This dew pond is fairly new, having been made only within the last ten years, and is lined with plastic sheeting. It is quite near the Roman camp and at the top of Wild Park.

Tuesday 29 December 2009

From the Roman Camp

Yesterday afternoon the Boss took me across 39 Acre field and round the Roman Camp - one of my favourite walks.

From the Boss: This is looking almost due west across Patcham. In the middle distance, just right of centre, is a windmill which, although it doesn't look it, actually stands at the top of a hill. It was originally built in the village at the bottom of the hill and when relocated it was pulled up the hill by oxen.

Monday 28 December 2009

Signs of spring

Despite all the snow, ice and frost, Mother Nature seems to think that spring won't be long in coming.

Sunday 27 December 2009

Christmas trees

I got quite a surprise when we went to Stanmer again this afternoon. Somebody had decorated several trees for Christmas.

Saturday 26 December 2009

Before the snow

One of the lilac bushes was trying its hardest to bloom before the snow arrived. Now the flowers are all brown and shrivelled.

Friday 25 December 2009

I must make sure...

...I don't lose the new ball Father Christmas brought me.

Thursday 24 December 2009

The path home

Through the gate, across the road, then follow the signpost.

Wednesday 23 December 2009

The gate


After the stile, we cross the fields and go through the woods, coming out at the gate to the Upper Lodges of Stanmer Park.

Tuesday 22 December 2009

The stile

On the way home the Boss goes over, I go under.

Monday 21 December 2009

The dew pond


I wouldn't go into this in the summer so I'm blowed if I will now!

Sunday 20 December 2009

Red, white and blue

Still in Withdean as we can't get to Stanmer. I hope the birds like their food extra cold.

Saturday 19 December 2009

Not Stanmer

This isn't Stanmer woods, but Withdean park where we walk in the mornings. The Boss says that we won't be going to Stanmer until the roads are clear of snow and ice, but I'm quite happy with this.

Friday 18 December 2009

Not all is mud



Off the paths and under the trees there is a two-inch thick carpet of cleaner leaves.

Thursday 17 December 2009

Still muddy



Given the state of the paths in the woods it's really no wonder that I come back covered in leaves, sticks and all sorts of other bits and pieces. But I do enjoy my walks.

Wednesday 16 December 2009

I'm back!





The Boss picked me up from kennels yesterday and this afternoon we went back into Stanmer woods as the ground is pretty solid in the cold weather. He forgot to take his camera, so here is a picture from when the weather was warmer and people were picnicking by the church.

Sunday 6 December 2009

On to the cotoneaster



Now that the berries on the rowan tree have been eaten, the birds are moving on to the cotoneaster, like the immature blackbird in the shot below.

Saturday 5 December 2009

The Boss was right


The birds have had a feast off the rowan tree.

Friday 4 December 2009

It's a memorial



And someone's eaten the head of that turtle, or tortoise, or whatever it was supposed to be.







From the Boss: The memorial has been there for more than 200 years and is certainly in need of some TLC. The inscription reads, "To the memory or Frederick Frankland, Esq: MP: Died March the 8th 1768 aged 73. This monument is erected by his ever affectionate and most truly grateful son and daughter Thomas Lord Pelham and Ann his wife June 1776." Note that despite his proclamation of affection and gratitude, it took his Lordship no less than eight years to erect the memorial!

Thursday 3 December 2009

What's that?


That thing up there on the edge of the woods. Let's go and have a look.

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Heading north


At least there's plenty of room to chase my ball.

From the Boss: Continuing northwards from the mulberry trees, we catch the first glimpse of the village as we breast a rise - the chimneys of Stanmer House and the church tower.

Tuesday 1 December 2009

The first frost of the winter

I love frosty mornings. There are loads of different smells, like on this ivy.