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Brigsteer Road to Scout Scar: whatever next

30/1/2024

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PictureScarlet Elf Cup

You never know what might pop up; a chevron of geese clamorous over Kendal,  a bittern booming across the River Kent from the Police Station.  And a scarlet elf-cup in the mosses of the limestone outcrop, all that’s left looking natural below the high fortress wall enclosing Brigsteer Rise and Story Homes’ new houses.  Look back down Brigsteer Road to the distant Howgills and in the foreground is compacted earth where  once trees grew. What’s the plan-   surely not a massive car park on this scenic route? 
Who knows, we locals don't.


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Tam o Shanter and a Burns Night Ceilidh

25/1/2024

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PictureThreave, Castle of the Black Douglas
On a wild night Tam o Shanter rides home home  on his horse Meg.  Through bog and mire with thunder and  flashes of  lightning. with thoughts of his wife’s anger when he rolls in drunk in the early hours.   It’s a rollicking tale with bogles,  warlocks, ghaists and houlets in the murk. 
​Tam rides home through Burn’s own landscape from Dumfries to Ellisland Farm on the River Nith.   He sees lights at a ruined church, the scene of a witches’ ceilidh,  but he's drunk so much he's more curious than scared.




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Goldcrest

17/1/2024

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Picture
As soft snowflakes fell and settled on winter branches the birch looked light and delicate, its twigs tipped with catkins awaiting spring.  Next morning,  snow had frozen to crunchy ice. The sun shone but the ground underfoot was treacherous. After two days of hibernating I was restless.  Hearing birds calling, I looked out into the garden. Blue-tits and a great tit came to the feeders.  Then I caught my breath,  kept absolutely still and looked again.  My camera was in the next room,  if I left the window the bird might fly. I took a chance.




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Back on Scout Scar

14/1/2024

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Picture
Snow on the distant fells, hurray!   It's not a grand reveal on reaching Scout Scar escarpment.  The ground is frozen hard and the sun  moon-pale, shrouded in cloud.  The air is  laden with moisture, the fells  veiled and indistinct.   It's silent and still.  During the morning a cold north wind  clears the air, the sun breaks through fitfully and a roving spotlight shows farmhouses, trees and fragment of fell.  Gleams of brilliance could be low cloud, could be snow in a swirl of sunlight and mist. 
​


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Seize the Day

5/1/2024

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PictureKendal Race Course, 26 December 2023
 On Boxing Day there was perceptible sunrise and a wash of colours on the horizon.  The sun was welcome after days and days of darkness and rain, but the respite was brief. 
​On New Year's Day the sun appeared, fitfully, once again.  At this season the low sun casts long shadows and highlights landscape features in a distinctive way.  Shoot of spring bulbs appear at Sizergh gardens where Charlie the cat always gives a warm welcome.
'When winter comes can spring be far behind?' 


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    Jan Wiltshire is a nature writer living in Cumbria. She also explores islands and coast and the wildlife experience. (See Home and My Books)

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