Day 2 - Wild Wind

Oh so windy out there on Day two of 30 Days Wild! I don't like wind... I am always reluctant to go out in it as it irritates my eyes, tangles my hair and, well, I just don't like getting blown around... but this wind was a 30 Days Wild wind so, as I needed to head outdoors for something, I decided if I couldn't beat the wind I'd join it and I went up high!

I went Home for an hour and wandered amongst the trees then up to the top of the rocks (but not to the highest point) where the wind was so strong I was nearly blown over! I struggled to stand up at times!

As usual for me, I took lots of photos and I made several videos too which I've included here - of the wind at different locations... in the woods lower down, up on the rocks and rushing across the water in the pool.

My favourite part of the afternoon was watching the water being blown in the wind... sort of like a starling murmuration in watery form! The worst part of my hour outdoors was the wind in my eyes and coming home with a birds nest of hair I've now got to do something with! I had a pretty good time out there and skipped back down to the car - exhilarated and invigorated!

I checked in on the peregrines too while I was there... three fluffy chicks :) I'll re-visit another day to take some photos of those.

Here are some of the photos and videos (I promise not all my 30 Days posts will be so photo-filled!) I took whilst I was out. This place is where I grew up, I lived here until I was 23 (and have wished I lived here still every day since I moved a few miles away!). It's a beautiful landscape and was a truly wonderful area to grow up in!

I really thought the rain was on its way in from Cheshire and expected to get soaked, but it never came, it just got sunnier over me!

I'd decided the pool was as far I was walking today so I stopped here for ten minutes or so and watched the movement of the water as the wind raced across. I liked it so much I made videos from several angles!

I could hear some cheeping coming from this crack in a rock... I think there are some little birds in there!

I'm short on time this evening as I'm heading out for dinner with the ladies I worked with at my previous school, but I'll catch up with other 30 Days Wild-ers as soon as I have chance, hopefully tomorrow!

Day 1 - A wet woodland walk

Back to school today and the first day of 30 Days Wild! 

 I'll be honest, after a busy weekend, first day back at work after half term and having lots to do today I was rather regretting signing up for this challenge and I felt a bit stressed about it all day - what was I going to do and when was I going to fit it in?  I needn't have worried though! 

It was a lovely start to the day...

Taken on my way to school

but the sunshine didn't last and I didn't manage to get out to play until about 4:15pm, when it was wet and windy!  I actually quite like walking in the rain though so I did a walk from home, into the woods and back across the fields.

As soon as I reached the woods I was lost in the sounds of birdsong and raindrops on the leaves above... the long to do list was forgotten and I was so glad to be outdoors in the rain, so glad that I did sign up for this challenge! 

I walked a path I very rarely walk and was surrounded by birds and flowers. I had great views of nuthatch, jay and mistle thrush as well as all the usual suspects - but no photos due to that annoying habit birds have of disappearing as you're about to push the button! There are so many flowers growing everywhere I gave up counting species and decided there are too many to name! There was, of course, a lot of mud too and I did jump in a few puddles :)

Back home after an hour outdoors, time to put the kettle on and I timed it just right to see a sparrowhawk flying over the garden! 

Not a bad start to 30 Days Wild at all ... I wonder where it'll take me tomorrow?!