rural rides – take a little trip with me

 

The nearest village to us is Laughton – a sleepy hamlet with  only a few cottages and a church.  The walls surrounding the church are made of wattle and daub and they have been thatched to protect against weather.  All the holes you can see are from Miner Bees. 

Even the old animal stabling is thatched.

From Laughton we cross the Gumley Hills where a farmer keeps a suckling herd of cows, which means the the cows are allowed to keep their calves to suckle rather than being separated after a few days.  They roam the hills, refuse to get off the road when you are trying to pass, and look lazily at you as if to say ‘I was here first – go round me.’

 

This little chap hasn’t long been born – you can still see his umbilical cord hanging below.

At Gumley Hall the old stable block, which I visited many years ago, housed the squire’s hunters.  I met Lancelot, the biggest horse I have ever seen – I felt dwarfed at the side of him.  Sadly the squire and his wife both committed suicide (not at the same time) and the inheritor sold off all the buildings to turn into homes, but the clock tower still stands.

The next stop is Theddingworth where the old railway station, which closed in the 60’s, is now a home – the station house, platform and signal box have all been preserved.

The area all around is mainly used for sheep grazing – I passed this little lot sleeping in the shade – but was amazed at the number of crows gathered in the field – just in case you didn’t know – it is known as a ‘murder’ of crows.

The canal at Theddingworth is a favourite walk – usually quiet and peaceful, although at this time of year there is a lot of holiday traffic on the waterways.

And just by one of the bridges I spotted a gathering of butterflies – the collective name, well, there are a few actually – a lek, swarm, rabble, flight, kaleidoscope and my favourite – a flutter.

Not sure what they were doing – perhaps they had just met up for a natter.

The homeward journey, down a shady lane out into the sunlight and back to my garden.

Where the ‘hot’ border is filling out nicely with zingy colours, waiting for the Rudbeckia to unfurl its petals

 

I hope you have enjoyed the tour of my little part of the countryside – it is a glorious day today with a cooling breeze and bright sunshine – all’s well with the world.

Have a good weekend.