Peak District Again

Hi there. Trying to make my Peak District visits a regular Sunday thing, well at least trying to visit every second Sunday anyway. I'd love to go every week, but budgets (and my legs!) restrict me lol.
Anyway, here are a few photos from last Sunday's visit. Again I got off the train at Edale. This time I wanted to go a bit further, so I sought out the famous Jacob's Ladder.

The "Green Tunnel" at the start of the Pennine Way

Which way?

Walking the Pennine Way, well a part of it anyway

Went through the stiled fields until I reached Lee Farm. I thought this part of the walk was a bit confusing; when I got to the farm there was a guy unloading sheep from a trailer and I thought I'd better ask if I could go through the gate. Didn't want to appear rude, after all! But yes, apparently I haven't gotten lost yet.

Sign for Lee Farm

I had a little nosy in the information barn. Bit cobwebby, but does have some nice snippets of information in, and a lovely picture? or mural? You tell me lol....

I quite liked this

Saw a kestrel either mobbing another bird, or more likely being mobbed, and a mistle thrush I think?

This one let me get quite close

The scenery was amazing, Spring is truely in the air and the weather was gorgeous. Although I wouldn't go as far as some people were, climbing the hill in sandals and dresses; I still had a spare pair of trousers and my waterproof jacket in my bag, as I was there two weeks ago when the hail came out of nowhere!

Spring has sprung

Finally got to Jacob's Ladder. At my pace, which I can tell you is slower than a snail's, this took three hours.

Bridge and stream at the bottom of Jacob's Ladder

Jacob's Ladder

After another rest, I mean after stopping to look at the scenery, I started to climb. Now after reading about this walk on 'tinternet, it certainly isn't for me. However, I decided to ignore that. Up I go!

Looking back down Jacob's Ladder

Walked quite far! As you can see it curls away to the right

Um, marker stones I think?

Wow, this is hard work! I never even made it to the top, let alone walk around Kinder Scout. However, walking back down was easy, and a consolation paddle in the stream at the bottom was well worth it.

Right then, back to Edale! Eight hours of walking sure takes it out of you! Well actually it was more like four hours of walking, and four hours of rest lol. Walking back through Upper Booth farm.

Aww I'm a sucker for baby animals

Chickens running round the farm yard

Stop for an ice cream at the farm shop. Well I think I deserve it! And back in time for the train to Sheffield.

Choo-choo

Lovely enjoyable day. And suntanned to boot! Well I'll be doing that again sometime soon :-)

Wildlife Gardening

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, I got around to creating my mini-wildlife pond. It's certainly not going to win any prizes for being beautiful, but the birds and hedgehogs appreciate it, and that's all that matters to me :-)
So here are a few pictures: First of all I dug the hole for the "pond" to go in.

Freshly dug hole

Then I placed the "pond", no more than the base of a Jenny rat cage, into the hole.

Looking good

Then to fill the hole back in around the pond. I added a bit of water and some stones, and saw no need to clean the pond out as it is a wildlife pond, after all.

New mini-pond

The water level isn't too high, you might notice, mainly because I don't want to be responsible for the drowning of any hedgehogs. I'm not expecting a queue of frogs to appear and make it their home, although they may well might, but just to serve as a drinking and bathing station for any local wildlife is the idea.
By the way, I got this idea from a forum I regularly visit: www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk.

I know I get a few hedgehogs visiting, so I also used the area around it as a sort of "Hedgehog Inn". Here is a "before" picture:

As you can see, it's currently a dumping ground for all the plant pots and seed trays in the garden. And here are the "after" pictures:

Plants from B & Q. Also found this concrete half-pipe which I figured would be a nice shelter for any creatures

Hedgehog Inn. Hoping the ivy will grow over the next few years

The black bowl in the Inn is filled with hedgehog food each night. Although I've taken several "Hedgehog Patrols" through my garden at night, I've yet to see any hedgehogs using it, but the evidence seems to be there. I may have to start charging.

Decided to have a walk around my garden, as my plants are finally starting to grow. I love this time of year!

My potatoes are doing well.

These are Charlotte salad potatoes.

 This is the first year I've grown potatoes in the bags. I'm only an amateur gardener but heard that you're not supposed to grow potatoes in the same place in the following year, due to disease? Ok well these seem to be doing ok anyway lol. And more room in the garden for new veg!

Sweetcorn.

 Now it's the first year I've tried growing sweetcorn. I figured this has to be kept warm, so recycled a plastic container from Morrisons no less, mmm love their chocolate clusters. Anyway, gave the tub a wash, pierced some holes in the bottom and filled it with compost and sweetcorn seeds. I only kept the lid closed before the seeds had germinated; now for ventilation I place a little garden cane, only a tiny thin one, laid down between the lid and the container to keep the lid slightly open. This seems to work anyway.

Brussels Sprouts planted in the ground. I also have "back-up" sprouts in pots

Onions

Strawberry plant, one of three

Other things I've planted include carrots, spring onions, broccoli and peas. I don't use any chemicals whatsoever on my plants, I trust in the ladybugs, hedgehogs and birds to do their work. And funnily enough, I have never had any major problems with pests. That said, I have only been growing my own for a few years now so maybe I have it all to come :-/

Butterfly House

This Sunday gone, I went to North Anston Butterfly House with my fiance. We've been a few times, and enjoy it each time. You have your typical farm animals...

Beware the goats eat your sleeves

Sweet pigs

You can spend a good hour or two feeding the goats and chickens with the food sold at the entrance.

Then leaving the Farm Barn you walk around to the red squirrel enclosure...

Now these are so sweet, I love red squirrels. They are housed with a jackdaw that enjoys a nice piece of kiwi or orange.

Other animals you can visit include the guinea pigs and rabbits.

In his little cottage

Peacocks, chickens and the resident turkey follow you around, hoping you will throw a bit of food their way.

Even this peacock was enjoying the weather

Quite intimidating, but once you get past his appearance he enjoys the food too

Then it's onto the meerkat enclosure, and then around to the prairie dogs and chipmunks.

Sentry duty

This meerkat was more interested in the planes overhead than the food

Sunbathing

New and pleasing addition to the park

Friendly little fellows that enjoyed a long enclosure

Oh it's half past twelve? Time for the Bird Show!

More than just birds of prey; these two macaws Bonnie and Alfie showed off for us

Cookie the kookaburra

Flint the Harris Hawk, who was almost as old as me

What an enjoyable display; the birds don't mind flying right over your head, their feathers brushing your hair as they move around the arena. Plenty of opportunites for the kids to join in too, as it's the Easter Holidays.

 Then into the Tropical House, home to butterflies, bats, snakes, tarantulas, fish, ducks, terrapins, pheasants, hummingbirds and more!

Really?

Iguana chilling out

Unfortunately my photos of the bats didn't turn out as the humidity was too much for my camera at times. Although I did sneak in a little stroke!

Then round to the parrot enclosure, looking at the last few animals before we leave.

What attractive colouring

Sweet barn owl

I liked the hair-do in this picture :-)

Richard enjoying an ice lolly in the sun

Couldn't resist taking a few pictures of the tame robins that were hanging about the centre. No doubt on the lookout for an easy meal

 A really enjoyable day. Can't wait to go again.