Easter Walkabout

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

The freezing weather continued to bite with snow flurries and low temperatures.  But nothing was going to stop our Easter adventures. I’d made many plans. On Good Friday I ticked off the first on my list, a trip to one of our  favourite place in the world, Aberystwyth. It was 7C when we left Coventry and watched the temperature dropping as the we drove west. First, we encountered the never ending road-works at Wednesbury. An hour later, I spy this adorable Song Thrush when we stopped at a traffic light near Shrewsbury.

The GPS took us a different route through Montgomeryshire. and the road got smaller and smaller and we even drove down a single track. But I’m not complaining cos the views were out of this world. What a happy incident. All you could hear was my camera rattling away. We drove through tiny hamlets with gorgeous black and white buildings. We came across a procession of worshippers with one of them carrying a wooden cross. Well it was Good Friday after all.. We past fields of sheep with lambs happily gambolling that we just had to stop. We stopped by a field to photograph these adorable lambs.

We were caught in a long traffic jam at Newtown. Mid-Wales was frozen solid. Snow still laid thick in the Cambrian Mountains. The stone walls silver over and puddles glass over as all became a mantle of white. The trees cast feathers of snow from their branches. Beautiful in a stark and bare sort of way. Blissfully gorgeous sceneries I was in awed. Here Mother Nature was the ultimate artist.

We drove through miles and miles of stunning winter scenes as snow transformed the Welsh countryside in scenes of breathtaking beauty. It looked amazing under a blanket of snow. We drove through icicles dripping from the snowy branches. I love its stillness and muffled silence.

“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape—the loneliness of it – the dead feeling of winter, Something waits beneath it – the whole story doesn’t show”

~Andrew Wyeth~

As we got closer to Nanty-R-Yan, the snow had nearly disappeared and hundred of Red Kites were circling the skies. The sun was out but it was still freezing. The reserve was buzzing with visitors. After making use of the facilities, we checked out the bird-feeder outside the visitor centre. Hundreds of Siskins, Chaffinches, House Sparrows, Robins, Blue and Great Tits were taking turns to feed. I was hoping to see a Brambling but not today.

A few minutes before 2 pm, we made our way down to the lake to see the piece de resistance. The best seats were already taken but we still managed to get a good spot. At exactly 2 pm, a warden was seen dragging a bag of carcasses. She quickly threw  them on to the ground and then the party began. This was a spectacular bird table, both in its setting and the number of Red Kites swooping down to feed at the same time.

Although I’d been here numerous times, it was still amazing to see a sky full of wild birds with a wing span of up to 5 feet flying above me.

O bird, you fly in the sky of Infinity

Tell me, is flying your only game?

Tell me, how do you fly in the infinite blue welkin?

My soulful eyes look at you with all admiration,

My heart pines to fly like you.

~Sri Chinmoy~

We’d our sandwiches washed down with hot coffee from the thermos. Babe had the roof down and we ate watching the Red Kites and Buzzards circling above us with their mewing cries echoing around us. It was amazing. It was hard to leave this lovely place but we’ll be back. Then, we made our way down to Aberystwyth. We weren’t surprised to see this Victorian/Edwardian sea-side resort packed with tourists. It was a miracle that we managed to get a parking space outside The Old College, the building that was plastered on the university brochure. Opened as the Castle Hotel in April 1865, it was one of finest examples of the work of Gothic Revival architect John Pollard Seddon (1827-1906).

We walked along the promenade and braced the freezing sea breeze. Oh, how I missed the sea. We scanned the rocks and spotted Cormorants, Gulls and Oyster Catchers feeding among the mudbanks. When we looked up, we had a very good view of  this very chilly naked woman facing the sea, on the margin of the ground once occupied by the Norman castle. As the authors of the recent Pevsner sedately remarked, “ Unexpectedly sensual for a Non-conformist country”.

The memorial was the work of an Italian sculptor, Mario Rutelli, and was erected after the close of war, in 1923.  The angel above was, apparently, the Winged Victory, whilst the powerful nude represents Humanity emerging from the Horrors of War.  The bronze thicket from which she strained to escape was thought to be either seaweed or rifles transmuted back into bushes. Tablets on the plinth commemorate the Aberystwyth dead of WW2, and was the final destination of the Poppy day parade.

We spent the afternoon wandering around the ruins of the castle. Aberystwyth Castle was an Edwardian fortress built during the First Welsh War in the late 13th century. Construction began in 1277 after Edward I's defeat of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. Work was not fully completed until 1289 and it managed to survive two Welsh uprisings. Designed as concentric fortresses, it composed of rings of defences, walls-within-walls, which allowed guards to defend their stronghold from several heights without firing upon their own men. In 1404, Owain Glyndwr seized the crumbling fortress and became an important seat of Welsh government. Within a few years the English regained possession but after 1408, lost its strategic value to the monarchy. During the Civil War, the castle became a victim of Oliver Cromwell's ruthless policy of slighting because the garrison sided with King Charles I.

It was a bit disquieting walking among the ruins, especially when we were aware that a massive monument once stood here. The temperamental Irish sea was only a few metres away and the brisk, freezing winds and splendid views took our breath away. The fortress perseveres and, as one writer quotes, "The tottering remains of this once magnificent and formidable building, constitute a picturesque ruin; and proudly assert their right to the honours of high and respectable antiquity. A pity that the Starlings have returned home. And it was also time we made our way home. But first, a pit stop at a popty (bakery) for some packets of Welsh cakes for my colleagues. After a quick cup of coffee, we were back on the road again. We took the usual route through Machynlleth where pink ribbons for missing April Jones were fluttering solemnly in the breeze. We also saw a Barn Owl quartering a field. Unfortunately, there was no where to park safely. We drove back in silence mesmerised by the Narnia-like landscape. Tall walls of ice on both sides of the road making driving a challenge. After nearly 3 hours, we arrived home safely.

On Saturday, while Babe was recuperating from yesterday’s drive, I took the bus into the city-centre. It began snowing at the bus-stop and I’d the laundry outside!!! When I got off the bus, I saw a sign for a vintage fair at the Priory Place. I followed the signs and was assaulted by some cool 1940/50’s music. A few stalls were up in the freezing cold. I browsed all of them but nothing caught my attention. And they were quite expensive.  Not many people about. I guess because it was still early. I was taking photograph of this water feature when my battery was depleted. Typical…

I walked on the narrow medieval cobbled streets to Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. I wanted to register for a textile workshop but somehow there was a mixed-up in the advertisement. It mentioned that we can register for 2 classes but that wasn’t the case. I just don’t want to spent all my Saturdays. What a pity. I was  walking through Broadgate when I met CC. We chatted for a while and went our separate ways.

I checked out Deichmann and tottered on few heels but didn’t get anything. I went into Primark and I came out with a pair of studded socks, 2 sets of cotton undergarments, an Owl door stopper and an Owl-print shower curtain (I’ve got a thing for owls). Then to Body Shop and bought a foundation. I listened to 2 fantastic buskers on Smithford Way. A British Heart Foundation charity shop had just opened and they have Mickey Mouse and Goofy Dog welcoming the shoppers in. A group of Hare Rama Krishna followers joined in the fun.

I nipped into Superdrug for a serum and another red lipstick. A group of gospel singers was rocking in the Shelton Square. What an amazing and energetic performance. If only I have my camera with me. I slowly made my way to the bus-stop to catch the bus home. But, I had a quick detour into Sainsbury’s for a cold drink, hot chocolate powder and vanilla cheesecake. It began snowing again on the way home.

British Summer Time made a chilly start as the spring freeze continued.

When told the reason for Daylight Saving Time the old Indian said, Only a white man would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket and sew it to the bottom of a blanket and have a longer blanket.

~Unknown~

Plans for traditional Easter egg hunts and family walks had to be put on hold. It was supposed to be a day of fluffy chicks and rebirth. But, hey, what was not to love about Easter? It was a 4 day festival dedicated to chilling out, eating chocolates and watching tv. We braved the elusive spring weather with a trip to our favourite playground. We’d the reserve to ourselves as everyone else stayed away. We saw this adorable Long Tail Tit carrying moss back to its nest. It was nest-building time. The Robins were no where to be seen which was a bit strange. We made our way to the freezing Baldwin Hide. A pair of Great Crested Grebe was checking out the nearby island. I hoped they won’t be nesting there because it was a very vulnerable spot. It was flooded once and then their chicks were eaten by a Heron!!! We spotted a Little Ringed Plover feeding on the main island but it was too far away to be photographed. We went straight home because we were slowly turning into a block of ice.  

On Bank Holiday Monday, we’d another adventure.  We joined the long queues at Wellesbourne before the traffic cleared after the market. Finally, we were on wintery country roads of the the Oxfordshire rolling hills, past frozen fields and hedgerows, ancient grey, stone walls and pockets of snow.  The current bout of icy weather was being blown in from snowy wastes of Scandinavia and Russia. High pressure to the north and east and low pressure down in the Mediterranean had created an easterly flow and brought in the cold.  

We came across historic market towns and charming picturesque villages, in the very heart of rural England, Unlike the rugged mountains of Mid-Wales, the landscape was far softer, with no jagged peaks and not many very steep climbs.  The idyllic stone-built villages were soft brown rather than rugged grey. Since it was a bank holiday, all the towns that we came across were buzzing with tourists. Tourism was a major economy in the Cotswold. 

After driving through the wide main street of the medieval town of Burford, we reached our destination, the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens. We spent a whole day at this wonderful place that it deserved its own posting.

I took Tuesday off to recover from my very egg-citing Easter break. I still have not eaten by Hello Kitty Easter egg. I was keeping it for as long as possible. We went for a slow amble at our favourite playground. From Baldwin Hide, we saw the pair of Great Crested Grebe checking out the island again. Oh please find another nesting site. They were swimming away from the island and suddenly they were in a romantic mood and had a quick quickie in the middle of the lake. Woop…woop :-).

We walked straight to Carlton Hide to see if anything was about. It was very quiet except for this colourful pair of pheasant. We spotted the brown speckled female walking slowly towards the clearing and the handsome male a few steps behind her, stalking her silently. The male has a striking, bronze plumage with a red face wattle. We held our breath and he got lucky. Another woop…woop. Love was definitely in the air.

“And to see ‘mid the growth of all lovely things,

The joyous pheasant unfolds his wings,

And then cower down, as if to screen

His gorgeous purple, gold and green!’

~Mary Howitt~

In our garden, it was nice to see the Blackcap back at the bird-feeder. This handsome grey-brown with black cap guy had established his territory and over-wintered in our garden. But he will be off soon searching for a mate and then fly back to southern Europe or North Africa.

“Under the twigs the Blackcap hangs in vain

With snowy white patch streaked over either eye

This way and that he turns and peeps again”

~John Clare~

It was also goodbye to the Goldcrest, the tiniest, prettiest bird who had graced our garden. It was delightful to see this very tiny and dumpy bird with its bright yellow crown. The colourful golden crest feathers gave rise to its English and scientific names, and possibly to it being called the "king of the birds" in European folklore. I stood less than a metre away watching its acrobatic behaviour. Its high pitched ‘shee-shee’ call could be clearly heard. I’m glad that it survived the cold winter. We were definitely going to miss our feathered friends very much and I hoped they will visit us again.  

It had been a wonderful Easter break. I hoped that it had been the same for everyone else. It was going to take a gargantuan effort to swing my legs out of bed tomorrow when I started work :-).

Oh, how fresh the wind is blowing!

See! The sky is bright and clear,

Oh, how green the grass is growing!

April! April! Are you here?

~Dora R. Goodale (1866-1953)~