Sunday 2 February 2014

The colour of winter


Farewell to January, hello February.  It looks much the same to me, but I'm happy, whatever the weather.  An excuse not to go out quite so much, to stay in and enjoy playing games and reading with the little people, well, it can't be bad.

We did get out a bit this weekend.  On Saturday we went to the Festival of Birds at Slimbridge.  There were various bird related activities, as well as talks, stalls and lots of wardens in the hides to explain what was to be seen.  The biggest boy had a whale of a time dissecting an owl pellet.  The middle boy made a nesting box, and the very kind man on the stall let the other two make one for free as well, when he heard me telling them that we could only afford to have one.  Such kindness.


You've no idea how thrilled three small boys were to get the chance to wield power tools.  Now I just need to shin up a ladder and fix one of them to the garage.

Today was Sunday.  The day that people like to get up slowly, to the smell of coffee and freshly baked rolls.  I wandered down to the kitchen to find the contents of an owl pellet spread all over the counter.  The biggest boy had been going through everything the owl had coughed up and washing it and laying it out neatly to dry.  Oh well, I don't drink coffee anyway.  And the owl pellet contents were actually quite fascinating.


Not a great photo, but you can see skulls and teeth and long bones (legs) and things.  I shall look out for pellets more when we're out and about now.  I had a quick squirt round the kitchen and over the biggest boy with some disinfectant before making the breakfast.

This afternoon we went and looked at the sea.  Such beautiful winter colours.






The sandbags were out, ready for high tide.  People have been surfing several miles upstream on the Severn Bore, the big wave that runs up the river a few times every year.  It's caused by the shape and size of the estuary; the big tides are funnelled up an ever-decreasing width of river, and at a certain point the flow of water turns into a wave.  Surfing and kayaking it is always popular, and with all of the extra flood water big things were expected.  In the event the flood water swallowed the bore and it was a bit disappointing.  Maybe we'll go and watch it one day, when it's safer.

A busy week lies ahead, as ever.  I'm focusing on inside things at the moment.  Putting the house in order.  Cooking good things.  Spending time with the little people.  Soon enough it will be time for going outside.  In the meantime I'm enjoying this winter.  I love the low light, the damp, chilly days that make it so good to come home and the beautiful muted colours.  I'm happy for it to continue a few weeks more.

28 comments:

  1. That was so generous of the man in the birdhouse stall. Kind people are everywhere. I am FASCINATED by owl pellets so I would have loved having one dismantled in my house too. Really neat. Thanks for sharing. I hope the flooding isn't too detrimental. Stay warm and dry, my friend.

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  2. That first photo looks so familiar! You sound to be making the most of the weather though. Isn't it a great idea to get children to make nesting boxes? Your boys will be so pleased if the boxes are used in the spring... you will keep us updated on nesting progress, won't you?

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  3. I love your photos of the sea. It was brighter here today, but we didn't make it out, which was a shame. I fear we have missed our chance!

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  4. I admire your approach to winter, making the best of it. I just find it so endlessly depressing. However, I have persuaded Mike that a trip to Slimbridge is what we need... next dry day.

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  5. Spending time with little people is the best part of life!
    I love that you said read with them, I'm such a reading advocate these days, I totally love when children are interested in reading!
    Your pictures are lovely... I'm sorry I don't always quickly reply, but working full time and being a single mom doesn't always give me very much time.
    Please know I appreciate every time you visit and I love your positive blog!
    Much love to you,
    Tammy

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  6. I had no idea what an owl pellet was, but I do now! You obviously have a budding naturalist on your hands. :)

    Such beautiful photos ... the clouds reflected in water was my favourite.

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  7. Looks like the owl had a few good meals! ;-)

    I love the first picture of your rainy window! The muted colors are beautiful!

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  8. You always have such beautiful photographs! The view of the water is just lovely. Hope you have a wonderful start to your week enjoying this season:)

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  9. I agree...I am enjoying staying in and cozying up by the fire with the beans. The warm weather will be at the door soon enough...and like you I am just enjoying this time! I love that the man at the festival let all of your boys make a nesting box! So wonderful! And your pictures of the water...oh my goodness...so beautiful friend!!! A very happy week to you! Nicole xoxo

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  10. Lovely photos. You have a great, positive approach to the rainy, grey days! I try to be like that - and I too like indoor stuff - but it does get me down at times. I want to be in the garden! Have a good week. X

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  11. I love winter me too, I find beauty in all these wintry sceneries you are showing us.Without winter we couldn't appreciate spring and summer. So, I have fully enjoyed your pictures and stories...
    Happy New week!

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  12. You are obviously a very optimistic person, while I'm moaning about the greyness you are enjoying the fact that it keeps you indoors with your little ones. I love that and will try and think like you! Julie x

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  13. Beautiful pictures! I also love very much winter, but I mind when it is raining and don't like it at all... Your week sounds busy but also rather yummy. Have fun.

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  14. Dissecting owl pellets was something I used to have my class doing when I was teaching. Then one day a boy brought is a bag of 'stuff'' to dissect, I opened the bag to find it full of bulls' eyes!

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  15. Beautiful shot of the water; stunning! Not so enamoured with the owl pellets but I can see how they would fascinate little ones - I shall look forward to it in years to come! xx

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  16. It's fascinating seeing all those bones and teeth coughed up in an owl pellet, the boys must have been thrilled with their treasures. I hope you get some visitors to your bird houses, I've had one up for a few years and still haven't had any takers, I really need to move it to see if it makes a difference.

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  17. I agree CJ - I am still enjoying my winter time inside. No desire to rush it. In fact we just got a fresh dusting of snow over night and I am glad! Your boys and their birds - I think it is just fantastic how they are so interested in a hobby where they can learn so much. And that they take it upon themselves to do these activities, even if they are a bit gross! Are you and your husband avid birders?

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  18. I have dissected owl pellets with my older kids and we tried to identify the species of rodents the owl ate. Very fascinating indeed. Enjoy your week, it sounds like a good one. Cx

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  19. An enjoyable post and good photos. It's good to know that someone is happy whatever the weather. Flighty xx

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  20. You are so lucky to be so close to the sea to go often! We're about two hours away from our ocean. I might need a day trip there soon! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  21. Those are fantastic images of the sea! I hope high tide wasn't as bad as they anticipated. It must have been fun for the boys making the bird house. I still remember dissecting an owls pellet as a child! Sarah x

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  22. Your photos of the sea are beautiful, a lovely way to spend an afternoon and get a bit of fresh air.
    I did smile to see the disected owl pellet on the kitchen worktop, I bet it was interesting though - what would we do without disinfectant spray?!

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  23. Hi, my first visit but I had to comment - beautiful photos and I have to admit to being quite excited by the owl pellet! I've been looking (in vain) for one to do the same with my boy, but no luck yet, will keep looking now : ) Also share your love of Slimbridge : )
    Sian from Beetlebirdhare

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  24. The Festival of Birds at Slimbridge sounds very interesting. I would be fascinated by the contents of the owl pellets too, I always have a good look at any here!
    I imagine the river has been quite awesome recently, even if the bore was a bit disappointing on this occasion.

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  25. Hey CJ,

    I had to laugh at the little bones in your kitchen. What an inquisitive boy you have there! Brilliant. And your pictures of the sea are just divine. I don't think I could ever live any great distance from the sea. It's a great mood leveller. When I was little I thought that the Severn Bore was a huge pig...

    Have a great hunkering down week, CJ.

    Leanne xx

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  26. cosying up inside when the weather is foul outside is one of my favourite things x enjoy it x

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  27. Oh my that second picture down of the sea, absolutely gorgeous !! I would print that out and hang it somewhere :)

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  28. We saw the Severn Bore on the television - though I'd love to see it for real one day.

    Take care and I hope you're all safe

    Nina x

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