This is as close as we've come to a fish, despite another crack at the whole fishing malarkey. I think we might be happier just looking at the pictures right now to be honest. Or maybe that's just me. It's not hugely hospitable down at the canal. I did plant myself on a bench in the sunshine with a book for five blissful minutes, but then it was decided that the fish were further along so I was required to move. I want to do the sort of fishing that takes place in the summer on the riverbank with deckchairs and a picnic that is the sort of thing that Nigel Slater would pack and a good book and something to prop my feet up on. I could get on board with that.
Do you remember I had similar dreams about cricket? My first experience of it was a day-long tournament in horizontal driving rain. I ended up pressed against a hedge trying to keep the rain off my sandwich. This will be the year when all my deckchair related dreams come true, I'm certain of it.
The littlest boy picked me a Lenten rose/hellebore yesterday. I halfheartedly said, "You're not supposed to pick them", but I'm still a sucker for a slightly battered flower proffered by a hot little hand. It's in a jar on the kitchen windowsill now.
The duck is a common eider, a captive one in this case, although they are found around the UK coast where they feed on molluscs. They breed in the Arctic and line their nests with their famous eiderdown for snuggly warm chickies.
It's a pretty heavy duck, but astonishingly it's believed to be the fastest bird in steady flight, flying at up to 47mph. They have quite small wings but incredibly strong wing muscles. We always like to see them at the wetlands place. They make a surprised "Ooh" noise, a bit like Frankie Howerd. I like to imitate them. Don't think they're fooled though.
Anyone know what the fungus is? I've seen it in a couple of places lately. Wishing all a good week and hoping Storm Henry isn't too much of a problem.
You have photographed a type of shelf mushroom, but I have not found the specific variety...maybe Turkey Tail? Interesting! The common eider is so handsome, and doesn't look so common to me. Hoping your deckchair related dreams come true and that Storm Henry is not destructive. xx
ReplyDeleteYou should tell your fisher son that if the river is moving that if he stays in one place the fish will likely wash by his way soon enough.. then you can enjoy your bench longer. :-) And if you pack a lush banquet in a basket that might attract him to stay in one spot, too. Yep, shelf mushroom it is. I have them here too. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a Frankie Howard duck! All ducks do seem to fly faster than you expect - it's often the landing that's a little problematic though. It's not quite so graceful and we've had quite a few that crash land in the garden and then go around limping for a while. A riverside picnic with maybe a bit of crochet or knitting sounds just the thing. I should invest in a small, portable deckchair! Happy February. xx
ReplyDeleteI'd call that Bracket Fungi, but when I looked up 'Bracket' and then 'Shelf' Fungi UK the same images came up on Google.
ReplyDeleteMy son wanted to fish when he was 12 (40 now), when he caught his first fish he was delighted but wanted me to take the hook out of its mouth - it was one of the most horrible things I've ever had to do - then we had to throw the thing back as it was too small. It put us both off.
I'm liking the sound of deckchairs and picnics - maybe you should take a folding chair, book/crochet and picnic food on the fishing trips in any case. The eider duck is a rather striking fellow, and his call sounds hilarious. I love those old Observer books and the colour plates are beautiful. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteCathy x
My first boyfriend liked to fish. Top tip: get a hand warmer. No doubt there's a high tech version these days but then it was a piece of smouldering charcoal or some such in a tin box. Even so, the relationship didn't last.
ReplyDeleteOh, you need one of those portable folding camp chairs, a child size one would do and easier to sling over your shoulder. I bought a red one when my daughter and I used to spend every afternoon after school by the side of a muddy pitch and we used to curl up together with a flask of tea and a story. You know what football is like for under- eights! The same chair now goes to festivals so think of it as an investment piece! Isn't it shocking how expensive the Observer Guides are now. I saw one on early English churches yesterday which I would have liked but it was £8 so I resisted! On the other hand your hellebore shot is irresistible. Have a good week CJ.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting, and informative, post and lovely pictures. Thanks, and you too. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy that there's no fish if I were you, when they catch them you're expected to deal with them..........
ReplyDeleteI will never be able to hear an eider duck without thinking Frankie Howerd now. And how do you get an eiderdown? (all together now...... with a ladder!)
ReplyDeleteI think you've got a true fishing fanatic on your hands. They are the ones that never give up, even if they haven't caught anything in several years (my youngest daughter is like this). Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, small hands full of squashed nearly stemless flowers, can't beat that. Have a wonderful week CJ. xx
ReplyDeleteA Frankie Howard duck - what fun! I'd rather like Nigel Slater as a neighbour you know I would be more than happy to hoover up any left over food that he may have going. I always thought fishing to be a relaxing hobby, I'm not allowed to go with Mike - the piles of books, yarn & a bottle of wine with a string round its neck seems to put him off. A squished flower from a little boys hand is a treasure indeed x
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame you're not allowed to go fishing, you have absolutely the right idea about it I think. I'd like to live next door to Nigel Slater as well. I would pass him excess vegetables over the fence and we would be the very best of friends. CJ xx
DeleteThat's a beautiful hellebore, CJ. And all the more lovely for being presented to you by a hot little hand. I am not a fan of fishing but I do like pottering about by the river. Here's hoping all your deckchair dreams come true. Have a good week. Sam x PS Eider ducks make my favourite bird sound.
ReplyDeleteThe hellebore is lovely. When I was a primary school teacher I did a lot about not picking wild flowers but I always felt a little sad about it. I know they shouldn't be hoovered up by people but an occasional wild flower is a lovely gift.
ReplyDeleteNever got into fishing. I had a boyfriend who was mad on it. It always seemed to be raining when he went fishing. I only went once and it didn't end well. I am hoping you get your sunshine, deckchair and picnic experience....
Hoping your deckchair dreams come to pass later in the year. A Nigel Slater picnic - ah yes!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shame that your son took by angling at the end of the summer. It must have been cold waiting for the fish! My husband reads local fishing blogs that tell him what is being caught in the area. There was a blog that is no longer updated but may be of interest http://www.bristolangling.com/blog. | know it is mainly covering Bristol but there was some info on surrounding areas. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, thanks for that Sarah, I'll have a look. CJ xx
DeleteHaving spent time standing on the edge of a rugby pitch in days gone past I understand! Although I am glad that it wasn't fishing, at least there was something to watch. Hope that a good spot is soon found, for fishing and for sitting! xx
ReplyDeleteYes, I think rugby is definitely more exciting! Although of course the moment we actually catch a fish will be quite something. I've heard that pike are absolutely ferocious and will bite you to ribbons. Can't wait... CJ xx
DeleteI don't envy you waiting on the canal bank in January while your son is waiting to get that elusive fish and I don't envy you the cricket either, having spent much of my childhood weekends watching the Dad play cricket and being bored out of my mind. However, duck watching is another matter, do I recognise Slimbridge? I do love to watch ducks and your eider is beautiful (each to their own I suppose)! xx
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteThe things we do. I spent yesterday afternoon being whipped by lengths of seaweed by Olly and his friend. They thought it hilarious. I fell out of love with it rather sooner.You need one of those fishing tents that I see dotted along Bussoe lake. You could get up to all sorts in there.
Leanne xx
Lovely flower photos dear C.J. especially the hellebore. When I was a girl I used to go fishing with my Dad, I enjoyed his company but found the fishing too boring.
ReplyDeleteHappy week
xoxoxo ♡
Beautiful place! Ohh the ducks are wonderful. Wish I had a chance to be so close to them. I would love to hear you imitate them, I bet you do a good job. I try to imitate our cats here but somehow I am not fluent in their language yet. Not sure what type of fungus are those in the tree but they sure make for a pretty picture. My husband loves to go fishing and lately I hear that he wants to start ice fishing. Oh dear, I worry about that. I like to eat fish but do not like to go fishing. Beautiful flowers. We are still with lots of snow and no flowers yet. Have a great week!!
ReplyDeleteI have no clue about the fungus but I love the ducks and floral shots! :)
ReplyDeleteI have no clue about the fungus but I love the ducks and floral shots! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen the eider ducks are all chorusing together it is quite funny experience isn't it? I've seen lots of those fungus too but have no idea what they are called but they are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteTurkey tail? (the fungus, not a new and inventive nickname). I have been fly fishing (I may have said this before) and while I enjoyed the experience as something new, I did not repeat it :o) Love the eider. I know seabirds have migratory patterns that involved non-stop flying over large stretches of water for several days, perhaps this is why the eiders have stronger wing muscles and fly faster? I would like to hear the 'ooh!' xx
ReplyDeleteI can't help with the fungus but it's beautiful, as is the fish drawing in the last photo. Enjoy the rest of your week. Jane xx
ReplyDeleteI remember the holiday John got into fishing. Nightmare. I did all the bloody childcare. I suspect being a fishing mother is no more fun than being a fishing wife, but I sincerely hope that I'm proved wrong and all your deckchair dreams come true this summer. Xx
ReplyDeleteI have so many dreams of me sitting by the water with my feet up knitting, not happening soon in my life that is for sure. Summer is coming, I think this is your year!
ReplyDeleteMeredith
I think being a fishing mother is probably a lot like being any other sport's mother - relatively uncomfortable for the mother. Like Gillian, I will be hoping for your summer of deckchair relaxation, culminating in that perfect bronze tan. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat captures in this post CJ - Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteLove the hellebore picked by your son! And I hear you on the fishing bit…works so lovely when incorporated with a picnic and warm weather! Wishing you luck on the fungus! Beautiful photos and a lovely week to you!! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteYou are one hell of a mother...brr! I will however be quite envious when you are sat in the sunshine, book in hand, watching the river float by! ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteYou are a great mother and are rewarded with beautiful flowers, I am hoping we have the beautiful summer of your dreams.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bracket fungus - see this website for a great list of the different types of tree decay fungi :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.greenmanconservation.co.uk/Tree_Decay_Fungi.htm