Wetlands (and some more woods)

Last week, in the not-quite-real time between the start of the new year and the return to work, I met a friend at Idle Valley nature reserve. 

We've met there before, as it's roughly half way between my house and his. There are lakes, and a lot of birds, and (most importantly) a cafe. 

On this day it was rather soggy, and we waited for a while in the cafe for the rain to ease off. They have several pairs of binoculars and a telescope that you can try out, and we had a jolly time watching the flocks of birds rise from the lake then drop back down, then rise and circle each other in an elaborate dance. 

Eventually the rain eased enough for us to brave a walk around the lake. 

Wandering round the reserve, I was reminded of my intention to visit all the nature reserves run by my local Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust. I'd finally made it to number eight back in October, but there were still four to go. I'd very much like to visit them all before we move miles away into the countryside with other exciting places to explore. 

So when the sun shone last weekend, I took myself off to Greno Woods - reserve number nine on my list. 

It was rather nippy, and also gave me a nice excuse to wear my wellies, which don't get nearly as much use as I'd like. 

The sun shone through the trees and picked out the vivid green of the holly. It was quite magical. 

I wasn't really following a footpath, just wandering about wherever my fancy took me, and eventually I found myself out of the woods.

I sat for a while on a bench looking at the view, and would have sat for longer, but it was so cold I feared I might seize up if I stayed still for too long, so back into the woods I went. 

After a couple of hours of wandering, I was rather peckish and in need of lunch. Sadly, having paid no attention to which direction I was going in, I was thoroughly lost, and it took rather a lot more wandering to find myself again, by which time I was quite chilly and a teensy bit grumpy. 

I did make it home eventually though, to a well deserved bowl of soup. 

Just three reserves left to go now (I think). I might just make it before we go after all...