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August 7th ...

Don't forget the Big Butterfly Count and my garden blog giveaway, both end on Sunday.

Look right, over there, up the top! The links are on my sidebar.

I'll be picking out a giveaway winner at 6 pm, so good luck!

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flowers for Mum ...

We took flowers for Mum up to the crematorium yesterday - a lovely small Spring bouquet with narcissi, tulips, iris and gerbera.

I usually like to take a pot of bulbs as they last longer, but nothing suitable to pick up Saturday after work.

As we were walking up the hill to her plot, we expected this pheasant to fly away.

But instead it started to walk towards us, and started pecking around right in front of our feet!

It was so funny to watch, and so tame?

Maybe someone is feeding him up for Christmas!

Then thinking I wonder if the resident cat's around, looking to my left there it is walking over towards us.

It's a lovely black 'n white cat, who I get to see on most visits.

I know he's being (well) fed, as I've seen a cat loving couple giving him cat crunchies!

We always come up early, to take photos and have a little look around.

At this time of year there are thousands of daffodils in bloom, and many trees in blossom.

The weather was misty first thing with sunshine eventually breaking through.

The cat was liking the sunshine too, and lots of attention!

o

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please be(e) happy ...

I hope these sunflowers bring sunshine to your day, as much as they did to mine.



No, this field of sunflowers isn't in France or Italy, it's on farmland at Michelgrove in West Sussex.



We came upon them unexpectedly whilst on a bike ride which started from Ford, ending up back home in Lancing, along a stretch of the Monarch's Way between Arundel and Findon.



Not knowing whether grown for commercial purpose or as good countryside practice, these sunflowers in all shapes and sizes, for now, are making the bees buzz themselves happy.



If only the faces you came across in life could be as cheery as these.

There are some right miserable people around, I can tell you!



Michelgrove is an area just north of the exit from woodland off the Angmering Park estate, an area for forestry, shooting, agriculture and wildlife.

If you love to be outdoors, and you're ever in the West Sussex area, try and make time to visit. There are lots of footpaths and bridleways to enjoy, woods and country paths and lanes to explore.

You may even get to see the big cat!



I wasn't the only one very reluctant to leave the sunflowers behind.

I may just be able to get back in a month or so, to check out if the birds are having such a great time as me and this bee was.

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Would a little something sent to you through the post make you feel great?

Keep those comments coming in for my 300th post giveaway below.

I have already had some really funny suggestions as to what is keeping that lid from shutting on the cat's hamper!

o

photos - BBC Iplayer website

little penguins ...

Have you been watching Penguin Island, a series on BBC One following a breeding pair of little (fairy) penguins Bluey and Sheila, and their two offspring?

They all live on Phillip Island, off the south coast of Australia.

I have been sat glued watching, 'cos at the beginning of this year, on our road trip between Sydney and Adelaide, we had the once in a lifetime opportunity to see these little penguins for real, staying within walking distance of their colony.

At the time, really not wanting to leave them behind, it is so lovely to see them again.



These little darlings, you can't help but love em!

There really is something about this little bird's character that makes me grin from ear to ear, every time I see one.

Well that's another one ticked off those 1001 things I must do before I die!

o

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a walk down to Amberley Wildbrooks ...

A lovely way to spend time on a Bank Holiday.

Early morning, we start off at Greatham Bridge, and from the car park walk across to the other side of the river to take the Wey South path, which runs through the middle of the brooks.

At this time of year, and at this hour of the day, walking through the long undergrowth means wet walking shoes and soggy trouser bottoms! Thankfully soon drying out once the sun came up.
o
Greatham Bridge was built by Sir Henry Tregoz in the early 14th century, of where a skirmish took place during the English Civil War.



Stepping over a two-step stile, of which there are quite a few to negotiate along the way.

How about this for a romantic snippet taken from an old countryside book, which I picked up from a boot sale recently - upon the steps of these stiles, country folk meet to take their lovers' vows at ease and to do their courting.



Walking briskly past a crop of ripening maize.

A field of screams! These fields always remind me of scary movies.



Screaching to a standstill, hanging over the fence, to say hello to these two beautiful horses. The lovely white one set me off humming out loud! Remember this?



At this point rather fancying a sit down. A beautifully crafted seat on an implement from farming days gone by. I'd imagine it's seen a few numb bums in its time!



Standing here we question why we travel for miles, when we have beautiful countryside like this on our doorstep?



Walking on, whoops! Taking great care with every forward step!



We come across this lovely old tree stump and encounter lots of wildlife along the way.

In the air, three kestrels being lifted on the wind, and a flight of swallows. On the ground, grasshoppers, pheasants and three galloping deer. In between, whitethroats in a tree, red admiral and small white butterflies on a buddleia bush, dragonflies, blue damselflies, and a huge hornet!

Beware, the ground in places is very boggy and slippery underfoot.

These brooks remind me of days growing up on a farm. Disappearing for hours, on a summers day, with brother and mates, quite happy to make our own amusement, no doubt causing Mum much angst, wondering where on earth we were, and what we were getting up to!



There being a slight breeze it was difficult to get a photo of the lovely wildflowers amidst the grasses. I managed this one.

Out of shot, three white swans are busy preening alongside the grassy banks of the River Arun, which flows into the English Channel at Littlehampton.

o

As we return to the car, a beautiful black swan cruises gracefully through the water close to the bridge.

o

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plan bee ...

Bees will travel a long distance from their nest to find pollen and nectar. Some bees dance, in a figure of eight, to spread the word of a juicy source! Plant Michaelmas Daisies in your garden and you will have bees buzzing with excitement on a sunny day.

Bees are nature's number one pollinator, but they're on the decline. That's why the Co-operative have launched Plan Bee. If you want to find out how you can do more for bees, click on the link.

It's busy being a bee! How about giving them a well-deserved boost with an energy drink. Mix two tablespoons of white granulated sugar with a tablespoon of water in an eggcup, and then place amongst a bee-friendly flower.

Please do not give them brown sugar, honey, Red Bull or Lucazade!

o