A Slightly Muddy Walk

I spent sometime this morning sorting out a problem with someone in Europe buying something from me on eBay.  I needed some help and moral support from Eldest Daughter, who talked me through it, bless her, though I did need to go into the bowels of eBay to find out a link to speak to a Live Person there.  

So I got rather stressed out first thing (still stressed out when we went into town for more Birdseed and some groceries) and I was stressed again after I HAD sorted it out, but further from the panic attack I nearly had earlier on.  The sun was coming out, so although I felt devoid of energy, I decided I would go out for a walk and relax a bit.

Normally I would be walking along the lane to the right of the trashed hedge.  But I decided to go and see the state of play across the equally trashed fields which belong to a neighbour not known for his sympathetic approach to wildlife and nature.

I walked along through the trees beside the river, which was higher than normal due to recent rain, but still at fairly ordinary levels.  No Kingfishers about today, sadly.

These two little streams enter the river a field back from our bridge.

The Hazels were still covered in catkins on the far bank.

Ahead - an area which had been badly trashed a couple of years back but is mending now - I will spare you the image of the large pile of half-burnt tree-trunks from THAT work.

Looking through the trees to a hillside where once a small cottage once stood - only 1/2 a brick remains where a home once was.

Above, looking upstream, and below - there is a large outcrop of rock in the river here, which catches passing trees and branches when the river's in spate.

A beautiful tree at the river's edge, with an abandoned field behind it.

More destruction of habitat.  This used to be a picnic site, years ago, when there were walks through here.  Now it has been trashed - there's no other word for it.  BIG mature trees taken out and left as stumps.  What's the point?

A cascade of catkins.

Finally, once I was on the lane again, the sunlight shining through these daffs made them glow.