February 2025

Sunday February 2nd Harry and Charlotte visit with Belle, walking in and past the Sandbeds.

Tuesday February 4th. A walk to the Monarch’s Way, discovering a path for a new circuit. So many Snowdrops and love the bare trees on the horizon lining the fields.

Thursday February 6th. Birthday walk on frosted paths in bright sunshine, loving the change of light as the year moves forward. Songs of Dunnock, Mistle Thrush and Robin fill the air and the ducks and moorhen, as ever, enjoy their breakfast of kibble! Later visit a new Italian restaurant for my birthday lunch.

Thursday February 13th. At Belvide, see a Song Thrush (we heard the first one sing earlier this week on Sparrow Nest Lane) and there are Wigeon, Pochard, Lapwing and Goldeneye on the reservoir.

Friday February 14th. Visit a new reserve, alongside the Worcester-Staffordshire canal. Good paths, nice canal, worth a second trip. And a great retro railway coffee shop!

Monday February 17th. Our second long walk downs the Monarch’s Way, enjoying brighter weather, snowdrops and silhouetted trees. More SongThrush singing.

Tuesday February 18th. The White Ladies Priory walk, extended along the Monarch’s Way past a derelict farm to Offoxey Road and back. Bright sunny day but still cold.

Wednesday February 19th. Great night at Villa Park watching a 2-2 draw against Liverpool!

Thursday 20th February. A new walk in Bishop’s Wood, trying again to find Black Ladies Priory. Brilliantly sunny day, skylarks singing above open fields.

Tuesday February 25th. Belvide on a sunny day walking to the far hide, lots of birds singing and pheasants feeding, enjoying our corn.

Wednesday February 26th. A nostalgic return to my childhood, walking from Corn Mill Close to Barnes Hill, to Stonehouse Lane and arriving at Paganel Road School. Return via Alwold Road, viewing the ruins of Weoley Castle, before seeing WCWMC and then Senelleys Park and the making of football pitches where I used to play as a child.