Thursday 14 December 2017

Ryton Pools on a winter's day



It was a cold, cold day when we visited Ryton Pools last week.




Our first encounter was with this gorgeous cart horse.




Lots of ducks in the first large pool we came across





while the sun was trying to emerge behind the clouds




dustings of snow on the path




we circled the lake and then turned left - we had this brook on our left




the water was frozen






and the reflections delightful








We continued on our way




 the sky was magnificent.




Across the brook, the sand martin wall which provides over 75 individual nesting compartments that mimic sand martins' natural nest sites.




We reached the hide and went inside. Parts of the lake were frozen









The ducks were there, avoiding the frozen parts.




We left the hide and





took this newly-created path




that runs alongside the other side of the lake.




Gorgeous winter colours




at the end of the path,




this magnificent, modernist farm house, the house of my dreams. I want this house.




We retraced our steps and walked along the main path




reached a smaller pool




and then, a skeleton




a parrot,




skull and crossbones,




a clue - cursed coin trail




an embossing press on top of this barrel




barrels and a cannon




 another clue - beware of pirates



 
a large tombstone rock covered in blood and wrapped with chains




barrels, a chest, a cannon




a cat, a rat




nets, baskets and fish




the prow of a ship




a mast







and when we reached the end of the path and turned around, the mystery was solved - The Cursed Coin Trail. What a wonderful activity to organise for kids.





Before heading back for home we stopped at the shop. On the nature table, some more surprises




rabbit skulls




robin's nests





the skulls of badgers




of doe deer




and of foxes.

What a wondrous place.


No comments:

Post a Comment