Ratty Again

As the forecast was good today - bright and cold, we decided on and early-ish  start to one of our favourite local walks on the moorland fringes to the West of the city. We haven't done this one for a little while, as we have a closer version since moving house. The wind was icy and there was still quite a bit of snow on the North and East facing slopes on higher ground, but as long as you are well wrapped up, it is a delight to be up there. We did a circuit of 3 reservoirs. The highlight of the first part of the walk was a Goldeneye, then later a glittering flock of Lapwings. We then did a shorter, but higher level circuit with some stunning views. It was good to see that the large colony of Water Voles seemed to have weathered the snow and ice of recent weeks - I saw four along the conduit, looking healthy and contented. It's been a little while since I blipped one. This one was nibbling on heather shoots by the waterside. 


“All this he saw, for one moment breathless and intense, vivid on the morning sky; and still, as he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered.” 

― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

We felt we had earned a nice lunch in a nearby pub before arriving home for a nap. Ratty would have approved.