River Aire

Lots of water coming over the weir on the River Aire today as Helen and I set out for a sunny (hooray!) walk up to Shipley Glen and along, then a very soggy climb and descent of Baildon Moor and back to Saltaire and the car at Hirst Wood.  We certainly got the best of the day although it was parky perched on a rock on the Moor having our cuppa and cake stop.

Before we drove home, we discovered the delights of the Hirst Wood Nature Reserve which has been reclaimed from a field left to go wild for sixty years.  We spoke with two of the volunteers digging a drainage ditch and they told us they rented the land for a £1 a year from the Council (well done the Council!) and received a £25 000 grant from Biffa (even more well done Biffa folks!).  It's obviously a project in development but it's a gem of a place with wetland and a pond, fruit trees and spring bulbs and bug hotels.  There is a beautifully woven hide and a willow arch and lots of other goodies.  Locals do drop by if you are down that way.

In other news, Tony has just ventured out for a short walk the first time since Saturday, thank you for all the good wishes for his recovery.



Thank you Helen for another great walk & talk!