Oaks

I love the area I live in, or rather that I live nearby. This is closer to where I grew up really, about 20 minutes drive from where I live now. We’re lucky in a way to be as far away from the coast as it’s possible to be in the U.K.

Why? Because it means our oak trees survived the culling that took place closer to the shores, in order to build ships. Although the respect due to our ancient woodlands has of late been criminally disregarded. I’m not going into a rant here, just google HS2 and the destruction of areas of natural beauty and biodiversity caused by a railway that will not serve the country nor advance our rail system. Heart breaking.

Thank god we are not on the route, the idea of that monstrosity tearing up the countryside here is unimaginable.

After my mucking out job I took a little 5 minute detour to Green Door Bakery again, the call of almond croissants and a decent coffee were too strong to ignore! I needed an injection of energy before hitting into the painting again!

Fun fact - When oak trees feel their hospitality to caterpillars is being exploited, they release a pheromone that attracts bluetits, who come to feast on the feasters!

Slightly less fun fact - this year Spring was a bit late. The oak trees came into leaf later than usual and the moths/butterflies that lay their eggs on them also held back until the leaves appeared.

Unfortunately, bluetits are not able to adapt as easily and so they nested and hatched their young at the usual time, despite a natural instinct to incubate eggs when it’s warmer, to coincide with the caterpillars. This has meant that they have struggled to find enough food for their chicks and survival rates have been lower this year. Fingers crossed they will bounce back next year.