Thursday, 12 July 2012

Struggling with overgrown footpaths...............................................................

I was out very early a couple of weeks ago to do a walk I hadn't done for a couple of years.
The day had started brightly but it wasn't long before the rain clouds moved in.

It was a struggle right from the start... this field was planted with Oilseed Rape.

Almost impossible to walk through which was a bit a problem as....

... the public right of way was overgrown with Stinging nettles... rather painful.

I spotted this little Whitethroat on the rapeseed and managed to get this (cropped) record shot.

I eventually reached the bridge that crosses the main Birmingham to Liverpool railway line.

The path on the other side was thankfully clear (it links up to a more popular route).

Looking back towards the railway bridge... a bit of an eyesore amid the lovely countryside.

 My stroll was fine after the initial struggle but as on most days this summer ended with rain.

Other paths had different reasons to stay away from.


28 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i'd imagine a lot of areas are overgrown with all the rains you've had.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

where is the bull? should we be scared?!! ha. ha!! (:

metanoia said...

lovely photos :) love the one at the railroad

Shaun said...

I wouldnt fancy my chances going any further than that sign. I bet those overgrown paths are a haven for wildlife
Shaun
July Giveaway @ ValleysshutterBug

Black Jack's Carol said...

Hi Andrew,

It looks like you and I have similar lifestyles. I'm also out and about with my camera always at the ready. I think I would have been discouraged with the stinging nettles but you did well with your Whitethroat capture. We had a lot of rain here as well, but now, summer has finally arrived. I checked out Findlay's blog and left him a comment. i agree that young people like him are a sign of hope for the future of our green spaces and wildlife.

Findlay Wilde said...

Hope you didn't get nettled

Kim, USA said...

Awesome greenery and the sign is worth watching for. ^_^

Kim,USA

Steffi said...

Very beautiful photos for SWF!

Sylvia K said...

Great captures, Andrew! Your skies look like ours in Seattle much of the time! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Unknown said...

Great walk and that sign is great!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Susan said...

Stinging nettles. Fell in that stuff more than once. It's awful!

Diana said...

Your photos are wonderful! I joined your blog and look forward to seeing more :)

grammie g said...

Hi Andrew...It must be a bit discouraging all the rain..hope it is not hurting your garden!!
That was a challenge for the first time walking for awhile..looks like you plowed through it instead!: }
All looks lush and green,perhaps the bull would have been busy eating fresh grass...I wouldn't have gone there either!!
Thanks for your lovely comment on my post!
Gracexx

Gillian Olson said...

Nice pictures, love the little bird; between the stinging nettles and the dangerous animals that sounds like a more challenging than rewarding walk.

Anonymous said...

Love all that green growth! I'd be happy to take some of that rain~even the nettles here are dying from drought.

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

It is an election year here in the States. We could surely use that sign in your final photo.

Bob Bushell said...

That walk must have been a precious one, alas the stinging nettles, not good.

Brian King said...

You are welcome to send some of that rain this way! You have much more overgrown green stuff than we do. Congrats on the Whitethroat!

Liz said...

Beautiful photos. Happy sky watching.

My Sky.

Nancy said...

The foxglove are so lovely Andrew -- Thank you for sharing at Rural Thursdays this week.

Anonymous said...

Don't you worry about snakes, or do you have them there?

Pantherka said...

Andrew, beautiful photos and nettles, I understand you completely ...
Greetings.

Inger-M said...

Oh, the struggles we endure to get the photos we want, LOL! Great post!

Kathy Bradshaw said...

I have been enjoying your photos so much, country girl at heart here. I found you through the hop, come over for a visit sometime. Your always Welcome, KathyB.
http://www.southernmadeintheshade.blogspot.com

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I love going on walks with you! Thanks for sharing....I just took a picture of that tall purple flower in our daughter's backyard here in Oregon... obviously it must like rainy places..

Stewart M said...

Nice walk - I think you are doing a public service by walking the paths!

Stewart M

Magia da Inês said...

Mesmo assim a paisagem é muito bonita!
Amei as fotografias.

¸❤✿•.¸
♥ Bom fim de semana!
♡ Beijinhos.
Brasil

Carole M. said...

always interesting to walk your walks with you Drew; a little akin to armchair-travel I guess, but even better. So many parts of the world we wouldn't know about only for our cyber-buddies willing to share via their blogs like you do