A very long walk today to Risby park via Cottingham and Skidby. A Pied Wagtail sung from a roof in Cottingham Market square, whilst the Rooks cawed from a nearby tree, brigning sticks for their nests.
A 7 spot ladybird, more signs of spring.
Another Rook on its nest.
Singing Wren.
I got to Skidby Mill at mid morning and stopped for a coffee. The sails were at its base, they were recently brought back from Norfolk, where they were repaired.
I took a small detour around Skidby. Blue skies and broad views from Gallows Hill.
Lesser Celandines flowering everywhere.
A small chalky cliff north of Skidby, probably a chalk quarry.
The track, Oldgate, is sunken and wooded. Fieldfares called from the trees.
Risby Lake and Folly. I have lunch overlooking the lake.
Fieldfare.
This Rabbit was collecting fresh grass for its burrow, probably preparing a nest?
2 comments:
I see that Skidby Mill is still working (when the sails are not being repaired) and produces flour for sale. The bits on the ground seem to be the main spars of the sails, since when fully rigged it has 'patent sails', the kind with movable slats like Venetian blinds that can be opened to partly or wholly 'feather' the sails when the wind is too strong.
Yes, the sails were repaired by a specialist firm in Norfolk. It has taken a while and now they are waiting for ideal weather conditions to fit them. It is a beautiful mill!
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