These Boots....: October 2013

08/10/2013

The Free Range Egg Walk

Just a stroll really, less than 5 miles, through the neighbouring villages of Stank and Newton. Stank is little more than a hamlet, with a working farm occupying most of the buildings. Stank Farm is where I like to buy my free range eggs, hence the post title!

Zwartbles sheep at Stank Farm

Quick stop off for my eggs...

This week there was also a box of Bramley apples for sale, picked from this nearby orchard. Had to have some of those, of course!

The lovely stone barns at Stank Farm.

A little further up Stank Lane is the house originally built for Stank Pit mine manager.

Behind that is the former mine engineer's house.

Stank Haematite Mine was operational between about 1870 and 1900, when the local iron and steelwork industries were booming.

The remains of the Pump house and Engine house can also be seen nearby.

As you follow the lane you pass between sandstone remains of bridges over which Furness Railway transported the mined ore to Barrow,for export and later for smelting at the local iron and steelworks.

On leaving Stank, the lane climbs steeply between berry laden hedgerows before dropping down into the village of Newton.

The lane skirts along the edge of the village, passing farms and stables before the turn off to Furness Abbey is reached.

Wild hops were threading their way through the hedges at the edge of the lane.

When I was a child we called these flowers Woodbine and were ordered never to touch them, as they were poisonous. Now they are known as Morning Glory, amongst other names; presumably they are just as toxic despite the name change.

Heading down towards Furness Abbey there are numerous ancient tree stumps which seem to be competing as to which one can grow the most fungi.

Horse Chestnuts (Conkers) litter the ground near one of my favourite places - Bow Bridge.

As always I hope you've enjoyed the photos, thanks for visiting!

07/10/2013

Autumn at Leighton Moss RSPB Nature Reserve

The RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, Silverdale, is the largest reedbed in North West England. As well as many other birds it is home to the elusive Bittern.
There are several large hides from which to "twitch". If you're lucky you may spot Otters, Red Deer and Marsh Harriers, to name but a few.
When I was there last week I could hear Red Deer bellowing in the reedbeds, as this is the rutting season. This year it will be home to the BBC's Autumnwatch series. No doubt they will spot much more wildlife than I did!