Wednesday 19 November 2014

Nice Weather For Ducks

On Sunday, we went for a walk in Golden Acre Park, a public park in North Leeds covering 55 hectares. We'd had some heavy rainfall the previous couple of days and there were lots of puddles. The ducks didn't seem to mind though.


We started off with a stroll around the lake before setting off through the woodland.


There's lots of pathways to follow so it doesn't get too muddy, even after so much rain.



Golden Acre Park runs alongside two nature reserves, though we stayed in the park on this visit.


I think autumn is giving way to winter now, many of the trees have lost their leaves and the intense autumn colours are fading fast.


It was good to get out and about after being cooped up indoors because of the rain. I try to make the most of any good weather we have at this time of year as it surely can't last much longer.


Archie had been to the groomers on Saturday for a trim. I always get him cut very short underneath as he tends to get leaves, twigs and general woodland debris tangled underneath him otherwise. I thought he might be a little chilly so he wore his coat on Sunday.



We veered off the beaten path and took ourselves in amongst the trees.


There's so many things of interest to be found at this time of year and getting away from paths and areas with heavy footfall increases your chances of finding them.


In among the fallen leaves were all different types of fungi. These red ones are my favourites.


Take a look at what else we came across.







As we made our way out of the park, it was nice to see some roses still flowering.


The hydrangeas have now faded, but they're still a thing of beauty.


Dogwoods (cornus) are known for their vivid winter stem colour. They literally glow.


There's so much to see at this time of year. Let's hope for many more nice days before winter really does set in, it's good to be out and about enjoying nature.

28 comments:

  1. Oh, how lovely Jo. My niece walked in this park about 3 years ago, hoping the walking would make her baby come as she was overdue. We've driven past at times when we've been in UK, but never gone in. Thanks for the tour.
    Take care.

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    1. We love Golden Acre Park, there's so many different aspects to it. I wrote about the gardens there back in June on my other blog:-

      http://jo-thegoodlife.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/garden-visiting-in-june-part-one.html

      http://jo-thegoodlife.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/garden-visiting-in-june-part-two.html

      You must visit when you come to England again.

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  2. Looks like you had a lovely time. We don't seem to have many nice woodlands to walk around here which is a shame as the four paws would love it.

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    1. That's such a shame. Archie loves walking in woods, there seems to be lots of attractive scents for dogs. We're just around the corner from a small wood, and we've got The Lines five minutes away too, not a wood but there's woodland if you turn off it:-

      http://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/lines.html

      We've also got a choice of woods within driving distance.

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  3. You found so many lovely things to see.

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    1. I think there's lots of things to see at this time of year. Some people think that nature is all about spring and summer when flowers are starting to bloom, but I love the bounty which autumn brings.

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  4. Archie looks great in his 'Sunday Best'! The weather has been pretty grim down here in Worcester too. Tom hates being buffeted by all the wind... it always seems to be the wrong direction for his cat flap. Thanks for your kind comments on my recent post. Jx

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    1. Archie doesn't usually wear his coat at this time of year, it's normally worn when snow's on the ground. I thought he might be a little chilly without his long fur to keep him warm. I don't blame Tom, I don't like the wind either.

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  5. Love the photographs, very textural, Archie looks very cozy in his coat. I do agree with you it great to go out and blow the cobwebs away when you can xcx

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    1. I think having a dog makes you get out and you end up feeling better for it, even when the weather isn't so nice. Archie likes his coat, it must keep him nice and warm.

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  6. So many lovely things! I hope that Archie had a nice time too. xx

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    1. Archie loves his walks, especially when we're somewhere he can be let off his lead. He doesn't wander off, but he likes a bit of freedom to hang back for a sniff when he's found a nice scent, but he doesn't let us get too far in front.

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  7. Replies
    1. Thank you. I had fun messing about with my camera.

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  8. Love the dogwood stems; they just look so bright. I tried to grow one once in my garden.... it died, of course.

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    1. They're just stunning at this time of year. I always blame the plant when any of mine die, it can't possibly have been my fault.

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  9. Such a nice place for a walk. You do have a lot of good parks and walking paths near you, I always enjoy seeing them in your posts. Archie looks totally geared up for the weather!

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    1. This is his snow suit, it usually comes out when there's snow on the ground, though he has been known to wear it in the rain too, it does keep him dry. We're very lucky to have so many beautiful parks and some lovely countryside near where we live, we're a bit spoilt for choice.

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  10. Hi Jo, the project pouch is yours, email me your snail mail and I will get it posted off to you. Pam

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    1. Thank you so much, Pam. I shall drop you an email.

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  11. Archie looks adorable in his coat! Give him a special hug from me! :o)

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    1. Will do. He's so funny, he gets so excited when his coat comes out, he enjoys wearing it.

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  12. What a wonderful selection of what I call proper autumnal pictures. Flighty xx

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    1. There's so many things to photograph at the moment. The school nature tables must be heaving with autumn treasures.

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  13. Archie had a fine time on the walk. Getting an occasional trim is a good idea and he looks cozy in his coat. The weather has been so changeable you don't realise how cold it can get after being in a warm house although it's quite mild for November and I actually like our climate and woodland walks at this time of the year.

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    1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's are long haired dogs so I don't like to get him trimmed too short, but it's really uncomfortable for him when he gets things caught in his coat, so we have him trimmed for his own sake every few months. The weather's so mild at the moment, I wonder how much longer it can last for, and if we're going to get a harsh winter.

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  14. How dapper Archie looks. That walk needed sturdy wellies by the looks of it!
    So much in nature to see at this time of year, I think we bloggers are good at noticing all sorts of things. Always good to go and get some fresh air when the rain clouds go, helps wake us up!
    Lisa x

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    1. I bought some walking boots around the time we got Archie and they've been the best things I've ever bought, they're so comfy and keep my feet toasty warm, something which wellies never did, my feet were always freezing in them. I think bloggers do notice the world around them more than most people, always looking for a photo. Blogging has certainly opened my eyes.

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