Friday 15 May 2020

Archie's Birthday

It was Archie's 10th birthday on Wednesday and it started off as all birthdays should, with presents.


Archie's always keen to unwrap his gifts, he knows that they mostly contain edible goodies and he's such a greedy boy. He wasn't disappointed, the things we chose for him were met with his approval.


Wednesday was the day when lockdown restrictions were eased in England, we're now able to exercise outdoors as often as we want and we're able to travel in a car in order to exercise too. With this in mind, Leeds City Council have reopened the car parks in the parks in and around Leeds, which meant we were able to visit Lotherton for the first time in nearly eight weeks. Archie was pleased with his birthday outing, Lotherton is his favourite place.


I thought it would be busier than it was, there weren't very many people there at all, though nothing's open, just the grounds. The playground is closed and the play equipment is taped off. The cafe and shops are closed and so is the house. None of that matters to Archie though, he just loves a stroll through the woods.


It's such a lovely time of year with so much in bloom. The wild garlic is in abundance right now, the woodland floor is carpeted with pretty white flowers.


We passed through the orchard. A couple of weeks ago it would have been so pretty with all the blossom on the trees. I feel we've missed out on so many things this year being confined to our own neighbourhoods.


There were one or two trees still hanging on though so we haven't missed out completely.


Lotherton has some beautiful trees, all different kinds, but there's quite a few horse chestnut trees and they look magnificent at this time of year when they're adorned with their 'candles', the upright flower spikes.


The wisteria in the William and Mary garden is past its best but still looks glorious growing against the walls.


We came across many juvenile birds during our walk which just sat there and looked at us. I suppose they've been so used to having the whole of the grounds to themselves since they've been born, we must be the first humans they've come across. Luckily, Archie isn't bothered by birds and chooses to just ignore them.

Archie enjoyed his walk and then it was back home for a couple more treats and an afternoon snooze before being served his favourite meal, fish. I think he had a good birthday.

33 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Archie :-) It's good that we can now get out more, we have to learn to live with this virus and it's best we get on with it, in a sensible way.

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  2. Simple things make so much difference to our lives, glad you enjoyed your walk.

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  3. Have Birthday to Archie ! What a cute doggy ! Your orchard walk was beautiful. I will look up Horse Chestnut trees today as I am unfamiliar with them unless we call them by another name here in the states. The Wisteria is beautiful. Very pleasant post thank you.

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  4. Happy Birthday Archie! My favourite presents are the edible ones, too.

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  5. Happy birthday Archie. Wish I could be there to give you a pat. We've many horse chestnuts here as street trees & I love them. Glad you could get out & about a bit. We are still pretty limited to what we can do. Thanks for sharing, especially Lotherton. Take care, stay safe and huggles.

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  6. It looks and sounds like Archie had a lovely birthday with lots of favourite things. xx

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  7. Happy Birthday to Archie :) What a lovely, lovely day he had. It's good that some restrictions have been lifted and we can venture further afield, but we still need to be careful. Take care. Best, Jane x

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  8. Happy birthday to Archie. It looks as if you had a good day at Lotherton with a quiet walk and change of scene.

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  9. Sounds like he had a wonderful day out. Happy birthday, Archie.

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  10. Belated birthday wishes to Archie, so pleased he enjoyed his special day :)

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  11. Happy birthday Archie. I must day a huge WOW to that display of wild garlic. Oh my goodness, I been looking around here for weeks not one piece. What a beautiful Wisteria too. Glad you made the most of the changes to lockdown.

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  12. Sounds like a wonderful day both for you and the birthday boy. What a great walk.

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  13. Happy birthday to Archie. I bet that he smelled fairly garlicky

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  14. Happy Birthday to Archie, what a beautiful place to visit it sounds like Archie had a lovely day, xx

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  15. What a wonderful way to spend a birthday...I cant believe Archie is 10!! Polly will be 4 this year and we should be spending her Birthday down south but at the moment we aren't sure we will be able to travel...none the less we will do something amazing for her birthday. Glad it was nice and peaceful for your walk. They are the best kind!!

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  16. An extra birthday gift that Lotherton was opened for Archie's birthday. What a treat for you all.
    Happy Birthday Archie!

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  17. Happy birthday, Archie! Edible presents are the best kind! :o)

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  18. I wish Archie a happy birthday! I can see why Lotherton is one of his favorite places -- it looks beautiful, especially at this time of year. Glad some of your restrictions are lifted, Jo. We are still on lockdown as we are quite close to New York City leading to our county beeing a hotspot for the virus. I was so happy to take this virtual walk with you and Archie. P. x

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  19. Happy birthday Archie! What a great celebration and how nice to be able to get back to Lotherton after being stuck in for so long. Love the photo of Archie in the garlic.

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  20. Happy Birthday to Archie, how wonderful to be able to take him to his favourite place for a walk! It looks so lovely with everything in bloom.

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  21. Happy Birthday to darling Archie, it looks like he had a splendid day.

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  22. What a wonderful place to walk. I've never seen white garlic, had no idea garlic had such pretty flowers. Glad you've got a bit of freedom and that it wasn't crowded. Sadly here people have gone wild with crowding places, so I'm continue to walk through the neighborhood instead. Happy Birthday!
    Sandy's Space

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  23. Aww it looks and sounds as if Archie had a wonderful birthday.
    Lovely to see him in your photographs and so nice to see your pictures from Lotherton.

    Enjoy the new week ahead.

    All the best Jan

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  24. What luck that Archie was able to celebrate his birthday enjoying some freedom and roaming his favourite park!

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  25. Happy Birthday to that adorable pup! What joy the bring

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  26. Happy Birthday Archie! How lovely that he got to visit his favourite place on his birthday. The wild garlic looks so pretty!
    I haven't gone far yet but I like the idea that I can now visit the beach if I want to.
    xx

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  27. I love seas of wild garlic.
    I've heard a couple of times that creatures in zoos are missing the entertainment of humans walking by. In one report, tigers were walking towards their fences whenever people walked by - they usually ignore them. In another, fish were getting bored without the usual visitors to look at! This is a new thought too - a whole generation of birds and animals that aren't beginning their lives by learning humans (and dogs!) can mean danger.

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  28. Happy (belated) birthday to Archie, it sounds like he really enjoyed his day and the edible presents met with his approval :)

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  29. Happy birthday to Archie, what a great day to have a birthday. That is a lovely walk. Is that a crow chick?xxx

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    Replies
    1. I'm not 100% sure, I get mixed up with all the different black birds, but I think it is.

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