A Doorstep Oasis

A discovery on one's own doorstep, at least within fifteen to twenty minutes walk, is something well worth reporting. Helen decided it might be a good idea to have a little walk, this morning, before the heat became unbearable (once more). After some fifteen minutes, we approached the pond where we had seen the juvenile newts a few weeks ago; what had happened, in spite of yesterdays torrential rain the pond appeared to be dried up!

A walk along a pathway, previously too waterlogged to tread, we found it was possible to cross "the pond" at what had been it's widest point ... and that without getting our feet wet; no, I'm not talking miraculous events, the ground was reasonably dry and firm. What had happened to our pond? A path, at what would have been the far side of the watery place, led us to an area of ponds and marshland, with a duck-walk 0r two to ease the traverse. The margins of these areas were flanked with Flag Iris and Bulrushes ... we had found our oasis from the "shock"of the dried-out pond. An oasis for amphibians as well as us mere mortals and, we rejoiced in the presence of Sand Martins and Buntings as we leisurely ambled around.

Evidently, this wetland reserve is on the site of the old clay pits from a brick-making industry. As we reached the metalled track beyond the marshes, we spotted the start of the narrow pathway from which we usually viewed the temporarily absent pond.

The feelgood factor abounds; after omitting (for atmospheric reasons) the last few days of brisk brief walks, we have stumbled upon our doorstep reserve. It is almost as if the mountain has come to Mohammed!