I flew back to Manchester Airport from Abu Dhabi on 29th November. Then caught the train to Ilkley, where Rowan was waiting for me. Ilkley was all dressed up in its Christmas lights & looked really nice.
The main street in Ilkley
Adorned with Christmas lights.
The Parlour, Grange Farm
The view! Notice the very muddy farm track!
Looking back towards the town.
European Goldfinches are common
on garden feeders in the village.
They add a great splash of colour
on a drab winters day.
Hedge Accentor
European Robin
Long tailed Tit
Carrion Crow
on garden feeders in the village.
on a drab winters day.
Callum & Rowan had recently moved in to their new home in the tiny village of Middleton, just above Ilkley. It is in a lovely setting & the accommodation is a converted milking parlour. They had also just got a dog from a local rescue centre.
Looking towards Ilkley from Carter Lane.
Rowan & Lola
Looking north towards the moors.
She is pretty big!
Red Kite
This rare bird, is thankfully common around here.
A bit of a contrast between the Yorkshire Dales
& central London!
Nicci's Cafe.
Nicci & Sara, dressed as elves!
Heather & Nicci with some of the 300
gingerbread men they made!
Peaches & her friend working the stall.
Me, with my grandchildren: Gabriel & Peaches.
The whole street had been transformed.
One of the local characters.
& central London!
gingerbread men they made!
On the 4th December I travelled down to Surrey via London, to see Nicci & the family, drop off presents etc. The visit coincided with the annual Ewell Village Fayre, which was a lot of fun.
Back in Yorkshire: dawn, from the farm.
Rowan & me.
Typical Yorkshire Dales landscape.
Rowan
Rowan rides every week on a local farm.
Dawn over the moors.
Eurasian Kestrel
This bird was very intent on its hunting
& allowed a close approach.
This species is common in upland areas.
Red Grouse
All of the heather moors are managed for this species
To the detriment of biodiversity!
One of the many traps put out to kill large mammals
on the moors.
Mallard
European Black headed Gull in winter plumage.
In the pub!
& allowed a close approach.
on the moors.
On 13th December I was up early & did a long walk over the moors & through the woods to Trimble, where I enjoyed a great pub lunch before retracing my steps & getting home just after dark. The highlight of the day was a Rough legged Buzzard which was hunting over the high moors. It eventually drifted east. Other notable species included 13 Red Kite; 4 Common Buzzard; Peregrine; 85 Red Grouse & 200+ European Golden Plover. There was a mixed flock of around 60 Siskin & Lesser Redpoll in the wood.
Justin & Nicci celebrating.
I thought the card was appropriate!
Happy birthday Nicci!
Our family tradition was always to celebrate Nicci's birthday & then put up the Christmas decorations that evening. We still do that today.
Tom, dressed like my twin!
On 17th December I went out birding with Tom. We had the car, so went a little further afield. First port of call was Beaver Dyke Reservoir. The weather was fine but the birding a little dull. best were 15 Eurasian Teal; 3 Red Kite & a Common Buzzard. There were also a few small flocks of Fieldfares in nearby hedgerows, which are always great to see.
It is a beautiful spot.
Great Cormorant
Still a few around on the reservoirs.
I thought most would have moved to the
coast by now.
Eurasian Teal
Male with two females.
There is a great path around both reservoirs.
Long tailed Tit
Our next stop was a walk around Swinsty & Fewston Reservoirs. This is always a good stroll with plenty of Eurasian Teal & 3 European Wigeon on the water. Lots of nice woodland birds, with parties of Long tailed Tits being in evidence.
The next day, 18th December was Rowan's big day! It was her masters graduation ceremony from Leeds University in Business & Sustainability. We enjoyed our time in Leeds & then came back to celebrate.
Beaver Dyke Reservoir
Well wrapped up for the conditions.
Swinsty Reservoir
I thought most would have moved to the
coast by now.
Rowan's big day!
Callum & Rowan
The proud Daddy!
The proof!
Late in the afternoon.
In the pub.
Across the lane from Grange Farm
The lane that we live off.
Taking the dogs out.
Rowan, Joe, me & Morag
Tom & me.
Rowan, me & Lola!
In Abu Dhabi: Ahmed & Ali
get plugged in for Christmas!
It's Christmas Day!
Lots of pressies!
Callum, Rowan & Lola.
Christmas dinner!
Me & Rowan.
Johnny & Toni in Oz.
Christmas in Oz!
Nice attire Johnny!
Ahmed & Clare in Italy.
The London faction of the family.
Peaches & Gabe
get plugged in for Christmas!
Getting close to Christmas now, plenty of time in the pub!
We are truly a global family, scattered all over the world: Australia; UAE; Surrey & Yorkshire in England. It is just not possible for us all to be together but it is nice to see what they are doing on this special day.
Delana
View from the beach house.
A large flock of Cape Cormorants.
The beautifully decorated balcony.
The house is looking very pretty.
The table is set!
Merry Christmas!
Anelle & Delana
The balcony, looking over the ocean.
A glorious sunset from the beach house.
Looking back towards the valley.
A ray of light in the gloom.
It was pretty blowy
on the tops.
Looking down into Nidderdale from the beacons.
One of the streams that
flows into the river.
Grey Heron
Goosander
Bad light meant the images are not very sharp.
Male
Female
The magnificent Bolton Abbey.
on the tops.
flows into the river.
On 28th December I decided to do a big hike. I walked over the moors to Bolton Abbey & back via the river. It was a circuit of just over 15 miles so I felt it in my legs the next day. Unfortunately I picked a drab, grey day, so didn't obtain any really nice photos.
Delana
And before you know it the year was over! Delana was with friends, at her beach house in The Cape. Where has the year gone?
