Up to 2006 we lived close by where I sat writing this. We decided to leave for two reasons, firstly it is the wettest place in Cornwall and secondly there were financial considerations so we left and made a home 45 minutes south of Alicante. Summers in Spain are hot and we have discussed many times how we could get out of the heat and humidity, if we could.
Last September the three of us, Michelle, my son Matt had the same conversation to which I added ‘I still have a piece of land in Cornwall’. So the idea began to germinate. Matt is a camper and loves being outdoors. Then the researching, planning and examination of the possibilities took place. Ten months later we were where we planned to be.
NOW TO WRITING This is my first blog in weeks as we have been on the move, traveling from Spain, through France and then up to Harrogate, and finally to North Cornwall. I still cast an eye over the sites I follow: Raptor Persecution as always, Legal Justice, Protect The Wild and The SABS too. There has not been time to forward their posts as we have so much to research and evaluate. We have been fully wrapped up in our North Cornish Adventure surrounded by natural beauty that we love. We have an oasis where plant, birds and the insects are thriving. On the edge of the moor there is less intensive farming as in the case lower down. The grassy fields are fertilized naturally. The hedgerows offer an abundance of vegetation and each dog walk allows me to discover and identify other species. The dogs investigate all the smells and show me small animal routes. The badgers have well worn paths as they journey over hedgerows. Other species may use them too.
Our ‘Platt’ is small but a haven for wildlife and ourselves. We left it 17 years ago for the wild where Blackthorn became ‘king’. The ‘digger’ came in to uproot it. The mass of blackthorn was reduced by chipping but the tangly roots we are left with. There is in a mound 6 feet high, at least six across and 30 foot in length.. We will investigate its inhabitants at some stage. It’s covered in nettle, ferns and Himalayan Balsam. That particular flower has been a source of nourishment for bees and insects and helped them through the storms. Firstly Antoni and then Betty. They blew hard.
Each morning the vegetation on this root mass is a gentle hum of insects, honey bees and Buff-tailed Bumble Bees. I hope to create more feeding opportunities for them by adding to the naturally growing wild flowers. We will consider carefully how we do this. By clearing the site opportunity has been given to everything else other than the mass of Blackthorn that dominated. Its value is still treasured. Grasses are now growing tall and are seeding as well as all the flowers that have sprung now they can see the sun.
I had intended to write on a regular basis but this was not possible. Fortunately, Michelle and the camera through Face Book sent out reports daily. We were entertained often by the feathered inhabitants and when possible photographed. This young Dunnock, although not easy to spot, offered its young self for a moment, and the camera recorded it. I was pleased to see a juvenile as that indicated a breeding success.
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