Sunrise 08:12 Sunset16:11

The last day of the year, where has it gone! It’s been a busy one and I’ve enjoyed being out and about and taking pictures along the way. Late December has been very mild and there are signs of spring, a little too early. I spotted this little Celandine flowering at the top of our road they usually brighten up the verges in March. Even Catkins are lengthening ready to pollinate the little flowers on the Hazel. The birds are out there singing away and quite often in pairs. The start of January isn’t going to be as kind with frost on the way and much colder temperatures, I hope it slows things down we don’t want spring yet!

I’m hearing quite a few Tawny Owls in the morning as I go on my early morning walk, still very dark and dawn is still three minutes later than the shortest day and it’s not going to start to improve until around 10th January when dawn is a minute earlier each day.

We’ve had more rain during December and the banks of the Stour came over for a day or two. The paths and lanes are very muddy, much harder to walk on.

At last the Sheep are on Hambledon Hill so Tilly will have to stay on the lead when we are up there, it’s quite a large flock but they have a big area to roam.

On the day after Boxing Day, 27th December I woke up to fog in the valley so I walked up Hambledon Hill, I wasn’t sure if I could make it after indulging in too many goodies over Christmas but I made it and so glad I did as the fog was lying in the valley and I spent some time taking pictures. As the sun came up the fog came up the hillside and as I walked down the fog engulfed us and we couldn’t see anything and it was chilly!

The National Trust are removing the fence alongside the Bridleway onver the hill, sort of sad to see it go as it always played a big part in my picture composition, an ideal leading line taking us down the Blackmore Vale and beyond, still the path will still be there.

Hopefully 2019 will bring plenty of interesting things for me to see, enjoy and of course photograph.